Sunday, April 15, 2018
Third Sunday of Easter April 15th, 2018
For Meditation and Reflection
“Jesus was short on sermons, long on conversations; short on answers, long on questions; short on abstraction and propositions, long on stories and parables; short on telling you what to think, long on challenging you to think for your-self.” – Brian McLaren
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. Especially those who are worshiping at St. James for the first time or who have returned after an absence. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Call to Worship
Pastor: We are enriched by the company of each other and are drawn closer to the heart of life in this time of celebration.
People: Sharing life’s journey with others is always a privi-lege. We are enriched by the company of each other and are drawn closer to the heart of love in this time of celebration.
Pastor: May this gathering be touched with tenderness, re-freshing us anew by the grace that encompasses this day
All: May we be seized with the miracle of life itself, that we might be filled with new passion, new resolve, to take the next step, on our journey together.
Opening Hymn #177 – God of Change and Glory
Opening Prayer
Enter with me that still place within, where we find not only our inmost selves, but also our connection to that creative and transforming mystery we call God. Storytelling God, who speaks to us in myths and legends and parables, may we find ourselves in those stories and grow through them. Touch our hearts with the wonder of your images so we can see ourselves more clearly in our fullness and complexity. May our time together renew our hope. May the stories we share deepen our connection. May the songs we sing lift our spirits. May our coming together bear witness to the power of love, and the possibility of community. Amen
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-25
Sermon: Memory Stewardship – by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Responsive Sharing
Reflective Hymn: #306 – The Church of Christ in Every Age
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: #351– I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Blessing and Sending:
May the blessings of the Holy One be upon us and upon this congregation. May the memories we gathered here give us hope for the future. May the love we have shared bring strength and joy to our hearts, and the peace of this community be with us until we meet again.
Sharing the Peace as we go….And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Announcements
Childcare is now available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
This Sunday, April 15th
Sunday School
Children – 10:00am. Meet in the Fellowship Hall with Robin Scott.
Adults – 9:30am(childcare available). Meet in the Sanctuary with David Weintraub. We will listen to and discuss part 5 of Rob Bell’s podcast series on Wisdom – “How to Think About the News.” This is a long one, nearly an hour, so we are starting early. To listen or download, go to this page on our website:
11:00am Worship led by Reverend Samantha Tuttle
Jammin’ at James Open Mic. Dinner at 5:30, Music 6:30 – 8:30. Max Honn and Michael O’Brian lead the monthly jam session. All musicians and music fans are invited to come dig the great acoustics in the St. James sanctuary!
Sunday, April 22nd: Worship will be led by Rev. Mike Morse with music by Sea Raven
Sunday, April 29th: Worship will be led by Rev. Michael Lyle
Sunday, May 6th:
11:00am: Worship will be led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
12:30-3:00pm: Luncheon Party!
3:00pm: UCC Installation Service – The Catoctin Association will confirm and celebrate Reverend Samantha Tuttle”s official status as Pastor of St. James.
Our Statement of Faith
We gather in worship as an inclusive community, an open & affirming community of faith that transcends any distinctions based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or religion.
Our formal worship flows into a living worship of love and support for one another as we pursue ways to reflect God’s reign of mercy, justice, and peace in our community and throughout the world…
along with a continuing search for ways to celebrate the goodness of life together ……and always reaching out to draw others, with total inclusiveness, into this communal experience.