Sunday, March 25, 2018
Palm Sunday
For Meditation and Reflection
“While the theological forms of yesterday no longer hold water, must we give up the experience just because the human explanation of that experience has become bankrupt? Is the reality of “transcend-ence,” “otherness,” and “God” dependent on the truth of ancient my-thology? I do not think so, but I do know that our explanations today cannot begin at the same place where they began in our religious past.” – John Shelby Spong
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. Especially those who are worshiping at St. James for the first time or who have returned after an absence. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Call to Worship
Pastor: We gather, grateful for the companionship of hearts and minds seeking to speak the truth in love.
People: We gather grateful for the gift of life itself, mindful that to respect life means both to celebrate what life is and to insist on what it can become.
Pastor: We have gathered in this sacred place, again. May we con-tinue to create here a circle of love, ever expanding, ever growing.
People: A place of wisdom. A place of connection. A place of hope.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Hymn Hosanna, Loud Hosanna – #213
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 uni-verse since the first moment of its existence. 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. As the season of Lent begins to draw to an end and we wait in anticipation for Easter, may we embrace the stories about the one called Jesus. Human like us he 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. Amen.
Scripture Reading: John 10: 10b, John 12:12-16
Sermon: Reimagining The Christ Story – by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Responsive Sharing
Reflective Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service – #495
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (traditional, with debts)
Closing Hymn All Glory, Laud and Honor – #216
Blessing and Sending:
Let us go from this place, facing and serving the world with confi-dence, generosity and integrity. Let us live out the heart of religion which is to bring together all that is divided, to live in the moment, to love mightily and to reverence the mystery, beauty and spirituality of all things and all people. 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. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go…….And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Announcements
Childcare is now available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
This Sunday March 25th: Palm Sunday – Rev. Samantha Tuttle continues the Unbelievable worship series with “Reimagining the Christ Story.”
Good Friday, March 30th: We will share a “Walking Worship” service with Brunswick Grace Episcopal Church. Congregants will meet at the “Squirkle” for a brief worship and will then walk the Stations of the Cross. Time: TBD
Next Sunday, April 1st: Easter Services
Sunrise Service: A lay-led service will be held at the
cemetery at the East edge of town, beginning at 6:45 a.m.
A Potluck breakfast will be shared in the Fellowship Hall afterwards at 7:30am beginning around 7:30am, and continuing until
Traditional Easter Worship Service: Will begin at 10:00 a.m., led
by Reverend Samantha Tuttle, concluding her four-part sermon series with “Reimagining Resurrection.”
Sunday, April 8th: 11:00 a.m.worship will be led by our favorite seminarian, Mark Dewey.
Sunday, April 15th: Worship will be led by Reverend Samantha Tuttle