Sunday, April 7th, 2019
St. James United Church of Christ
5th Sunday of Lent, April 7th, 2019
For Meditation and Reflection
As surely as we belong to the universe, we belong together. We join here to transcend the isolated self. To reconnect, to know ourselves to be at home, here on earth, under the stars, linked with each other.
Let us take a moment now to settle into the silence. Hear and feel your quiet breathing. Hear and feel the quiet of this place and this community of people. In this quiet hour may our spirits be renewed. In this gathering of old and new friends may our minds be open to new truth, and our hearts be receptive to love, as we give thanks for this life we are blessed to share.
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here in this safe and sacred place.
Call to Worship
Pastor: We come from different places to this sacred place of communal caring and celebration.
People: Sharing life’s journey with others is always a privilege.
Pastor: We are enriched by the company of each other, and are drawn closer to the heart of love in this time of worship.
People: May this gathering be touched with tenderness, refreshing us anew by the grace that encompasses this day.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Hymn #397 – Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers
Opening Prayer:
As we gather in the silence of this sacred place, let us become aware we are in a sustaining, life-giving Presence, active in our universe since the first moment of its existence.
(Silence)
We marvel at life. We celebrate ourselves as a life-form giving the source of all that is, a unique expression in our awareness, in our intelligence, and in our ability to communicate. Enfolded in this Presence may we realize that the world of the Spirit and the world of the body do not exist alongside one another but within one another. Human like us Jesus discerned where this Presence is found: in the everyday, in human interaction, in feeding, in caring, in clothing, in visiting, in sharing, in forgiving, in being neighbor. We remember his total commitment to living fully and loving totally. May we allow his life and teaching to motivate all that we do so that what we profess to have seen in his life and heard in his teaching might be evident in our living and loving. May God-in-us find generous and courageous expression in our words and actions as we undertake to make the reign of God evident in our community. May it be so. Amen.
Scripture Readings: Mark 2:15-17, Matthew 14:14-21,
Matthew 4:1-4, John 21:4-13, Luke 24:28-32
Sermon: “The Quantum Physics of Bread”
Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Holy Communion
Communion Melody
Reflective Hymn: #349 – I Come With Joy
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: #391 – In the Midst of New Dimensions
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. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go…
Announcements
This Sunday, April 7th:
Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle, followed by a First Sunday potluck, which will include informal, yet special poetry readings by Rev. Mike Lyle and others, from his newest book, The Everywhere of Light.
Next Sunday, Apr 14th:
9:30am – Church Council Meeting
Palm Sunday Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle
Sunday, April 21st: EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
6:30 Sunrise Service – TBD
8:30 – 9:30 – Potluck Easter Breakfast
9:30 – 10:00 Children’s Sunday School and Easter Egg Hunt!
10:00am – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Fellowship Hall Update:
The granite countertops and sink have been installed, and water has been hooked up in the kitchen! Everything looks fantastic! Moving forward, we need 2 or3 volunteers to put everything back into the new kitchen cabinets. Please speak with Janell after worship if you’re available!
Progress on the children’s Sunday school room has been delayed due to an inexperienced drywall installer. But Bud Muller and son-in-law Mike are taking steps to remove the old and provide the new, so hopefully progress will be moving more quickly.
Easter Sunrise Service
Our traditionally held Easter Sunrise Service is in need of a worship leader. If you’re interested in leading a simple outdoor service please speak to Lauranne after worship.
Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you, Katie and Greta, for your gracious care!
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.