Sunday, August 12, 2018

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Meditation and Reflection
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – Steve Jobs

“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

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: Over many years, men and women have come to this sacred place. They have been enriched. They have been strengthened. They have been renewed in spirit.
People: Today as we come to this place, may we too find the pathway and the journey that awaits us.
Pastor: In all of our adequacy and inadequacy, may we be caring people. In all of our strength and weaknesses, may we be people true to our best and highest selves.
People: May we become people of vitality and commitment.
Pastor: May ours be a faith that shines to the world as the light of deeds and the witness of actions.
People: Source and Spirit of our lives, may we respond boldly to the call for justice, for love, for joy.
All: Welcome to worship.

Opening Hymn: #177 – God of Change and Glory

Opening Prayer
May we in our gathering and this sacred space be blessed. May we open ourselves ever more fully to that mystery which lures us on-ward toward life and creativity. May we hold one another in the deep and tender places with compassion, and may we grace one another by sharing our own vulnerabilities, being ever mindful of the divinity within that makes soul mates of us all. We pause to reflect once again on our place in our communities and in this world. As stardust, we are woven with life, textured with love, living our lives in a crucible of changes and challenges. Even in the midst of discouragement and pain, we know our world is beautiful. But we often miss it or declare it otherwise. As a community on the way, we are mindful of ways to both improve the world and enjoy the world. May we be inspired to be carriers of the spirit of caring. We commit our-selves to learning, changing, thinking again, doing our theology and daring again to imagine how faith and risk lead us to each other, engaging us all in the depths and dimensions of what it means to be human, to be neighbor, to love, to include, to laugh, and to be free. Amen.

Scripture Reading: John 21:1-19

Reflective Hymn: #502 – Dear God, Embracing Humankind

Sermon: “When Moving Backwards Backfires”
Rev. Samantha Tuttle

Responsive Sharing

The Offerings and Offertory Music
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond, shall now be received. May a good feeling be found in our hearts as these gifts are used to help free some people from hunger, lift some people from their distress, and encourage some people to be part of a better world.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)

Closing Hymn: #179 – We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness

Blessing and Sending
May we open ourselves ever more fully to that Eternal Mystery which lures us onward toward life and creativity. May we find the courage to live our faith, to speak our truth, and to strive together for a world where freedom abounds and justice truly does roll down like water. May we know the fullness of love without fear, and the serenity of peace without turmoil. May we hold one another in the deep and tender places with compassion, and may we grace one another by sharing our own vulnerabilities, being ever mindful of the divinity within that makes soulmates of us all.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer worship time in July and August is 10AM.
Vacation Bible School:
Thank you to Robin Scott for organizing five hugely fun and educational mornings for 24 local children! A big thank you to everyone who assisted at VBS, especially Janell for coordinating volunteers, Kate and Abby for your leadership and Jean Muller and granddaughter, Emily, for helping every day! Mary Bellamy and Janell were there most days, while Tena Brass, Lauranne, Jessie Parsons, Sharon Lloyd O’Connor and Patty Nelson took turns chipping in.

This Sunday, August 12th:
10am — Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
11:30am — Council Meeting

Next Sunday, August 19th:
10am — Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle
11:30am Second Open mic and Jammin’ at James session of the summer. All are welcome to bring instruments and play or just join in the fun, singing along!

Sunday, August 26th: Worship by working. We’ll be cleaning out the dusty corners and putting things in order. Please come at 10am to join the crew! Then maybe out to eat?!

Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church; Thank you, Tena Brass, for taking our donations to the Lovettsville Food Bank.

Childcare is available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.