Today's guest speaker is Rev. Renny Domske.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Carol Smith Choir For the Beauty of the Earth 14 ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I ever be afraid? One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for all my days. I want to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle. Teach me Your ways, O Lord; lead me in a straight path. I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord. Your face I will always seek. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take courage and wait for the Lord. INVOCATION
* HYMN “ Bless Be the Tie That Binds” # 306
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Great God of this life, we confess that we have been unfaithful to You. We have worshiped other gods; money, power, greed, And convenience. We have served our own self-interest instead Of serving You. Your people and Your kingdom. We have sinned. Forgive us, Gracious God, and bring us back into the fullness of our relationship with you. You never let us down. We are honored to call You our Father. We are amazed that Your Son died for us. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT Prayer for Illumination The Word of God Scripture reading: Luke 13: 22-30 Lisa Hamilton Luke 8: 1- 8 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “Cary Grant’s Ears “ Responding to the Word *HYMN “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” # 224 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN “ Great is Thy Faithfulness” # 39 *Choir All Things Bright and Beautiful 20 *Benediction Postlude
BIRTHDAYS : John Cole, Mike Durila Sr.
SYMPATHY To the Family of Donald Casto (Uncle of Don Herschell) ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Marlene Huffman’s brother Chuck Harton has a very bad heart but won’t go to the hospital because his wife has dementia, and he will not leave her. Bless this man for his commitment and pray for him. Lenten service is at U.P. Church of Claysville today at 2:30 PM. Please note the time Worship and Music by One Voice ministry. Apr 2 Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church at 4:00PM Rev. Terry Lucarelli, Preaching Ruling elder Dale Rush, Liturgist THE DISCIPLE SIMON PETER, JOHN 21: 4-19
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Tiffany Cipoletti, Diane Anderson,Jim Durila, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Ed Horne, Helen Provenzano, Jean Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Carol Knabenshue Richard Wagner, Ed Caffrey, Jeff Durila,Ron Westfall, Taylor Shrontz Kopacko, Heather Waltz Simpson, Joyce Nichols, Richard Ward, Donna West, John O’Hara, Judy Clutter Donaldson, Mike Fisher’s co-worker Vincent, Susan Paul, Kathy Durila, Chuck Harton
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Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet together on Sunday morning, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Lord, thank you that our comfort abounds through Christ. Nothing in the world can bring us the comfort and peace that you alone can offer. Thank you that you understand our trials, and you care. Through our own struggle and pain, help us to be your vessels to offer comfort and strength to others who are hurting. Thank you Lord that through every weakness and hard place, your strength is displayed in our lives. We can’t do it on our own. But you can, through us. Your power is Mighty within us, you are our Helper and our Strength. All things are possible through you. Amen.
This week's lesson is on Mark 5:1-13, 18-20.
Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee to a region of 10 cities called Decapolis. When they left the boat they encountered a man coming from the tombs. These tombs were where they buried their dead. Any Jew would consider this man unclean because of his living among the caves with dead bodies. Jesus never mentioned that. Jesus' greater concern was wholeness in the Lord, rather than with outer, ritual uncleanness.
Once the man lost control of himself, his community tried to step in. Though binding him with a chain may once have worked, the demon within granted such perverse strength that the demoniac tore those restraints apart. His strength was matched by a wildness that no one could subdue. The image is of a dangerous, undomesticated beast. The best course of action for the community was to be wary and hope the demon-possessed man would not come among them and cause harm. A healthy person generally makes decisions that maintain his or her overall well being. In the demoniac's case, he had lost so much control that even his instinct to care for himself was overridden. No one could prevent him from hurting himself or others. When the demon-possessed man saw Jesus from a distance he shouted, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” The demon must have been doing the talking. No human had yet acknowledged Jesus to be the Son of God, another clue that the demon knew what the others did not. The title Most High God emphasizes God's absolute rule over the heavens and of the earth and under the earth, including every creature within those realms- supernatural or not. When Jesus asked the demon his name, the demon said Legion for we are many. Ancient people often believed that invoking the name of a spiritual being granted some power over that being. But Jesus needed no tips or tricks to obtain power over the demons. Instead, Jesus was preparing to teach the disciples a lesson of the utmost importance: no matter how the powers of evil stacked against him, Jesus was always in charge. The demon begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. Jesus could send the demons to the abyss. Instead the demons wanted Jesus to send them among the pigs. The pigs must have been owned by a gentile population. They recognized that Jesus was in complete control but perhaps Legion hoped to linger in the unclean pigs; then when Jesus had left the region, they could reenter the man or find a new victim. With Jesus' permission Legion might have thought they had succeeded in outwitting the Son of God. The impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. What the impure spirits experience here was a foretaste of the defeat that Satan would experience following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Though Satan looked for victory over Jesus, what the devil experienced was unexpected. In theory, the numbers involved should have put Jesus at a disadvantage. However, even though Jesus seemed outnumbered, there was never any doubt about his victory in this encounter. The herdsman did not see this extraordinary sign of God's goodness and victory over evil. Instead, they felt fear. This explains why the community asked Jesus to leave there after this encounter. The man who had been demon-possessed begged to follow Jesus. Jesus did not let him but told to go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on You. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. The Sunday School books state this was a different outcome than when Mary Magdalene was delivered from seven demons. She became one of Jesus' most dedicated followers. Luke 8:2. Throughout Mark's Gospel, Jesus frequently told people to stay quiet about what he did for them. Given that we know Jesus ultimately wanted the gospel to spread throughout the world, why would he tell people he'd healed to stay quiet? Maintaining what has been called the messianic secret seems to have been Jesus practice in Jewish regions, particularly earlier in his ministry. But in the Gentile region, Jews had the Old Testament, and especially the prophets, to point to Jesus, the secrecy could have been a temporary measure to allow Jesus' ministry to grow in its own time. Some people believe it was because Jesus wanted his ministry to be about his preaching rather than a healing and miracles ministry. It could also be that telling of all Jesus' miracles would have increased his popularity but also increased his opposition to stop his ministry. But because Gentiles did not have the Scriptures to refer to or learn from, eyewitness accounts of the Jewish teacher and healer would prepare the soil for faith to come. Though not exactly the same because the Samaritans did follow Mosaic law, the story of the Samaritan woman's witness illustrates the potential power of firsthand accounts.
Conclusion
We too have been delivered by Jesus. And like the former demoniac, we have stepped out of a life that was more like death. We too are called to share the story of a life that was more like death. We too are called to share the story that Jesus has done for us, to prepare our own communities to meet Christ and come to new life. No matter the legions aligned against us. Jesus is in control! All we have to do is place our faith in him, with joy and obedience. Prayer Heavenly Father, May we remember your Son's mighty power and be quick to ask for deliverance. May we as your servants show our gratitude by proclaiming to others the good things you have done for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen I asked Lisa about her thoughts on the lesson and about demonic possession. Her thoughts were that when Jesus was walking the earth that it was a special time of angelic activity. We had never heard of a choir of angels singing like what the shepherds experienced at Jesus's birth or the angels who took care of Jesus after his temptation in the desert. It would only stand to reason that there would be increased demonic activities. What does Mark want us to know from this scripture? That Jesus has the power over the whole spirit world. He uses his power to further his kingdom.
Questions
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the King James Version.
Next week's lesson is on Luke 24:1-12.
Our guest speaker today is Rev. Renny Domske.
Choir # 300
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Call to Worship: “ from Psalms 26” Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life. I have trusted on the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart; for Your love is ever before my eyes and my mind. I walk continually in Your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men or consort with hypocrites. I love the house where You live, O Lord. I love the place where Your glory dwells. I proclaim aloud Your praise and go to Your altar. I do not hesitate in telling of all Your wonderful deeds. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord.
* Hymn “Standing on the Promises” # 838
Prayer of Confession (unison) Almighty God, our heavenly Father, it is Your will that we should love You with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. We continually fail. We confess that our affections continually turn away from You; from purity to lust, from freedom to slavery, from compassion to indifference, from fullness to emptiness. Have mercy on us. Order our lives by Your holy word, and make Your commandments the joy of our hearts. Forgive our selfish ways and turn our hearts toward You. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance Of Pardon Response – Gloria Patri (page 581) Passing the Peace The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you! Children’s Chat Prayer for illumination Scripture reading: Philippians 4: 10-13, 19-20 Diana Donaldson Matthew 16: 21 - 28 Sermon: “ It’s Easier to Tell God What To Do” *Hymn “Jesus Call Us” # 720 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology (page 606) *Prayer of Dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer *Hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” # 216 *Benediction Choir # 450 * Postlude
BIRTHDAYS : Bob Fisher, Ed Caffrey
ANNIVERSARYS: Butch & Cindy Ward Bryan & Cheryl Bell Doug & Marilyn Ward SYMPATHYS: To the Family of Linda Stough To the Family of Donald Casto (Uncle of Don Herschell) To the Families of Justin Crawford and Nevaeh Sheets ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Anyone who wants to join our church choir may do so by coming to church during Sunday School hours. Rehearsal starts at 10:45 downstairs. All are welcome to join the choir. This Saturday, March 25, is our second clean up day. We will meet here at the church at 9:30. The Lenten service is at Grove UP Church today. The service is at 4 pm with Dr. Renny Domske preaching. Ruling Elder Diana Smith, liturgist Judas Iscariot, John 13: 21 - 30
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Tiffany Cipoletti, Diane Anderson, Jim Durila, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Ed Horne, Helen Provenzano, Jean Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Carol Knabenshue Richard Wagner, Ed Caffrey, Jeff Durila, Ron Westfall, Taylor Shrontz Kopacko, Heather Waltz Simpson, Joyce Nichols, Richard Ward, Donna West, John O’Hara, Judy Clutter Donaldson, Bob Fisher’s co-worker Vincent, Susan Paul, Kathy Durila
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer to get started.
Lord, we come to you each day to have communion with you. We come here each week to learn more about you and to worship you with others who also love you. We do it because we have deep longing to know you better, a longing that is satisfied only with the living water of which Jesus spoke. Yet we also know that there are others in our community who share this longing but who do not know how to satisfy it. They try to quench their thirst with other things, but nothing except your presence is enough. Help us to find ways to reach out to these people, without excluding or judging anyone, so that they, too, may find satisfaction for their souls. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.
This week's lesson is on John 4:7-15, 28-30, 39-41.
Introduction
People and society put up walls between human beings that have no place in God’s kingdom. We sort people into categories — good and bad, successful and unsuccessful, deserving and undeserving of love and acceptance, people to be welcomed and people to be avoided. Within those categories there are multiple variations. A poor black single mother, for example, would not be in the same category as a wealthy black athlete, recording artist or Supreme Court justice. But categories persist in people’s minds, and people are often sorted out and valued according to our prejudices. It was no different in Jesus’ day. Some of the reasons people were seen as more or less valuable than others were different, but the walls still existed. However, time after time in the gospels, Jesus broke through those barriers and approached each person as an individual trying — and sometimes failing — to live his or her best life. Jesus did not ignore or minimize the weight of people’s sinful choices. Instead, he revealed them and pointed each person to God’s love. Instead of diminishing and discarding people, Jesus offered them a way to peace and forgiveness and a way forward with God. A case in point is our lesson for this morning. It is the story of a Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a community well in the hottest part of the day. Before our lesson begins, John tells us that Jesus is headed back to Galilee from Jerusalem, where he has just had another encounter. That encounter is with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a person on a much higher rung on the social ladder than the woman we meet today. After that meeting, the scripture says Jesus had to pass through Samaria. In a spiritual sense that may be true. But on a physical level it is not exactly accurate. Most Jews traveling from Judea to Galilee avoided Samaria altogether by taking the extra time to travel one of two circuitous routes, thus avoiding potential contact with the despised Samaritans. That route set up an encounter that crossed multiple societal barriers. Jesus’s interaction with the Samaritan woman shows us how God does not judge people based on people’s sex, race or nationality or anything else. With God there is only one category — those whom God loves.
The Stranger (verse 7-15)
According to John, it’s the sixth hour when Jesus comes to Jacob’s well. That is an important detail because the sixth hour is noon. It’s a desert community, and no one would normally be at the well at that time of day. Fetching water was women’s work, and that heavy task would be reserved for the cooler parts of the day. Women used this as an opportunity to talk to one another and have some needed social interaction during their daily chores. Instead, Jesus finds a lone woman at the well. She is likely by herself because that is the time when she will not have to encounter any other women. Soon we will learn why she is an outcast and that she would rather endure the heat and isolation than the derision of the other women. In verses 16 to 27 (not in our lesson), we learn that she has had five husbands and is now living with a man who is not her husband. Jesus knows this without being told, and the woman therefore believes he is a prophet. Jesus is also alone because his disciples have gone into the town to buy food. Shockingly, despite all of the obstacles and class differences, Jesus speaks to the woman and asks her for a drink of water. In the ancient Roman world, women were seen as less valuable than men, and therefore men did not normally address women in public. But Jesus is a Jewish man, an important religious figure, and he is speaking not only to a woman but to a Samaritan woman. Samaritans were descendants of the people who belonged to the northern tribes of Israel, but they were also descended from a mixture of other non-Jewish races. In 722 BC, the Assyrian army had invaded the northern kingdom of Israel and taken most of the people back as captives. Those remaining had intermixed with foreigners who had settled in the region. Across the years, they maintained a religion that included many Jewish facets interwoven with other beliefs. They revered only the first five books of the Bible, for example, and they believed God should be worshipped on Mount Gerizim in Samaria instead of in Jerusalem. For this reason, the Jews of the tribes of the southern kingdom of Judea considered the Samaritans tainted in their religion and as a people. Jesus uses his request for water and the Samaritan woman’s response as an opportunity to speak to her about deeper matters. She asks how he, a Jew, could be asking her, a Samaritan, for water. Instead of addressing why he is speaking to her at all, Jesus speaks metaphorically about water and how he has a different kind of “water” that refreshes the soul and that never runs out. He says he can offer that water to her. Like many in John’s gospel, the woman does not understand what Jesus is talking about. She is thinking only on a physical level, but Jesus is talking about a restored relationship with God through the Holy Spirit that meets her deeper spiritual needs. Still, the woman wants this water, if only to relieve her day-to-day physical problems.
The Promised One (verses 28-30, 39-41)
The woman has just said that the Messiah is to come, and Jesus has responded by saying “I am he.” It’s one of the many “I am” statements in this gospel, linking Jesus with the God whom Moses encountered in the burning bush. In that encounter in Exodus 3, God told Moses to tell people who ask who has sent him that “I Am That I Am” has sent him. In this case, Jesus is linking himself with that same God and saying that he is the Messiah to whom the woman refers. With that, the woman leaves in such a rush that she doesn’t bother to take her water jar. Dropping her shame for the sake of urgency, she goes into the town and tells the people to come and see this man who knows all about her life. She raises the question, “Could this be the Messiah?” Even though the woman may not have been considered the best witness, the people respond to her testimony about Jesus and followed her back to the well to decide for themselves. John tells us that many believed after meeting Jesus. The story ends with the Samaritans asking Jesus to stay with them. And in a significant breach of social norms, Jesus stays with them for two days, and during that time many more people come to believe. So the story begins with Jesus coming as an outsider and speaking to a person who is an outsider within her own community. It ends with Jesus staying in a community of people that Jews would not even communicate with. It ends with acceptance and with a restoration of relationships with God and with each other. From this story it is clear that Jesus accepts us as we are, that Jesus overcomes our sinfulness and forgives our sin, and that Jesus breaks down walls and builds community. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone who professes Christ would accept others the same way?
Conclusion
Jesus’ earthly ministry did not include limits based on typical human barriers. His encounter with the Samaritan woman is a prime example. In Jesus’ presence, many of the boundaries that we have put up or that others have put up around us disappear (Romans 3:22; 10:12; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; contrast 5:11; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:10). As we find our identity in Jesus, we can become the conduit of mercy and grace to those we encounter. The living water Jesus gives us is available now and will continue to well up in us until we reach the age to come. The gift we find in Jesus is not a stagnant thing; it moves us from old to new, death to life, lost to found, enslaved to free; it means we are saved!
Prayer
Father, forgive us for the times when we have allowed barriers to prevent us from inviting others to see you. Help us to see those around us the way that you see them; help us to demonstrate your love and holiness to them. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions for discussion:
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New King James Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Mark 5:1-13, 18-20.
Our guest speaker this week is Rev. Renny Domske.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay Introit Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP ( Psalm 25 ) L: To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul, In You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. P: No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame. Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. L: Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You. P: Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love. Remember me, for You are good, O Lord. L: All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant. P: My eyes are ever on the Lord, For only He will release my feet from the snare. INVOCATION Renny Domske
* HYMN “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” # 475
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Loving Lord Jesus, who came to seek and to save the lost, we Confess that we have lost our way. Forgive our wayward and willful disobedience. Lead us back to you. ‘Forgive us for every thought, word, or deed that has brought hurt to others. Heal the pain we have caused. We have dishonored Your Name. Grace us with Your Holy Spirit and lead us once again in the way that leads to life. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading: John 1: 6 - 14 Lois Miller Mark 1: 1 - 14 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “Saturday Night Bath Night “ Responding to the Word *HYMN “There’s a Sweet Spirit in This Place” #408 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory - Doxology ( Page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE: Communion *HYMN “ Come Christians, Join to Sing” #267 *Choir *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay *Please stand if able
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet together, we take time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests, please add them as a comment to this post, or you can contact someone from the church. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, I come to You in faith, knowing that You must be the only object of my faith and that without You I can do nothing. I put my trust in You, Lord, knowing that You are faithful and will never disappoint me. Help me look to Jesus, moment by moment, and to anchor my faith in Him Who is the Living Word, knowing that without Him I can do nothing... and yet in Christ I can do all things. Thank You, Father, that it is not the amount of faith that is important in Your sight, but the One in Whom I place my faith. Thank You for Your goodness, grace, and unfailing love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
This week's lesson is on Matthew 18:1-9.
The title Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah. Both refer to the anointed one of God, God's chosen king. In some places, writers will say "Jesus the Christ" in order to emphasize the title. Christ is not Jesus' last name.
All of the gospels include the phrase, "kingdom of God," to talk about God's rule on earth. Matthew also includes the phrase, "the kingdom of heaven." To receive the kingdom requires that people be born again and obey the will of God. Today's lesson also reveals a third condition to enter God's kingdom. The initial discussion of greatness centers on being great on earth. Certainly the Messiah would need other people in authority, just like an earthly kingdom. But the kingdom of heaven is different. The disciples would need to reconsider what was important. They would need to become guileless and without pretense, like a child. Children rely on others to care for them. There is little they can do for themselves. This is the kind of reliance on God required of us. When Jesus says, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me," our book says that this is not referring to a literal child. Instead, it means that we should show hospitality to all people. This is an example of practicing humility. Causing a person to stumble is meant to causing someone to transgress from God's law. Followers of Jesus should not cause other believers to sin, and they should not abuse any authority that they might have. Either would lead to swift and certain judgment. Believers must throw away anything that causes them to sin. Our book says that the last few verses are part metaphor and part hyperbole. They are meant to sound extreme in order to drive home a point. Remove causes of sin.
Conclusion
We are bombarded with messages and images that celebrate people who appear great by the standards of the world. We must embrace Jesus' definition of greatness -- it must include childlike humility. Further, followers must remove those things that would cause themselves or others to stumble in sin. Finally, followers of Jesus must embrace an attitude of trust and humility. We should be confident that God will provide for his people and show mercy consistent with his nature. When we embrace this attitude, we will share in the promised glory from God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, transform our hearts and minds so that we will continue to seek the kind of greatness that is required in your kingdom. Orient our hearts toward the actions and habits that mark citizens of your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Our benediction this week is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson is on John 4:7-15, 28-30, 39-41.
Today's guest speaker is Don Herschell.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Choir Introit ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 121 L: I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come? P: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. L: God will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. P: He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. L: The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. P: The sun shall not strike us by day, nor the moon by night. L: The Lord will keep you from all evil; God will keep your life. P: The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this time on and forevermore. All: Let us worship God. INVOCATION Don Herschell
HYMN “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” #645
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) You call us to become pilgrims, to follow you in a journey of faith. We would find it easier to follow when not so much is at stake. But you promise that you will be with us and that our needs will be met. You lead us into unfamiliar places, asking that we trust in your will. Yet we cling to our possessions, trusting in them for security instead. O God, your way is challenging when we choose to be complacent. You make great demands; we are anxious and uncertain. Have mercy upon us and forgive our hesitant steps toward the promise. We ask this in the name of Christ, our Savior. * Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for illumination Scripture readings: Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-17 Debbie Mary L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon: “A MATTER OF TRUST” Responding to the Word HYMN “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” #829 * Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer HYMN “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” #761 *Choir *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay *Please stand if able
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take some time to share our joys and concerns together. If you have any prayer requests to share, please include them in the comments on this post, or let someone at the church know. When you are ready, please use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Father God, we gather here today under your care and protection. Thank you for your lovingkindness that never fails us. We thank you for those with us, that you would guide our thoughts and actions to bring you glory. Strengthen us and fill us with your peace. May we love and serve each other as Jesus has shown us. Fill us with the Holy Spirit to do your good work on earth. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Luke 15:11-24.
What is the meaning of this parable? The character of the forgiving father is a picture of God. In the story, Jesus identifies with God in His loving attitude toward the lost, symbolized by the younger son. The older brother represents the self-righteous. The major theme of this parable is restoration of a believer into fellowship with the Father. The father waits and watches eagerly for his son’s return. In this story we see the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son. It is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance.
Although asking for his share was perfectly within his rights it is not a loving thing to do. It implied that he wished his father dead. His inheritance would have been ½ of the older brothers, which is roughly ⅓ of the entire estate. Like the younger son, we all possess a foolish ambition to be independent. This son learned the hard way that covetousness leads to a life of dissatisfaction and disappointment. He also learned that the most valuable things in life are things we cannot buy or replace. In the foreign land, the son squanders al his inheritance on selfish, shallow fulfillment, losing everything. he finds himself in the detestable job of feeding pigs. Even these unclean animals were better off than he was. The results of sin are never pretty. He begins to see his father in a new light and Hope begins to dawn in his heart. He longs to return to his father. His plan is genuine repentance. “I am not worthy to be your son.” When the father sees him, he runs to him, embraces him and kisses him. The father does not question or lecture him. He joyfully forgives him and receives him back into fellowship. God’s heart if full of compassion for His children: He stands ready to welcome returning dimmers back with joyous celebration. The son is transformed into the guest of honor in a rich man’s home. The actions of the father show us that “the Lord does not treat us as our sins deserve of repay us according to our sins. Instead of condemnation there is rejoicing for a son who “was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” The tragic character in the parable is the older son. He becomes angry and refuses to go into the house. His words and actins reveal hid relationship with his father was based on works and merit. He despises his younger brother as deserving. He does not understand grace and has no room for forgiveness. Grace toward his brother makes him angry. He thinks the brother does not deserve a party and disowned him as a brother. Grace and acceptance is beyond his understanding. His focus was on himself and his own service; as a result, he had no joy in hid brother’s return. He had allowed bitterness to take root in his heart to the point that he was unable to show compassion toward his brother. The older brother - and the religious leaders of Jesus’ day - failed to realize that “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him” (1 John 2:9-11). This story is one of the most beautiful pictures of God’s grace. God is ready to forgive. He will save the contrite, not by works but by His grace, through faith.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are loving, merciful and kind. We rejoice that you accept us into your family and love us. Help us reveal your kindness and generosity to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Matthew 18:1-9.
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