November 12, 2017
Worship Leader: Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Music by Jesse Scobie
Welcome and Announcements – Welcome to this place of worship, which we make special by our presence. Come into this place, where the ordinary is sanctified, the human is celebrated, the compassionate is expected. Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of this time, this life in the presentness of God.
For Meditation and Reflection: We come together from our separate lives, each of us bringing our concerns, our preoccupations, our hopes, and our dreams. We are not yet fully present. The traffic, the last-minute cooking, the final details still cling to us. Our bodies hold the rush of the past few hours. It is now time to let go of these pressures and embrace and become aware of the present moment…When you are ready, repeat silently to yourself: ‘Hineini’ or ‘Here I am’. Hineini is used in the Torah to signify being present in body, mind, and spirit. It means settling into where we are and simply being “here”.
Call to Worship:
Pastor: This time of worship is an invitation to be calm in the midst of the noise of the world and our over-busy lives,
Congregation: to bring together thought and feeling, mind and spirit, and to find some center, some still point, of perspective and peace.
Pastor: We draw near to each other in the presence of a Holy Weaver. That we may see afresh. That we may hear anew. That we may act again with vigor.
Congregation: May there be many new patterns woven among us: patterns of peace between strangers, patterns of love between friends, patterns of hope among the hopeless, patterns of joy among the sorrowful.
Pastor: And may we be brokers of a spirit of new hope with all people, to the ways we cope with life, to the ways we embrace the present, and the ways we think about the future.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Hymn: #393 – Blessed Be the Tie That Binds
Opening Prayer: (Unison)
Spirit of life, in us and around us, here is our chance, once again, to live like we wish the world would live. May we find within our-selves the courage to be who we are. May we know when it is time to listen and when it is time to speak. May we trust ourselves to be the ones to find the words that need to be said or to do what needs to be done. May we trust one another and know there are many ways to go through life. May we know that though we cannot change some of what life gives to us, we can choose how we deal with what we aregiven. Together we can make possible justice and love. As we worship this morning, may we be reminded that we are all connected. We depend upon one another more than we know. We are one body. We are one. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:6, Matthew 14:13-23
Sermon by Rev. Samantha Tuttle –
“Navigating the Holidays When Our Country and Families Feel Divided” (Part 2)
Responsive Sharing
Reflective Hymn: #388- Help Us Accept Each Other (Sung to Tune #386)
Our Offerings
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Lord’s Prayer (Traditional with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: #495- Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Pastor’s Blessing and Sending
May the love that gives life its beauty, the reverence that gives to life its sacredness, and the purposes that give to life its deep significance, be strong within each of us and lead us into ever deepening relationships with all of life. Go in peace, and may the peace of God go with you. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go…….And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Thought for the Day/Week
You can’t change another person, but you can be the reason someone changes.
-Source unknown
Announcements:
Sunday, November 12th – Our regular Council meeting will be held at 9:00 am. All are welcome to attend.
Sunday, November 19th – Rev. Mike Lyle will lead service.
Starting November 19th – Children’s Education at 10 AM for 4 -12-year-olds with Robin Scott. Robin is excited to begin leading Sunday School for youngsters once a month. Next date: December 17th.
Sunday, November 26th – Churchwide Thanksgiving. Join us in the Fellowship Hall to share Thanksgiving leftovers 11AM – 12:30PM. The sanctuary will be open for private prayer.
Our beautiful Saint James T-shirts are available to all. Of fine quality and union made, the suggested donation is $20.
FOR OUR VISITORS: Since the retirement of our longtime pastor in January, we at St. James have been on a journey of discernment……re-evaluating our worship and our direction and mission as a congregation. During this process, we have welcomed a number of visiting ministers to share their messages from our pulpit, several of whom are, or have become, active friends of St. James. We have had speakers and members share their messages of faith and service, and have had several open forums to discuss the needs of the congregation and the community. We plan to continue this process through this calendar year, although we are calling more often on those pastors whose messages fit most closely with our values. We always welcome input from visitors and those who are new to our community.