Uncategorized – First Baptist Church of Glens Falls

Worship: February 28, 2021

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship

Leader: We continue our Lenten “season of recovery” as we focus on heal as essential to our spiritual lives.

Lenten Refrain (Sung)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Leader: God gathers us as a Beachcomber gathers and marvels at every precious surviving piece of beach glass she finds.
People: We are never alone, we are never lost to the One who seeks humanity’s wholeness.
Leader: We affirm our commitment to be the Body of Christ that knows we cannot be personally healed until we see the interconnected community as par to the healing process.
People: Jesus has the power to re-vision the family of God in which false boundaries are overcome.
Leader: In a year of devastating loss of livelihood,
People: we consider the economic health that reimagines status quo.

Lenten Refrain (Sung)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Hymn: Community of Christ (to melody of The Battle Is the Lord’s)

Community of Christ, who make the cross your own,
live out your creed and risk your life for God alone:
the God who wears your face, to whom all worlds belong,
whose children are of every race and every song.

Community of Christ, look past the church’s door
and see the refugee, the hungry, and the poor.
Take hands with the oppressed, the jobless in your street,
take towel and water, that you wash your neighbor’s feet.

Community of Christ, through whom the word must sound-
cry out for justice and for peace the whole world round:
disarm the powers that war and all that can destroy,
turn bombs to bread, and tears of anguish into joy.

When menace melts away, so shall God’s will be done,
the climate of the world be peace and Christ its sun;
our currency be love and kindliness our law,
our food and faith be shared as one for ev-er-more.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Leader: Let us acknowledge our need to restore, repair, renew our Holy Vessels, which include the communities of which we are a part. Let us pray:

You created us for each other. You set in us a yearning for companionship and an empathy that binds us together, protecting each other and delighting in one another. Yet too often we have broken down our relationships instead of building them up. We have been set against one another with the lie of scarcity. We have built systems and economics that widen the gap of resources rather than safeguarding equitable practices. Too many, and growing numbers, are suffering hardship, food insecurity, joblessness. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss and so we look away, sometimes even from the need in our own community. Help us, Healer. Show us our empathy. Forgive our complacence. Move us to move one step at ta time toward greater care for one another. We sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness praying: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lenten Refrain (Sung)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Offering

Special Music

Prayer for Offering

Almighty God, we thank you for the covenant which you have opened to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Accept these offerings with the dedication of our lives, that we may be for the world a sign of your abiding love and a testament to your enduring promise. In Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

In your love, make us whole.

Hymn: We Are Called to Be God’s People

We are called to be God’s people, showing by our lives his grace,
one in hart and one in spirit, sing of hope for all the race.
Let us show how he has changed us, and remade us as his own,
let us share our life together as we shall around his throne.

We are called to be God’s servants, working in his world today;
taking his own task upon us, all his sacred words obey.
Let us rise, then, to his summons, dedicated to him our all,
that we may be faithful servants, quick to answer now his call.

We are called to be God’s prophets, speaking for the truth and right,
standing firm for godly justice, bringing evil things to lights.
Let us seek the courage needed, our high calling to fulfill,
that the world may know the blessing of the doing of God’s will.

Scripture: Matthew 8: 5-13

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.

Questions to Ponder:

The centurion (army commander), a non-Jew, is not a part of the community of Jesus followers. The servant for whom he is advocating is a gentile and a slave, “the ultimate nobody.” Yet Jesus responds to them. What sort of imaginary boundaries do we have when it comes to the Body of Christ or Kingdom of God?
In what ways does our community (church, city, region, state, country) create boundaries?
In what ways are we living out the Kin-dom in which all people come together around the table of God?
How are we, through the power of Jesus Christ bringing healing and wholeness to our communities? If we are not, what do we need to start doing?
Do we believe that through Jesus, we can bring healing to our communities?

Hymn: The Voice of God is Calling

The voice of God is calling to women and to men;
the voice once heard in Zion, resounds on earth again:
whom shall I sent to succor my people in their need?
Whom shall I send to loosen the bonds of shame and greed?

I hear my people crying in slum and mine and mill;
no field or mart is silent, no city street is still.
I see my people falling in darkness and despair.
Whom shall I send to shatter the getters which they bear?

We heed, O God, your summons, and answer: Here are we!
Spend us upon your errand; let us your servants be.
Our strength is dust and ashes, our years a passing hour,
But you can use our weakness to magnify your power.

From ease and plenty save us; from pride and place absolve;
purge us of low desire; life us to high resold;
take us, and make us holy; teach us your will and way.
Speak, and, behold! We answer; command, and we obey!

Blessing

Now go with confidence that the Holy Beachcomber is gathering us all for “Safe Keeping,” recovering our depth of love for all and our joy of living in this world. May the words of Jesus ring in your ears: “I will come.” And may the Spirit hover, move, and deliver salve to your soul and a spring in your step.

Lenten Refrain (Sung Solo)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Postlude

Worship: February 21, 2021

YouTube Link

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship

Leader: Each of us is created a precious and holy vessel of embodied love. We have been through a harrowing time since last Lent that has shattered our sense of wholeness- body-mind, and spirit- like a glass vessel fractured into pieces. Let us enter a Lenten “season of recovery” as we focus on Jesus, the Healer of our every ill.

Lenten Refrain (Sung Solo)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Leader: Beach glass begins as something whole and yet discarded. As it tumbled by the sea, it is broken and polished until it becomes a treasured “mineral gem.”

People: We do not embrace that suffering is necessary or God-given, but that suffering a part of life.

Leader: When pain comes and brokenness enters our lives,

People: Jesus reaches out to touch and remind us

Leader: of the Treasure that we all are-

People: worthy of new life in the midst of hopelessness.

Leader: In a year when pandemic has wreaked havoc on our world,

People: we begin by affirming our journey to physical health.

Lenten Refrain (Sung Solo)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill

Refrain:

Healer of our ev’ry ill, light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow.

You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.

In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all you vision, God of love.

Give us strength to love each other,
ev’ry sister, ev’ry brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.

You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Leader: Lent developed into a season of intense inward reflection and confession centuries after the life of Jesus. Yet, as we will see, Jesus encouraged people to open up about their lives- to speak truth- no matter how broken. This is the beginning of compassion for ourselves and others. It is the beginning of healing. The Latin origins of the word “confess” is to “study and acknowledge.” This will be a season of studying how we can be a healing presence in our community. To do this, we acknowledge our need to restore our own Holy Vessels. Let us pray:

Creator God, we are bodies fashioned by your hand in your own image, shapes and colors of diverse and immense beauty. And yet too often we have ignored the sacred nature of our physical lives. The Holy Vessels you have fashioned are tired and suffering, ravaged by months of disrupted rhythms and ailments. Our fragility has come into full view and we are frightened. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss and so we look away, sometimes even from our own needs. Help us, Healer. Show us our strength. Forgive our inertia. Move us to move one step at a time toward greater care. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lenten Refrain (Sung Solo)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Offering

Special Music

Prayer for Offering

God of steadfast love and faithfulness, we are humbled as we try to do what is right and to walk in your ways. Receive, we ask, these offerings, and use them for your own good purposes in the church and in all creation. We pray in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

In your love, make us whole.

Hymn: Heal, Us Immanuel, Hear Our Prayer

Heal us, Immanuel, hear our prayer; we wait to feel your touch;
deep wounded souls to you repair, and, Savior, we are such.

Our faith is feeble, we confess; we faintly trust your word;
but will you pity us the less? Be that far from you, Lord!

Remember him who once applied with trembling for relief;
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried: “O help my unbelief.”

She, too, who touched you in the press, and healing virtue stole,
was answered, “Daughter, go in peace: your faith has made you whole.”

Like her, with hopes and fears we come to touch you if we may;
O send us not despairing home, send none unhealed away.

Scripture: Matthew 8: 1-4; 16-17

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself ot the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

That evening they brought him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Questions to Ponder:

Not many of us have gone through something so dramatic as to be completely socially exiled, physically healed, and reintegrated into the community that, for so long, feared and shunned us. Can you imagine why this man would want to back to the temple?
The worship community, despite its shortcomings, must have offered something to this child of God that he could not find somewhere else. What kind of hope and healing do we come to religion seeking?
How are we reaching out to people in pain?
Jesus’ touch of the leper was an outrageous act. By doing it, he signaled that these people were not outside the kingdom of God, but that they are family, worthy of touch. Who is missing in our communities? How do our local rules (in church and in our towns) include or exclude people who long to belong?
We are all treasured by God. We are beautiful and belong. How can we help people feel this deeply?

Hymn: Heal Me, Hands of Jesus

Heal me, hands of Jesus, and search out all my pain;
restore my home, remove my fear and bring me peace again.

Cleanse me, blood of Jesus, bake bitterness away;
let me forgive as one forgiven, and bring me peace today.

Know me, mind of Jesus, and show me all my sin;

Dispel the memories of guilt and bring me peace within.

Fill me, joy of Jesus, anxiety shall cease,

And heaven’s serenity be mine, for Jesus brings me peace.

Blessing

Now go with confidence as “Treasures of God,” recovering your depth of love for all and our joy of living in this world. May the words of Jesus ring in your ears: “I do choose you.” And may the Spirit hover and move, and deliver salve to your soul and a spring in your step.

Lenten Refrain (Sung Solo)
Vessels, holy and whole
Broken, needing the One
Open, body and soul
Healer, come.

Postlude

Worship: February 14, 2021

YouTube Link

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: From Isaiah 40

Leader: For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
People: But then we will see face to face.
L: Now I know only in part;
P: Then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
L: And now faith, hope and love abide, these three:
P: And the greatest of these is love.
L: Come, let us worship God,
P: Who is Love, and will reveal all to those who are faithful.

Hymn: My Savior’s Love

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

God of Steadfast Love and Mercy, help us to pull back the veil and notice how You are at work in our lives and in the world around us. Help us to find Your secret notes for us in the turning leaves and new buds and shoots. Guide us to find Your messages in the snowprints of Your creatures and the dripping of icicles. Lead us to the knowledge of Your love in the care and compassion of our neighbors and friends, and help us to share Your love messages with others in our own acts of mercy and forgiveness. You are at work, in us and through us and around us; help us to reveal Your works to the world. We pray as Jesus taught: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music

Prayer for Offering

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the light of love around us and the fire of faith within us. As we go forth from this place let our lives reflect the One who is the image of your glory: Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen

Prayer of the Day

Lord, by your Spirit, grant what we ask.

Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[^a^]?

²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Questions to Ponder:

Often this scripture talks about worry, but today I want you to ponder your value according to this scripture. What are some ways that your value is communicated in this passage?
Verse 26 states “Are you not more valuable than they?”- When was a time you felt valued?
What makes you feel unvalued?
By what authority does someone assign value to you? Media (TV, advertisements), People’s opinions, comparison… where do you look for your value?
How can you lose your value?
Do you not know, have you not heard… YOU ARE VALUABLE! God sees you as valuable.
What does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and his righteous ness first?
Now let’s look at our neighbors. Do they have value? (of course!!!!)
How are we communicating that value to them in our everyday interactions with them?

Hymn: All the Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Blessing

Postlude

Worship: February 7, 2021

YouTube Link

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: From Isaiah 40

Leader: Have we not known? Have we not heart?
People: Has it not been told to use since the beginning?
L: Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
P: they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
L: They shall run and not be weary;
P: They shall walk and not faint.

Hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree, and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,

For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight,

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, brother sister, parent child,

friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Gracious God, you call us to follow Christ and spread the good news of your love for all people. Help us to become all things to all people that we might reach many with your good news; in Jesus’ name we pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music

Prayer for Offering

We sing to you, God, with thanksgiving making melody to you with our praise. Use these gifts to spread your gospel near and far, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN

Prayer of the Day

Hymn: I Love to Tell the Story

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain: I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, ‘tis pleasant to repeat

What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God’s own Holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.

And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,

‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14 (MSG)

^11-12It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

^13-14It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

Ephesians 1: 11-14 (NIV)

¹¹In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Questions to Ponder:

Who are you and what are you living for?
The scripture says: long before you knew Christ, he already knew you and had a purpose for you. What sort of feelings does this bring up for you?
When we put our faith in Christ, you are “marked with the Holy Spirit” as a member of God’s family. How does this influence your everyday (Sunday through Saturday) living?

Hymn: Just As I Am, without One Plea

Just as I am, without one plea that thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, bling, sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in thee I find, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Blessing

Postlude

Worship: January 31, 2021

Youtube Video

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: Psalm 46

¹God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[^c^]

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise his name- I’m fixed upon it- name of God’s redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger, bought me with his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!

Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O, take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Almighty God, Light from Light, who commands the universe and all that is made, your Word is the power that makes whole what is broken, the force of good, and the food of peace. Teach us now as you taught in the synagogue. Heal us now so that in all that we say and do, the freedom we have in you may be for others too; in Jesus’ name we pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music

Prayer for Offering

For earth, which you have molded, for creatures and animals, plants, water, air, and fire, for Jesus who died and rose again, for the breath of life, we give you thanks, O God. Let these gifts be used for good wherever there is need, in the name of all that you have first given us, especially Christ Jesus, your Son, our Savior. AMEN

Prayer of the Day

Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

Hymn: Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word, what a glory she sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he will richly repay;
not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the alter we lay;
for the favor he shows and the joy he bestows are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we’ll walk by his side in the way;

What he says we will do, where he sends we will go- never fear, only trust and obey.

Scripture: Galatians 6: 4-10 (MSG)

^4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

⁶Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.

^7-8Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

^9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Questions to Ponder

In the eyes of God, who are you and what work have you been given?
Take some time to write out the God-given qualities of “You”.
What are some examples of a “self-sufficient maturity?”
What have you planted in your life?
What is you would like to plant?
What changes do you need to make in your life to plant “in response to God”?
Are you tired?
How does the community of faith give us encouragement and energy to continue?
Challenge: Reach out to someone this week to encourage them. If you need encouragement, reach out to someone for encouragement.

Hymn: He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

He leadeth me, O blessed thought, O words of heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain: He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me!

His faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine,
content, whatever lot I see, since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory’s won,

E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Blessing

Postlude

Worship: January 24, 2021

YouTube Video

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: Psalm 63

¹You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

²I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
³Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
⁴I will praise you as long as I live,    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

⁶On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸I cling to you;    your right hand upholds me.

⁹Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
¹⁰They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

¹¹But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Hymn: Come, Christians, Join to Sing

Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!

Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!

Let all, with heart and voice, before his throne rejoice;

Praise is his gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen!

Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!

He is our Guide and Friend; to us he’ll condescend;

His love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again, Alleluia! Amen!

Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!

On heaven’s blissful shore his goodness we’ll adore,

Singing forevermore, Alleluia! Amen!

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

The present form of this world is passing away. Therefore, help us to keep our focus on you, Lord, for true power and steadfast love belong to you. We pray together: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music Don and Meg Shuler, Miriam Enman

Prayer for Offering

Great God, accept these gifts we offer as we wait in hope for your coming again. Use all that we have and all that we are as you bring light in every darkness, ease heavy burdens, and turn our endless warring into your endless peace. In Christ’s name, we ask it. AMEN

Prayer of the Day

Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,

That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

Breath on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,

Until my will is one with thine, to do and to endure.

Breath on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine,

Until this earthly part of me glow with thy fire divine.

Breath on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die,

But live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

Scripture: Psalm 62

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”

Questions to Ponder Regarding Both Psalm 62 (Scripture) AND 63 (Call to Worship)

What stands out to you in each Psalm?
These Psalms were written by David. What do you remember about David?
How does your knowledge of David change the words of the Psalm you are reading?
Which phrases give you hope?
What are some praises of God given in both Psalms? How can you use these words to give praise this week?
Which phrases trouble you?
“Psalm 62 ends by saying, ‘God you repay to all according to their work.’ Some of us may find that statement unsettling. Would you rather have God treat you with payment you deserve or with the grace that you hope for in Jesus Christ?”
If you were to write a Psalm (a song or a prayer) to God this week, what phrases would you use? Take some time to write a song or prayer to God.
Which are some of the promises that you can cling to this week?
What is one way you can foster a deeper faith this week?

Hymn: O Master, Let me Walk with Thee

O Master, let me walk with thee in lowly paths of service free;

Tell me thy secret: help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;

Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience- still with thee in closer, dearer company,

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong;

In hope that sense a shining ray far down the future’s broadening way,

In peace that only thou canst give, with thee, O master, let me live.

Blessing

Postlude

Worship: January 17, 2021

Youtube Video

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)

I kneel before the Father,

From whom his whole family

In heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that our of his glorious riches

He may strengthen you with power

Through his Spirit in your inner being,

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you,

Being rooted and established in love,

May have power,

Together with all the saints,

To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-

That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him

Who is able to do immeasurably more

Than all we ask or imagine,

According to his power that is at work within us,

To him be glory in the church

And in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

For ever and ever!

Amen.

I Love to Tell the Story

I love to tell the story of unseen things above:
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story. ’Tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy word. [Refrain]

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me, I pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music Sue Dalby, Beth LePan, Miriam Enman

Prayer for Offering

Bless in every way, O Lord, the gifts of the people here given. Enrich the ministries of your people and make us grateful to be able to let go of the things we do not, finally , own. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

God of Grace, hear our prayer.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that our of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Questions to Ponder:

What does it mean for Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith?
Paul prays that you are to be rooted and established in love. What does it look like for your faith to be rooted and established?
What has rooted and established your faith?
When was a time when the love of Christ surprised you by how wide, long, high and deep it appeared?
What has grown your faith?
What effort have you put into tending your faith?
“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today Is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people. -Richard Foster”
What does it mean for us to be deep people?
What is one way you can foster a deeper faith this week?

Blessing

Postlude

Worship: January 10, 2021

Youtube Link

1/10/2021

Prelude Miriam Enman

Call to Worship: Psalm 29

A Psalm of David.

¹Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
²Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

³The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
⁴The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
⁵The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
    Sirionlike a young wild ox.
⁷The voice of the Lord strikes
    with flashes of lightning.
⁸The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
    the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
⁹The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

¹⁰The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
¹¹The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

God of heaven and earth, we gather in the name of Jesus to hear your hold Word and to be immersed in your Spirit. Speak to us with grace and truth and pour out your love upon us so that this temple may resound with joyful shots of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Special Music Tenasia Longacker

Prayer for Offering

We give you thanks, O God, for every blessing and spiritual gift you have poured out upon us. Let the gifts of our lives be a source of blessing in your world, all to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Give strength, O Lord… and bless us with peace.

Sprit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me:

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, move among us all;

Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:

Humble, caring, selfless, sharing

Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!

Gospel Text: Mark 1: 4-11

⁴John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

⁹In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;^[^a^] with you I am well pleased.”

Questions to Ponder:

What does baptism mean to you?
What is the difference between baptism with water alone (John’s baptism) and baptism with the Holy Spirit (baptism into Jesus)?
Why is it still important to use water in baptism?
What does water mean in your daily life?
What difference does the Holy Spirit make in baptism
What difference does the Holy Spirit make in your daily life?
This is one place in Scripture where we have the Triune God together (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). How are they Three and yet One?
When we are baptized, we make promises to God, to self and to our fellow believers, which promises do you remember?
In the Book of Common Prayer’s Baptismal Covenant, the celebrant asks the whole membership (body of Christ) a series of theological questions to affirm and remember in their baptized lives. The last question is appropriate for these stormy days: “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

May we respond as the people are asked:

“I will, with God’s help.”

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine

O what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

I’m born of his Spirit and washed in his blood

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy and whispers of love

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blessed

You know I’m watching and waiting, I’m looking above

Filled with His goodness and I’m lost in his love

Blessing

Postlude

Login for Coffee Hour

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https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/93401838197

Meeting ID: 934 0183 8197

Christmas Eve 2020

Bulletin for Facebook Online Worship

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Order of Worship:

Prelude “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” Miriam Enman

Welcome Pastor Stephanie Schneider

Hymn “The First Noel, the Angel Did Say” Miriam, Stephanie, Kathie, Chelsea

The first Noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherd in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

Call to Worship Pastor Stephanie Schneider

Our Savior’s birth is celebrated with bold faith.