May 5th, 2019
St. James United Church of Christ
Third Sunday of Easter, May 5th, 2019
For Meditation and Reflection
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
“If the you of five years ago doesn’t consider the you of today a heretic, you are not growing spiritually.” – Unknown
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.
Call to Worship
Pastor: We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and our concerns.
People: We come together in hope.
Pastor: We greet each other warmly with our voices and our smiles.
People: We come together in peace.
Pastor: We share our growth and our aspirations.
People: We come together in wonder.
Pastor: We share our losses and our disappointments.
People: We come together in sorrow.
Pastor: We share our concern and our compassion.
People: We come together in love.
Pastor: We sing and pray and listen. We speak and read and dream. We think and ponder and reflect. We strive for justice and for mercy.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Hymn #4 – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
Opening Prayer
Storytelling God, who speaks to us in myths, legends and parables, may we find our-selves in those stories and grow through them. May our hearts be touched with wonder so we can see ourselves more clearly in our fullness and complexity. We give you thanks for all things around us and within us. For health, food, drink, and shelter. For family, friends, good neighbors, and enemies who pray for us. We give you thanks for curiosity, laughter, and the ability to learn. For truth, courage and beauty. For hospitals and libraries, theaters, parklands and lakes. We give visible expression to this Source, this ultimate mystery. We are grateful for the gift of life itself, mindful that to respect life means both to celebrate what life is and to insist on what it can become. As we marvel at life, let us celebrate the times we are creators of a better world, and when we leave behind us a trail of encouragement, hope, and possibility. This is our prayer. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 6:9-7:1
Sermon: Searching for the Missed Point – Part 1 –
Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Reflective Hymn: #433 – In the Bulb There Is a Flower
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Holy Communion
Communion Melody
Closing Hymn: #28 – For the Beauty of the Earth
Blessing and Sending:
May the places where you walk become sacred spaces of the Holy God. The places where you take your stand be signposts to the love of Christ. The places where you rest be filled with the renewing grace of the Spirit. Go in peace, and may the peace of God go with you.
Sharing the Peace as we go…
Announcements
This Sunday, May 5th:
11:00am Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle
12:15pm – First Sunday PotluckBrunch
Next Sunday, May 12thth: Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle.
Sunday, May 19th:
9:30am – Council Meeting;
11am – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Volunteers needed. St James will have outreach booths attwo local festivals.
Saturday, May 25th – Lovettsville Mayfest
Saturday June 22nd – Frederick Pride Festival
Have fun! Demonstrate radical welcome!3-hr shifts.Call/text Lauranne: 703-346-3071
Sunday, June 30th: Annual Congregational Meeting 12:30pm
July 29-August 2: St. James Vacation Bible School. Mark your calendar if you want to volunteer or have your children participate!
Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you, Katie and Greta, for your gracious care!
Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Thank you, Tena Brass, for taking our donations.
Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.