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Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Let us give thanks for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties, for all the wonder of our country’s story. We give you thanks, O God. For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth. We give you thanks, O God. For those, who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world’s common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows. We give you thanks, O God. For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service. We give you thanks, O God. Almighty God, and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering them with gratitude and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen. Permission for one-time use in worship granted by The Armed Forces Chaplains’ Board, Washington, D.C. *Hymn 331 God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand Prayer of Confession God of every nation, as we remember those who gave their lives for the sake of the nation, let us be stirred to action in their memory. We confess that we have not done all that is possible to promote peace and justice in our world. We have not loved our neighbors, let alone our enemies. Forgive us for failing to live up to your commandments. Empower us to work for your kingdom in this world, and welcome us by your grace into your eternal realm. *Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Amen. First Reading Micah 6:6-8 Moments With Our Young Disciples New Testament Reading Romans 8:31-39 The Morning Message Five words that strike terror in the heart of every preacher: “Explain the Trinity to me.” Good luck. We stammer around and try to compare God in three persons to things found in nature- like a three-leaved shamrock. Or to the three forms of water- ice, water, and vapor. I seriously tried to get a trinity illustration out of the robin family that took up residence on our windowsill, but I couldn’t really get any traction. It should reassure me and us that generations of Christians have debated the right way to explain this doctrine. It arose around the time of the Council of Nicaea, which convened in the fourth century. The trinity doctrine gets us in trouble with our Jewish and Muslim associates because we claim to worship one God as they do. Usually they are kind about it, but there have been some unnecessary insults hurled at those who do worship One God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In doing some research this week, I ran across an essay by Alyce McKenzie, a contemporary theologian. It is a unique take on the subject. I hope it is helpful. She writes, There is a Norwegian proverb that goes, “ All good things come in threes.” I’d agree with that as I have three children, all daughters. Alyce says she has friends who are parents to a young child, Katie. Good name. Katie’s mom, dad and grandmother all shared in childcare for little Katie. This incidence happened when she was two. Dad was preparing dinner. He left the oven door open while he turned around to retrieve a tray of chicken to be roasted. Then he heard the scream. Katie had come right behind him and put her hands directly on the inside of the oven door. It was right within her reach. Of course he rushed her to the hospital, calling his wife along the way. Katie lay quietly on a stretcher in the ER, the doctor applying medication and wrapping her burned hands. Katie kept her her eyes squeezed shut. Remarkably, she wasn’t crying. But she was mouthing over and over, these words: “Mommy, Daddy, Grandma. Mommy, Daddy, Grandma.” The Trinity according to Katie. We can all take a page out of a two-year-old’s playbook. When we are in trouble, unable to affect the outcome of some situation, we would do well to put such a mantra to work. Mine is, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” A good and effective one would be “Come, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” You see, when we concentrate on something repetitive, we can control wild-running thoughts and fears. We invoke the presence of the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. As Christians, the witness of Scripture is to the Power of Three, even though the term never appears in scripture. But we do have many many examples testifying of the function and nature of the Triune God. Fortunately, three seems to be easiest number to remember. The Rule of Three is a principle that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things. Audiences and readers are more likely to consume information presented in threes, like plays that have a beginning, a middle, and an end. The same could be said of sermons. Some preachers like to organize their thoughts like that. There is a Latin phrase, omne trium perfectum. Everything that comes in threes is perfection or complete. Then there are the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Three Billy Goats Bluff. We sit down to eat with a knife, fork, and spoon. We hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. We are threatened occasionally by lions, tigers, and bears. We buy a campaign hook, line, and sinker. We affirm that each American is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have three branches of government to help us achieve that end. Robert Frost said it this way, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life.” “It goes on.” And since it does go on, we should recognize that we have made it here to face another day. Let us call on the Power of the Three as we live out this day: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, acknowledging with gratitude the One who created us, the one who saves us, and the One who guides us. *Hymn 730 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithe and Offering Offertory *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 338 O Beautiful for Spacious Skies *Blessing Send your peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for your bountiful gifts. Send your peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife, we may enjoy your bliss. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in light of your grace and mercy. Send your peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision, and in your light, all darkness may vanish. Send your peace, O Lord, that we, your children of earth, may unite in one family. Hazrat Inayat Khan *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Joel 1, 2 The Word of the Lord to the prophet: I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old shall dream dreams, and your young shall see visions. Prayer of the Day Christina Rosetti, 1830-1894 As the wind is your symbol, so forward our goings. As the dove, so launch us heavenward. As water, so purify our hearts. As a cloud, so abate our temptations. As dew, so revive our languor. As fire, purge out our dross. Amen. *Hymn 291 Spirit, verses 1 and 2 Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you poured out your Spirit upon the gathered disciples, creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith. We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us. We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as a people made one in Christ. Have mercy on us, O God. Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit, and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people, doing your will for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Forgiveness The Lord separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west. Know you are forgiven and freed to live in peace, to testify to the saving love of God through Jesus Christ, and are empowered by the indwelling Spirit. Amen. Time With Our Young Disciples Recognition of Graduates Ellis Ciccollela Cabell Midland High School Rayen Ciccollela, Marshall University, Master of Social Work Degree L Jackson, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Associate Degree in Animation and Game Design Reading from Scripture Acts 2:1-8, 11b-21 Morning Message It was a beautiful July day at Cooper’s Rock State Forest near Morgantown. The loud, fierce storm that had blown thru the night before had left the world a bright, fresh green. Wedding guests had assembled…as many as could be seated under the roof of the picnic shelter. The music had begun…there’s nothing more lovely to a West Virginian than the sound of stringed instruments against a backdrop of majestic mountains and sweet summer air. Nothing lovelier except the bride, my daughter. In antique white lace, an exquisite veil falling from the crown of her head, over her shoulders, gently blowing in the breeze. Prayers, promises, rings, and the moment for which all the little cousins waited…the kiss…and the wedding party made their way of out of the shelter to pose for a few quick pictures before joining the guests. Perfect. This was the second time I was officiating clergy and mother of the bride and I was feeling a great sense of relief. I was looking forward to the cake and champagne. And then we heard the groom’s father shout, “Dad!” And then the groom shout, “Papaw!” We all turned to see a woman in a green taffeta dress streak across the shelter, hurdling benches. She started slapping the head of an elderly man with the crowd rising to their feet, some running toward the commotion and others making room for help to move in, the gentle strains of guitar and violin drowned out by gasps of guests and cries of family members. And then we saw it…the plume of smoke…and it seemed to be coming from Papaw. On his way out of the picnic shelter, he had tripped on the stone floor and stumbled into the unity candle, catching his hair on fire! My sister, Amy, was the one smacking him on the head in an effort to put out the flame. She was successful and no permanent damage was done, though it gave us all a fright. Later, trying to elicit a smile from me, my husband observed that we had re-enacted the Pentecost event as described in the book of Acts. A crowd gathered from the four corners of the country, a service of worship, lots of conversation in all kinds of dialects, and flames dancing over the head of at least one person. I wasn’t amused and only stopped shaking sometime in the middle of the next week. Pentecost, Shavout, in Hebrew, is a Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after Passover, to celebrate the spring fruits. Later, it was expanded to include the arrival of the Hebrew people from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, and the gift of Torah. At the time of the event described in the text, devout Jews were obligated to assemble each year in Jerusalem in celebration of both Passover and Shavout. In our text, we find Jesus’ disciples and other followers gathered in the upper room on that day. In addition to the obligation to assemble in Jerusalem for this festival, the disciples were following the explicit instructions given by Jesus to remain there until that time when they are baptized by the Holy Spirit and empowered to take the Good News of salvation to the ends of the earth. So on that day they were waiting. And suddenly from heaven came the noise and the wind and the fire, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Pilgrims from every nation were gathered in Jerusalem that day and they were drawn to the site of all this commotion, amazed, because they were hearing about God’s mighty acts of power each in their own language, in a way they could understand. What was this language? Was it the kind we speak, with subjects and predicates, verbs that can be conjugated, and participles threatening to dangle? Or was it the phenomenon of ecstatic language, glossalalia, described as a gift of the Holy Spirit? I can’t answer that. But one of my go-to scholarly sources, Dr. Bob Newman, offers this helpful information: “God’s Holy Spirit does not eliminate cultural differences from his modus operandi, but on the contrary, moves in and inhabits cultural differences, co-ops them, in this case different languages, so that these cultural differences become working instruments, tools valuable and necessary in order to make witness real and true. It is worth remembering that the Hebrew Torah insists one time that “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” while there are many, perhaps innumerable, examples throughout the Hebrew canon which insist upon love for the alien, or the stranger whom you may encounter.” It is about the importance of language, a valuable and necessary tool, that can make witness real and true, that I want to lift up today. Here’s why: I recently sat with a session engaged in a pastoral search. We talked about what initially attracted them to the church and what might be said to a newcomer about what they find meaningful there. I saw a look of pain cross the face of one of the members. His grief and concern were evident as he shared his observation that there is a palpable sense of depression in the community, and in the wider world, but people aren’t turning to the church for help, for fellowship, guidance or support. This church member asked the question we should all ask: “Where do people find help, where do they find meaning for their lives? We find it in a relationship with Jesus Christ, but have we lost our ability to bear witness to Christ’s message in such a way as the family of faith expands?” As I drove away, I recalled a sermon I once heard given by Rev. Dr. James Forbes. Before he retired, Forbes was the Senior Minister of the famed Riverside Church in New York City. I have been blessed to hear him preach from that pulpit. His reputation is that of a strong progressive voice for the mainline Church and social justice issues in particular. Briefly, the sermon I remembered was titled “Are All the Children In?” Forbes grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of eight children in a Christian home. When the family would gather around the table each night for supper, before anyone prayed over the meal or took even a bite of food, his mother would look around the table and ask, “Are all the children in?” And if someone was missing, they set about fixing a plate so that the one absent would have something to eat when he or she did arrive. He says this simple question has served as a guide to his life and ministry over the years, especially when working through areas of conflict. Many conflicts erupt in the church about who’s in and who’s out, who’s worthy to be a member, or an ordained officer. That little question had served to clarify many issues that arose in church life. When he asked himself if this sort of radical hospitality would advance the kingdom, the answer was always yes. God made us for God’s self and calls all of us to the table. That was not an easy sell. Ever. But when he applied himself to listening, really listening to the various concerns, he heard the language of fear. Once the language was identified, he could work on that, and in time, through love and grace and lots of reassurance, folks would come around. He says, quite honestly, he could relate to their fears, because he had once had them, too. But, as scripture tells us, perfect love casts out fear. We may not be perfect but Jesus is and he will show us the way. Friends, I don’t have to tell you the church has changed. We simply can’t do church the way we did it fifty years ago, or even two years ago. But, our call is still the same: to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. We Presbyterians do that thru works of justice, kindness and mercy. In practical terms, what does that mean? It means that when we gather for worship, or summer camp or circle meeting or session, or a work project, or any other time or place we may assemble in order to bear witness to our faith, the question that rises from our lips should be, “Are all the children in?” My husband and I visited a church for a wedding once. There was a sign hanging in the entryway of the church that read: “These things are not allowed in God’s house: Women in pants, make-up, jewelry, drinkers or smokers.” Something told us they were deadly serious about these prohibitions, though we knew God had bigger problems to solve. It’s been forty years since we saw that sign, and I still don’t think those things offend God. I believe what offends God is for his people to intentionally welcome some people and intentionally reject others. I want to be part of the church that welcomes everyone without applying a litmus test. I made that speech many times and it sounded pretty good until I was directly questioned about it. Not long ago, I sat in my doctor’s office. It was the day after Easter and he wanted to share some of the ways his church had observed Holy Week. He is a Christian and he enjoys talking about his faith. Then he looked right at me and asked if my church allowed gay Christians to participate in worship and church activities. There was a gay man in their church choir and the pastor had told him that he was not permitted to sing in the choir any longer. This troubled him. He asked some other very pointed questions that I don’t feel comfortable sharing here, but, were important in that moment. Before responding, I sent up an emergency prayer, “Help!” And I said, “When a person walks through our doors, I am their pastor. Just as when a patient walks into your office, you are his or her doctor. They are entrusting themselves to your care and you seek to serve them to the best of your ability. Same with me.” Friends, the divisions in our society are many. They are like fault lines about to open up and swallow us whole. Everyone is shouting at once: neighbors, families, politicians, some pastors. We are grieving a multitude of losses. Following closely on the heels of grief is anger. And we can’t or won’t understand each other while we are angry. How different could this world be, how different could this year be, if we would pause at the end of our day and just ask, in whatever sphere of influence or belonging in which you dwell, “Are all the children in?” Is everyone being cared for? Do they a safe home, adequate food? Are they lonely? Do they have human interaction/ Consider our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. So many will be forever broken as they look around their tables. Never again will all their children be in this side of heaven. Consider the families in and individuals held hostage in Gaza. Lacking security and safety, without shelter, dying from their wounds, or exposure, or starvation. And the families, friends and associates outside of Gaza longing to gather their loved ones in their arms once more and knowing that will likely never happen. I don’t have the answer for ending violence or resolving international or even family conflict. But, I have confidence that the same fire and wind that birthed the Church can empower us today to bring healing and wholeness to our community and beyond. We can find a common language. Let’s start with love. We all need and want love. We can find common goals. We all want to live. We want our children and their children to live long and prosper. But, we won’t live long and we won’t prosper unless and until we make this question a part of our every day: “Are all the children in?” * Hymn 291 Spirit, verses 3 and 4 *Affirmation of Faith From A Brief Statement of Faith, p. 38, section 4 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Celebrating the Sacrament of Communion Invitation~Words of Institution~Great Prayer of Thanksgiving~Distribution of the Elements Prayer After Communion Loving God, you have fed and blessed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Presenting Our Gifts of Tithe and Offering Offertory *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 286 Breathe On Me, Breath of God *Blessing Women: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Men: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Leader: Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us. All: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. *Postlude Meeting of the Congregation
Prelude Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship We gather together in worship. as a mother calls her family around the table. A loving, nurturing God, Who, like a mother, loves us unconditionally, teaches us in the way we should go, and comforts us in times of need. All praise be to God, the source and sustainer of life. Prayer of the Day We bless your name, O Lord, for sending your own incarnate Son, to become part of a family, so that, as he lived his life on earth, he may experience life’s worries and joys. We ask you, Lord, to protect and watch over all our families, so that in the strength of your grace, its members may enjoy the priceless gift of your presence and peace, and, as the Church alive in the home, bear witness in this world to your glory. In the name of Christ, our brother, Amen. *Hymn 14 For the Beauty of the Earth, Verses 1-3 Prayer of Confession Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our own sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding refuge and strength, through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. *Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news! Who is in a condition to condemn? Only Christ, And Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone and a new life is begun. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen. First Reading 1 Peter 3:13-22 Time for Young Disciples Reading from Scripture John 14:15-21 The Morning Message While it may seem that the two scripture texts for today have little to nothing to do with Mother’s Day, I want us to consider how very much they read like the words of a mother to her child…maybe an older or adult child. Who here has sought council from their mother or someone who was like a mother to you? I can remember those times of big decision, when I was about to experience change. Should I study for a Master’s Degree? What do you think about that neighborhood or school? Should children be given an allowance? Should we let our daughter move into an apartment instead of the dorm this year? Today, our conversations are likely to be about retirement and how many years we should get out of the new roof. No matter the questions we may ask our mothers or fathers, and those who filled the role of parent, we expect they will be answered in a way that affirms our value, encourages us, warns us against danger, reminds us of the faith that saves us and the One who guides our lives. No one on earth thinks more of us, has higher hopes for us, and who loved us before anyone else knew our names. I hear these messages in First Peter and in John. Years ago, NPR created a special series of programs titled, “This I Believe.” Did anyone ever catch it? It was a popular radio series based on creative essays on a particular subject. The authors would read them on the air and then discuss their topic with the host. In 2011, four books were published which highlighted the series. They were: This I Believe: Life Lessons This I Believe: On Fatherhood This I Believe: On Love This I Believe: On Motherhood A few years ago, my daughter sent the one on Motherhood to me for Mother’s Day. She knew one of the authors and was moved by her essay. I’d like to share with you an excerpt from the book, written by Josephine Guido. Excerpt Our lives are full of loss and separation, hellos and goodbyes, of the busy, loud and hectic days of child-raising to the years of the empty nest, which has its own benefits but also means separation from the ones in whom you have invested so much of your life. While I love the fact that I can pretty much set my own agenda, I miss my children every day. After the resurrection, Jesus was present with his disciples for forty days. That’s a metaphor for a long time. Noah and his ark endured a forty-day flood. Moses and the children of Israel were exiled for forty years. After his baptism in the Jordan by John, God sent Jesus into the wilderness for forty days of fasting, praying, and sparring with the Evil One. As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples once again, he reassures them that though he would be absent from them, they should not despair. He would send the Comforter, who will be their companion. The Spirit would fill them with goodness and grace and courage. In this way they would know that they are God’s own beloved children. When I worked as a church educator, I was occasionally asked what was taught in our nurseries. On one occasion, I was actually handed curriculum that I was expected to present to those brave people who volunteered every week to provide child care. . My response was to explain that the nursery was a child’s introduction to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Mommy and Daddy bring the little one to the nursery and hand them off to the teacher, who will lovingly care for them. They will be read to, prayed over, and maybe even taught a song or two. They will learn to play alongside other children, to share and follow simple instructions. They learn to trust the ones who take their parents’ place for a little while. It’s a big lesson. It’s hard to wave good-bye to the parents. Maybe there are even tears. But Mommy and Daddy assure their precious baby that they are only going to be away for a little while, that soon they will return and they will all be together again. Those are words that comfort me on the days I miss my adult children, my grandchildren, and especially on the days when I miss my loved ones who have joined the Church Triumphant. One day we will all be together again. This is the promise of Jesus. You can believe it. *Hymn 14 For the Beauty of the Earth, Verses 4 and 5 *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithes and Offering Offertory *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn You Formed Us In Your Image, Lord (To the tune 0f “Be Thou My Vision”) Carolyn Winfrey Gillette *Blessing Go out into the blessing of a new week. As Christ prays for you, pray for one another. As Christ forgives you, forgive one another. As Christ loves you, love one another. And may the grace of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit go with you today and always. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Antiphon at Lauds, Saints Days Come, mine elect one, and I will set my throne within you. Source of all creation, maker of the world and everything in it, you are never far from each one of us. We come into your presence seeking you, O giver of life and breath. Reveal yourself to us; dwell with us; abide with us. We live because of you. We hope because of you. In the name of Jesus Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being. Amen. *Hymn 260 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, Verses 1 and 2 Prayer of Confession Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from who no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts that, by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we may perfectly love you and magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness God is love. Anyone who abides in love, abides in God, and God abides in them. The love of God in Jesus Christ will never let us go. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. First Scripture Reading Acts 17:22-31 Moments With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading John 14:15-21 Morning Message Today’s texts lift up two important events: Paul’s speech before the Areopagus in Athens, and the ascension of Jesus. You recall that Jesus made several post-resurrection appearances. This is the final one as he is taken up into heaven. In the church year, this happens forty days after Easter and a few days before the Day of Pentecost, which we will celebrate on May 31st. I would like to turn our attention this morning to the Acts passage. My husband says when he was in officer training shortly after being elected a Ruling Elder, he was told that an elder should be ready to preach at all times. In fact, back in the day, some church elders carried a sermon in their wallets or folded up in the pocket of a suit jacket. Leaders of the Church should be ready to preach the gospel at all times. Paul was ready to preach before the Areopagus, the high court of intellectual and religious sparring, in Athens. This would not be a friendly audience. He was there to be tested. So what does he do? Well, he doesn’t start with the Westminster Catechism, or preach the importance of baptism. He doesn’t even enumerate the four spiritual laws that characterize some Christian preaching. No. Paul meets them where they are. He says he has noticed the numerous statues displayed in the temples around Athens. There were idols to everything. There was even one dedicated to the “unknown God,” in case they had forgotten one. And that’s where Paul seizes his opportunity. He tells them that he stands before them to introduce them to that unknown God. “What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.” The court of the Areopagus was about the strength of reason and rhetoric. The Greeks were all about the life of the mind. Some adhered to a philosophy that the flesh, the human body, was inferior to the mind and the spirit. Some went to great lengths to deny the needs of the body or to satisfy the desires of the body. We have a more integrated understanding of life that includes body, mind, and spirit. Paul whets his audience’s intellectual appetite by saying there is more to learn. And to this body of critical thinkers, he drops a great mystery: the mystery of God in human flesh, the God who defies death by resurrection. “God calls all people to repent, to follow, for judgment in righteousness by an appointed Savior, who has given us assurance by raising the Savior from the dead.” And in his death, is the promise of ours. Willie James Jennings, professor at Yale, has written, “ To speak of the resurrection of Jesus is…speech that changes reality, reorients how we see earth and sky, water and dirt, land and animals, and even our own bodies. This is speech that evokes a decision: either laugh at it or listen to it. Either leave it or draw near to his body. It is his body or your stones.” One positive outcome from this sheltering at home era is that we have been compelled to look at our immediate surroundings. How have we spent our time? I can’t tell you how many of my friends and family members have taken the opportunity to clean out closets and attics and garages, getting rid of those things they no longer use or need or ever needed. I actually found the floor of a closet I haven’t seen in about twenty years. My husband and I just spent a week with our two year old grandson. It was great fun, at least most of the time. It was good to be reminded of the early days of our family life, when we had little ones to feed, and bathe, and dress and comfort. We heard expressions we hadn’t heard in a long time, at least in such direct language. “Mine!” Whether it was a cup, a toy, a shoe, when it seemed to Thomas that he was about to lose something, he loudly protested and claimed it as his own. Most of us outgrow that behavior. We know that hanging onto or accumulating things can be a form of idolatry. So can the unhealthy pursuit of recognition, power and wealth. They become the stones that Dr. Willie Jennings warns us about. Like the idols in Athens, their promises are empty and they may come with a high price. Friends, Jesus isn’t a stone like the idols found in Athens. He is a living Savior who paid the highest price and keeps his promise: to be at home with us on earth and to welcome us to a home with him in the world to come. I’ll take it. How about you? *Hymn 703 Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p.35 *Gloria Patri Joys and Concerns of the Church Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Lord of love, in the upper room, you gave us a new commandment to love one another. You have demonstrated before us the power of love to bring healing, redemption, and hope in the lives of all your people. Just as you have called us all into the ministry of grace, you have empowered us with gifts to carry out your purpose. The weeks have been long, O God, and we are weary. So many lives have been disrupted, services interrupted, and events cancelled. Illness and death have been our food day and night. We have become isolated out of necessity, and that has brought its own set of troubles. And so today, we come before you to dwell in your presence and receive the courage to be your people in this time and in these circumstances. Remind us when we bring the names of those in need before you, we also bring our own needs and concerns. Hear now the names of those who long to feel your love and grace… We celebrate with the graduates among us, for the successful completion of their academic pursuits and their optimism and goals for the future. In the words of the prayer that never fails, in gratitude for all life’s blessing, we pray, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication * Hymn 260 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, Verses 3 and 4 *Blessing Wherever we are, we are in God. Wherever we are, we are in Christ, and Christ is in us. We go forth in peace and hope, with the support of God’s Spirit, in faithfulness and trust. and with enough transparency that, through us, others may glimpse the Divine. *Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2024
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