Sunday, September 2, 2018
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
For Meditation and Reflection
“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
– Mother Teresa
“If we’re destroying our trees and destroying our environment and hurting animals and hurting one another and all that stuff, there’s got to be a very powerful energy to fight that. I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.”
– Ellen DeGeneres
“To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom, salvation, enlightenment.”
– Eckhart Tolle
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here in this safe and sacred place.
Call to Worship
Pastor: Creativity God, source of our life, may we approach this day with joy.
People: We celebrate the gift of life itself and the gift of every resource that enhances life.
Pastor: Life is sometimes complicated and it can be easy to feel powerless to make a difference.
People: Our coping capacities run low. Fears and dangers can block out the awareness of the goodness and the strength that sur-rounds us.
Pastor: When time and events and people go by so fast, may we know the power in pausing, and in pausing find our life renewed.
People: We will now pause, and in this sacred place, be reminded that we are a people of God, that we are accepted and strength-ened, encouraged and blessed.
All: Welcome to worship.
Opening Hymn #8 – Praise to the Living God
Opening Prayer
Source of Life and Creativity, the days and nights pass on with such speed we sometimes miss their significance. Help us to live each day as fully and as generously as we can. May we be stimulated and inspired by thoughts and images, visions and causes, bigger than ourselves.
We give thanks for the beauty of the created world. But we also lament there are places where the environment is willfully destroyed or carelessly neglected. May we learn to cherish and care for the earth, to share all resources justly with all people.
We give thanks for the richness and diversity of human life. But we also lament there are many who lack the necessities of daily life, who face danger, conflict or persecution. May we learn the ways of justice, and that violence and oppression may cease. We live in a world which is fragile and broken, a world where species are dying while we continue to destroy their habitats. As God longs for healing and wholeness, may we find the love to persevere when all else fails.
We gather in the name of that humble Galilean who dared us to dream peace into being, who showed us creative ways to challenge injustice, and whose love embraced all. This is our prayer. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 5:6-18, Exodus 20: 8-11
Reflective Hymn: #73 – Enter, Rejoice, and Come In
Sermon: “Joy Matters” – Reverend Samantha Tuttle
Responsive Sharing
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Holy Communion
Communion Melody
Closing Hymn: #76 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Blessing and Sending:
Now may the love of truth guide you, the warmth of love hold you, and the spirit of joy bless you, this day and in the days to come. Go in peace, and may the peace of God go with you. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go… We hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall. Stay today for Communion Sunday Brunch!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship time for Fall/Winter/Spring is 11:00 am.
This Sunday, Sept. 2:
11:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle.
12:30 pm: Communion Sunday Brunch
Next Sunday, Sept 9:
9:00 am: Council Meeting
11:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle
Sunday, Sept. 16:
10:00am: Sunday school for adults in Sanctuary, for children in Fellowship Hall.
11:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle.
Sept 19th: 7 – 8pm The Wednesday Evening Meditation Group is starting up for Fall with Diane Younkins. No experience needed. Come relax & practice peace.
Saturday, Sept. 29th is Oktoberfest! St. James will offer our traditional German Kitchen. Let Lauranne or Eirik know if you can vol-unteer with preparations or day-of work. And please watch email for more specifics.
Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church; Thank you, Tena Brass, for taking our donations to the Lovettsville Food Bank.
Childcare is available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
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 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.