Sunday, January 26, 2020

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship led by Tena Brass; written by James Weldon Johnson, 1921

One: God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way.

All: Thou who hast by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

One: Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we meet Thee,

All: Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.

One: Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand

All: True to our God, true to our native land!

Hymn: When Israel was in Egypt’s Land #572

Prayer of Illumination led by Tena Brass

We stand in the light of truth, the light of love, the challenge of justice. Fill us, O God, with the power and grace to be the light’s brightness for the world and strong witnesses of sacred justice.

We have condemned racial injustice in our pronouncements, yet we cling to the privileges derived from social inequities. All too often we are blind to our complicity in maintaining systems of oppression and deferring the hopes and dreams of the oppressed for freedom. Give us the courage to name our sin, give us the strength to claim responsibility for our actions. Give us the grace to pay the price for changing our behavior. Amen.

Hymn: We Shall Overcome #570

Scripture: read by Tena Brass

• Psalm 27:1-3
• Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon: How Long, How Long, Push On Rev. Mike Morse

Part I To Kill a Mockingbird

Part II Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

Song: Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round

Part III John Lewis

Song: Precious Lord #472

Congregational Response

Offertory

And so, in gratitude we offer ourselves, and all that we have. May we be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Hymn I Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed on Freedom #85

Benediction

Song: Lift Every Voice and Sing (1^st verse) #593

Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmony of liberty.

Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies; Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on, till victory is won.

Sharing Peace

All are invited to join fellow congregants for coffee and conversation in the Fellowship Hall after service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Sunday, Jan. 26^th 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Mike Morse

Next Sunday, Feb 2^nd 10 am – Adult Sunday School with Sea Raven and Mike Morse; 11 am – Communion Worship with Rev. Mike Lyle; 12:15 pm – Join in for Congregational Pot Luck!

Sunday, Feb. 9^th 10 am– Sunday School for Adults and Children; 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle; 12:30 pm – Council Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 16^th– Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle

Sunday, Feb. 23^rd– Worship led by Rev. Mike Morse

Lovettsville Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. See sign and box in Fellowship Hall.

During the Week at St. James:

Mindfulness Meditation. Wed. mornings 10 am, Fellowship Hall. Free. All welcome; beginners encouraged!

Stretch It Out! Fri. evenings 6:30 – 7:30pm. Fellowship Hall: Come feel good with relaxed stretching and strengthening for all ages. First class free.

English Language Classes for adults. Please pass the word. Saturday mornings 8:30 -10:30am, Free. Led by a certified ELL teacher. Childcare provided. Fellowship Hall. Help Needed: come work with adult students or help with childcare. No experience needed. Talk with Lauranne.

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.

Cover Credit: Za’atari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan; children with completed Art Education project by Joel Bergner with AptART and ACTED.