Sunday, May 27, 2018
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Leader: Rev. Michael Lyle; Musician: Janell Kinzie
For Meditation and Reflection:
“. . . the Church exists for nothing else but to draw people into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became one of us for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose. It says in the Bible that the whole universe was made for Christ and that everything is to be gathered together in him.” – C.S. Lewis
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer (Pastor)
Responsive Call to Worship (Traditional Monastic Liturgy)
Pastor: We wait for the word of the Lord as we wait for the rains.
People: and our God shall come down upon us like gentle dew.
Pastor: The hills and the mountains will be singing praise to God.
People: Every tree in the forest will be clapping its hands.
All: The Lord will come and rule for ever. Alleluia!
Opening Hymn: #306 – The Church of Christ In Every Age
Prayer for Illumination (Pastor)
Today’s Scripture Reading Matthew 14:13-21
Sermon Holy Abundance (Mike Lyle)
The Offerings and Offertory Music
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Doxology: #780
Reflective Hymn: #293 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and the People
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: #433 – In the Bulb There is a Flower
Prayer of Benediction: (Pastor)
Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go… And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Reverend Lyle is happy to stay following the service to talk about questions, concerns or thoughts you may have about today’s worship.
Thoughts for the Week
The Rowan Tree
You can see it above the river’s hollow bank, on the edge,
of gorse and wind,
A crack in bareness of rock is its earth.
The twisted form of its grey trunk stands,
gaunt and bare,
Shaped like a wooden cross.
Its branches are arms outstretched, darkened
by a wound in the chest,
Rough and harsh as the ribs of Christ.
And blood trickles on this tree, on the edge
of gorse and wind,
Blood which breaks from the swell of God’s pity.
–Euros Bowen (1904-1988)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Childcare is available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church; Thank you to Tena Brass for taking our donations to the Lovettsville Food Bank at the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church.
Summer Bible School! Mon – Fri, August 6-10. Tell everyone with young children! Ages 3 to 10.
Join the fun! If you’d like to offer a short activity for the children during this half-day camp, or if you simply want to help, please talk with Robin or Janell.
Spreading the Word… St. James will have an outreach table at
The Frederick Pride Festival on Saturday, June 23.
If you’d like to help decorate the booth or represent St. James, please talk with Lauranne.
This Sunday, May 27: Worship led by Dr. Rev. Michael Lyle
Next Sunday, June 3: Communion Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle
12:30am: Shared Lunch
Sunday, June 10: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Sunday, June 17: Worship led by Dr. Rev. Michael Lyle
For Our Visitors: Since our longtime pastor retired early last year, St. James has been on a journey of discernment as a lay-led congregation. We are re-evaluating our direction, our worship, and our mission. As part of this exploration, we invite visiting ministers, charities, and lay leaders to share their messages of faith and service. Early this year, we called the Rev. Samantha Tuttle to serve St. James as our part-time pastor; she leads us in worship twice a month. The Rev. Michael Lyle also preaches for us on a regular basis – usually once a month. We always welcome input from visitors and newcomers.
Welcome!
Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community… to worship God however known… to welcome all without exception… to seek spiritual comfort and challenge… to learn from scripture and seek new dimensions of truth… to follow, even imperfectly, the way of Jesus, and… to act as agents of God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.