Sunday, October 28, 2018
Worship Led by Reverend Dr. Michael Lyle
For Meditation and Reflection:
Like the majority of humankind I don’t know much about wholeness at first hand. It is something that, at most – like Abraham and Sarah and Moses and the rest of them – I have every once in a while seen and greeted from afar, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts it, but that is about all. I like to believe that in a disorganized way it is what I am journeying toward, but the most I have to show for my pains is an occasional glimpse of it in certain people who had clay feet more or less like the rest of us but who struck me as being at least a good deal wholer than I have ever managed to become myself.
(Frederick Buechner, The Longing for Home)
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.
The Lord will come and rule for ever. Alleluia.
Hymn #1 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Prayer for Illumination (Pastor)
Today’s Scripture Reading Mark 10:46-52
Sermon Blind Long Enough (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.
Hymn #407 How Firm a Foundation
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and the People
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Hymn #18 Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
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.
Rev. Lyle is happy to stay following the service to talk about questions, concerns or thoughts you may have about today’s worship.
Many thanks to Jessie Scobie for sharing his gifts as our pianist today!
[Photo credit: “Healing Blind Bartimaeus on The Way to Jerusalem” http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/cdri/jpeg/B_Proper25.jpg ]
Thoughts for the Day/Week
“ . . . we live under two orders, we are at once a citizen of Eternity and of Time. Like a pendulum, our consciousness moves perpetually – or should move if it is healthy – between God and our neighbor, between this world and that.
The wholeness, sanity, and balance of our existence depend entirely upon the perfection of our adjustment to this double situation; on the steady alternating beat of our outward adoration, and our homeward-turning swing of charity.”
(Evelyn Underhill, 1875-1941)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Sunday, Oct 28th:
11am: Worship Led by Rev. Michael Lyle
Coffee hour at Backstreet Brews. No Jammin’ at James.
Request for Contributions: Please bring Halloween decorations.
Next Sunday, Nov 4th:
11am: Worship Led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
12:30pm: Statement of Faith discussion (Sanctuary)
Wednesday, Oct. 31st: Halloween!
5:45-8:00pm: Join Allison and Greta handing out goodies for trick-or-treaters. Costumes optional.
To volunteer, talk to Allison Harteis or text her at afredhart@gmail.com
No evening meditation on Wed. October 31st.
Childcare is available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Thanks, Tena, 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. To-gether 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.
St. James United Church of Christ
10 East Broad Way
Lovettsville, Virginia
www.StJamesUCC-love.org