September 24, 2017

Order of Worship on Sunday, September 24, 2017:
Blessing of the Animals

Worship Leader: Rev. Guy S. Johnson
Lay Leader: Janell Kinzie

For Meditation and Reflection
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
– Anatole France

Welcome music provided by Oli Covington.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Opening Hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth
“For the beauty of the earth
For the splendor of the skies.
For God’s love, which from our birth,
Over and around us lies.
Refrain: God of all, to you we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Animals that we love too.
For your grace here and above,
Shown in all we say and do.
Refrain
For the good that love inspires,
For a world where none exclude,
For a faith that never tires,
And for every heart renewed.
Refrain

Today’s Scripture Readings:

Genesis 1:22-24
Mark 11:1-3

Reflections by Rev. Johnson

Reflective Hymn: Spirit of the Living God
“Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”

Offerings: Special Offertory Music by Oli Covington

Blessing of the Animals

Joys and Concerns

Lord’s Prayer (Traditional with “debts”)

Closing Hymn: Thuma Mena (Send Me Lord)
Leader: Send me, Lord
All: Send me Jesus, send me Jesus. Send me Jesus,
(send me Lord.)
Leader: Bless me, Lord
All: Bless me, Jesus, bless me Jesus, bless me Jesus,
(bless me, Lord.)
Leader: Fill me…… Lead me……Send me, (with same response.)

Benediction

Sharing the Peace as we go…..….And we hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall following worship.

Thought for the Day/Week

“He tried to tell us, the animals can speak.
And who knows…..perhaps they do. (I know they do)
How could you know they don’t?
Just because they’ve never spoken to you?”
– John Denver – “Boy from the Country”

The Reverend Guy S. Johnson was recently ordained in the United Church of Christ, and serves as the pastor of the Keysville Grace UCC and the Mt. Pleasant Reformed UCC. He resides in Leesburg with his husband, Bob Davis, and their All-American dog, Poppins Johnson-Davis.

Announcements

This Sunday, Sept. 24th – WORSHIP TIME AT 11:00 A.M.
Our Worship Leader will be the Rev. Guy Johnson. Our annual ‘Blessing of the Animals’ will be held behind Fellowship Hall. Come and bring your beloved animal friends along.

Sunday, October 1st – Our Worship Leader will be the Rev.
Samantha Tuttle.

Sunday, October 8th – Our Worship Leader will be the Rev. Michael Lyle.

Sunday, October 15th – Our Worship leader will be the Rev.
Samantha Tuttle.

Sunday, October 22nd – Our Worship leader will be Mark Dewey.

FOR OUR VISITORS:

Since the retirement of our 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 and speakers to share their messages of faith and service from our pulpit; several of these have become active friends of St. James. We have had 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. WELCOME !