Sunday, August 18th, 2019
St. James United Church of Christ
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 18th, 2019
For Meditation and Reflection
“We are the representatives of the cosmos; we are an example of what hydrogen atoms can do, given 15 billion years of cosmic evolution.” – Carl Sagan
“The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually – to become emotionally aware and make responsible choices. It requires us to align ourselves with the values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life.” – Gary Zukav
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Call to Worship
Pastor: We gather at this time and in this place to celebrate the mystery of life.
Congregation: We commit to moving beyond our previous selves and to continue emerging into persons and into a community dedicated to enhancing this world.
Pastor: We affirm the worth of all, and commit ourselves to honoring the sacred in all.
Congregation: We seek to open ourselves to be more in tune, more involved with each other and the world.
Pastor: We commit ourselves to learning, changing, thinking again…deconstructing our faith and daring again to imagine how faith and risk lead us to each other,
Congregation: engaging us all in the depths and dimensions of what it means to be human, to be neighbor, to love, to include, to laugh, to be free.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Song: Gather Us In (please see handout)
Opening Prayer
We gather in this sacred place to honor and affirm life. We come to consider again being the change we wish to see in the world. This morning we celebrate the unfolding of the universe, and our ability and possibilities for creating brighter and gentler futures for our communities. The symbols of life are all around us: light and noise, children and adults, birds and animals, colors and movement, words of goodwill, songs of joy. May we recognize these symbols as life affirming. May we seek to renew them everyday. May we be inspired to share them generously. As we meet and as we prepare to depart, may we again commit as individuals and as a community to the values and ideals that would contribute to the transformation of this world. May each of us undertake again the appraisal and joy of living out what is dear to us, and what truly advances and invites compassion, grace, forgiveness, kindness, justice and love to flourish and transform. Amen.
Scripture Reading: John 1: 1-5, John 8: 1-11
Sermon “The Capacity of Our Greatest Expression” – Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Reflective Song: Indescribable (please see handout)
Responsive Sharing
The Offerings and Offertory Music
We are surrounded by the beauty of the Earth. We are supported by the abundance of the Earth. In thankful response let us share our offerings as part of our celebration of life in this place.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Song: When the Stars Burn Down (please see handout)
Blessing and Sending:
And now may the blessings of life be upon us, and upon this congregation. May the memories we gather here give us hope for the future. May the love that we share bring strength and joy to our hearts, and the peace of this community be with us until we meet again.
Sharing the Peace as we go…….And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Thank you to Oli Covington for providing our music this morning. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!
Announcements
Summer Schedule: 10am worship July and August.
This Sunday, August 18th:
10:00am – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
11:05-ish – Our Evolving Organizational Structure – The Church Council has been in conversation with Pastor Samantha on how to structure ourselves in a way that aligns best with our current stage of ministry together. Over the next several months, Samantha will host a short, 20 minute review and Q/A in the sanctuary, describing a potential Church Structure that will be voted on during our next Annual Meeting on October 13th. Next dates to attend are: 8/18 & 9/15.
11:30 am – Council Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, August 25th:
10:00am – Please join us for breakfast & informal worship in the Fellowship Hall. Dave Kirk and Bill Zenner will do the cooking!
Sunday, Sept 1st: 11:00am – Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle
Sunday, Sept. 8th: 10:00am is the start of Sunday School to be held every 2nd Sunday.
Parsonage Project: Please call or text Lauranne at 703-346-3071 if you can spend a few hours clearing out the Parsonage. Teens and young adults will earn $15/hr. We need to get this done in August!
Adult English Classes: Saturdays at 12 noon during August in the St. James Fellowship Hall. No registration required. If popular, classes will be offered indefinitely.
Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall.
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.