Sunday, October 14, 2018
Order of Worship for October 14, 2018
Worship Leader: Mark Dewey
Musician: Janell Kinzie
For Meditation and Reflection:
What impedes your rush into God’s arms? What treasure weighs in your pocket? What railing do you cling to even as you long to leap?
Surely more than your riches. Your expertise? Your approval rating? The despair that enfolds you when you face the deep unknown? The familiar failure that nestles you, hides you from the risk, the ask, the new?
Go sit in silence and listen for the beckoning. See what arises to stop you. Then lay your hands on it, tie it down, and walk away.
—Steve Garnass-Holmes
Introduction of Worship Leader
Call to Worship
God of grace, we come with all we have
and all we are: bodies, souls, and minds.
We come for a glimpse
of your kingdom of kindness–
a world where love rules over all,
a world where enemies embrace,
and distinctions between friend and foe
dissolve in the light of your love.
We dedicate this hour to being with you,
to noticing your presence,
which is around us and within us always.
We come to share the welcome of your kingdom.
Amen.
Opening Hymn: #21 “God Reigns O’er All the Earth”
Pastoral Prayer
Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-31
Sermon: “Threading the Eye of the Needle”
by Mark Dewey
Reflective Hymn: #179 “We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness”
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Responsive Sharing & Prayers of Joys and Concerns
Lord’s Prayer [Alternate version, in memory of William Dewey]
Earth-maker, pain-bearer, life-giver: blessed be your work.
Let happen here on earth what you will.
Give us what we need today in bread and insight, and release us from our offenses, as we release our offenders.
When we forget that life is both a gift and a task, forgive us; when we hold grudges or blame other people, forgive us; when we love ourselves more than we love other people, forgive us.
Don’t leave us alone with our private demons and fears, with our apathy and our indifference, but deliver us from the evil in us and around us.
Help us choose what is good, what is right, what is loving, what is just, for we are endowed with the power to make our world whole, forever.
Amen
Closing Hymn: #563 “We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky”
Blessing and Sending
Sharing the Peace as we go… And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in the Fellowship Hall.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Sunday, Oct 14th:
9am: Council Meeting in Fellowship Hall
11am: Worship led by Seminarian Mark Dewey
12:30pm: Oktoberfest Debrief
Wednesday, Oct 17th:
Morning Meditation: 10:00-11:30am
Evening Meditation: 7:00- 8:00pm each week with Diane Younkins. No experience necessary.
Next Sunday, Oct 21st:
10am: Sunday School for children in Fellowship Hall with Robin Scott; for adults in Sanctuary; discussing The Phoenix Affirmations, copies available.
11am: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Sunday, Oct 28th:
11am: Worship Led by Rev. Michael Lyle
12:30pm: Jammin’ at James open mic in the Sanctuary.
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; Thanks, Tena B, for taking our donations to the Lovettsville Food Bank.
Our 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.