July 23, 2017
Worship Leader – Rev. Michael Lyle
For Meditation and Reflection:
“I believe he (Christ) says it to all of us: to feed his sheep, his lambs, to be sure, but first to let him feed us – to feed us something of himself. In the sip of wine and the crumb of bread. In the dance of sun and water and sky. In the faces of the people who need us most, and of the people we most need. Who knows where we will find him…or whether we will recognize him if we do? Who knows anything even approaching the truth of who he really was? But my prayer is that we will all of us find him somewhere, somehow, and that he will give us something of his life to fill our emptiness, something of his light to drive back our dark.
– Frederick Buechner, Excerpt from his sermon “The Great Dance”
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer
Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: This is the day that God has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: O come, let us worship and bow down;
People: let us kneel before God, our Maker.
Opening Hymn: There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy – #23 Black hymnal
Today’s Scripture Readings: Matthew 5:43-48
Reflections by Rev. Michael Lyle: “Our New Nature”
Reflective Hymn: Holy Spirit, Truth Divine – #63 Black hymnal
The Offerings and Offering Litany:
Leader: O God, most merciful and gracious;
People: of whose bounty we have all received,
Leader: Accept, we pray, this offering of your people.
People: Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given, and so follow it with your blessing, that it may promote peace and goodwill among all people and advance the realm of our savior, Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.
Joys and Concerns
Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: O, For a World – #575 Black hymnal
Benediction/ Pastor’s Blessing and sending
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
A Blessing for Vision -by John Murray
Go out into the highways and by-ways. Give people something of your new vision.
You may possess a small light, but uncover it, let it shine………use it to bring more light and understanding to the hearts and minds of men and women.
Give them not Hell, but hope and courage; preach kindness and the everlasting love of God.
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.
Announcements
This Sunday, July 23rd
Our Worship Leader will be the Rev. Michael Lyle, speaking on “Our New Nature”.
Sunday, July 30th
On this fifth Sunday of the month, we will NOT be having worship at St. James, but will be joining Pastor Roland England, and his congregation at the Christian Community Church at St. Paul, in Neersville…..at 12623 Harper’s Ferry Rd. Services there begin at 10:00 a.m. Directions: 4 miles from intersection of MD Hwy 340 and Harper’s Ferry Rd, (coming from the north) and also 4 miles from intersection of VA Rte. 9 and Harper’s Ferry Rd.(coming from the south). Or check their website at: www.christiancommunityatstpauls.com. Anyone needing/wanting a ride, please contact .
Sunday, August 6th
Our Worship leader will be Rev. Samantha Tuttle.
Sunday, August 13th
We will be having a speaker from Mobile Hope, an organization centered in Leesburg, and serving homeless and struggling teens and young adults in Loudoun County. In addition to the contribution from St. James, we will invite the congregation to make an additional offering toward their very worthwhile programs.
Sunday, August 20th
Our Worship Leader will be Mark Dewey, a seminary student who joined us for worship a few weeks ago.
Sunday August 27th
We will be having a speaker from Able and Willing, an organization based in Jefferson, MD who actively supports a particular mission in Africa.