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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 Comments are closed.
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PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2024
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