January 21, 2018
St. James United Church of Christ
Third Sunday After Epiphany January 21, 2018
For Meditation and Reflection
“So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, to part of it.”
– Jiddu Krishnamurti
Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. Especially those who are worshipping at St. James for the first time or who have returned after an absence. Your presence both enriches us and this time of cele-bration together.
Call to Worship
Pastor: How good it is to be alive! To feel the beat of our own hearts, the pulsing of life in our veins, the rhythm of our breathing.
People: So we come into this time of worship, of prayer and reflection with gratitude for the gift of life this day.
Pastor: In a universe so vast, may we be helped to sustain a good sense of who we are, and a good sense of worth in ourselves.
People: When time and events and people go by so fast, help us to know the power in pausing, and in pausing, help us to find our life renewed.
All: As we come and as we go, we pray that each of us, in our own small inner world, will know that we have been in a sacred place, fully present, to listen for and experience the Divine presence in our midst.
Opening Hymn #528 – You Are the Seed
Opening Prayer
We gather in this sacred place to honor and affirm life. We come to consider again being the change we wish to see in the world. This morning we celebrate the unfolding of the universe,
and our ability and possibilities for creating brighter and gentler futures for our communities. The symbols of life are all around us: light and noise, infants and adults, birds and animals, colors and movement, words of goodwill, songs of joy. May we recognize these symbols as life affirming. May we seek to renew them every-day. May we be inspired to share them generously. As we meet and as we prepare to depart may we again commit as individuals and as a community to the values and ideals that would contribute to the transformation of this world. May each of us undertake again the appraisal and joy of living out what is dear to us, and what truly advances and invites compassion, grace, forgiveness, kindness, justice and love to flourish and transform.
Scripture Readings: James 1:17-27, Matthew 7:24-29
Sermon: The Art of Listening – by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Responsive Sharing
Reflective Hymn: #531 God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn: #538 – Standing at the Future’s Threshold
Blessing and Sending:
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.
So go and travel with the God who is found in ordinary and surpris-ing places. Go in peace, and may the peace of God go with you.
Sharing the Peace as we go…….And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Announcements
Sunday School, (Adult and Children) today at 10:00 A.M. Adults in the sanctuary and children in the Fellowship Hall.
Thank you to Michael O’Brien for providing our music this morning. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!
We are continuing our Giving Tree collection of donations of clean blankets for people to take what they need and give what they can.
Jammin’ With James will not be held in January.
Worship next Sunday, will be led by Rev. Michael Lyle.
Our Statement of Faith
We gather in worship as an inclusive community, an open & affirming community of faith that transcends any distinctions based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or religion.
Our formal worship flows into a living worship of love and support for one another as we pursue ways to reflect God’s reign of mercy, justice, and peace in our community and throughout the world…
along with a continuing search for ways to celebrate the goodness of life together ……and always reaching out to draw others, with total inclusiveness, into this communal experience.