Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Mason All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service. Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The Lord is holy and awesome and full of power! People: He sent his Son to earth to redeem mankind. Leader: Jesus came and lived among us, dying that we might live. People: He returned to heaven, promising to return again one day. Leader: He will come in righteousness and holiness, bringing peace to all mankind. People: The Spirit of God lives with us now, moving and breathing life into our souls. Leader: We wait expectantly for our King, our Ruler, our Savior. People: He is coming. This we believe.
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Good morning! We're so glad you're joining us for the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the first Sunday in Advent. When we meet together in person, we share our joys and concerns before we focus on our Sunday school lesson. Think about your needs and concerns right now, and if you like, you can share them in the comments. Our Sunday school and church is now open so that we can join to worship God, to learn about God’s word and to encourage each other in person. We are grateful to be back together, but we continue to pray for those who not yet able to participate in person or who do not yet feel comfortable participating in person. We are glad that those who cannot be with us physically are able to learn and worship with us here online. Today’s lesson is on Acts 10:34-47. It is the story of how God opened the way for the gospel to be proclaimed to all people without favoritism. It gives us an opportunity to think about how we relate to those who are different from us. Do we show partiality to those who are like us? Who think like us? Who look like us or who are in the same economic class as us? If God does not show favoritism, it follows that we should not, either. The following — slightly edited — prayer was posted on William Hagenbach’s blog. You can see his entire post at https://williamhagenbuch.com/when-favoritism-doesnt-fly/. Lord, help us hear ourselves when we use words that define people different than us, and then grant us the courage to love beyond our comfort places so that You are known and shown in the world You gave all of us. Amen. This week's lesson is on Acts 10:34-47.
We welcome you to our joint Thanksgiving Eve Service with Upper Buffalo. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason. Gathering Around the Word
Prelude ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Winds blow, rains fall, storms rage, People: God is our strength and sanctuary. Leader: Floods rise, waves batter, wars ravage, People: God is our strength and sanctuary. Leader: Violence threatens, hunger abounds, diseases flourish, People: God is our strength and sanctuary. All: We are safe here in this Spirit place, for God’s sustaining and nourishing Spirit surrounds and affirms us. Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service. Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: We gather together for worship, and People: We come with questions we cannot answer. Leader: We wonder about what we believe – People: How can there be war when Jesus brought peace? Leader: How can there be life everlasting? People: We gather for worship, and Leader: We come uncertain, yet expectant. People We come wary, yet wondering. Leader :We come doubtful, yet open to receive. Good morning! We're so glad you decided to join us today! When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. Take some time to think about the past week, and the joys and concerns you have. Again, as we are in the season of thanksgiving, consider what you have been thankful for. If you would like, you can share by commenting on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started. Loving Lord, As I express my gratitude to you in prayer, may it be a pleasing, joyful sound to you. Thank you, Lord, for your love. It brings me acceptance and significance. Thank you, Lord, for your truth. It brings me guidance and direction. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. It brings me help and comfort. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. It brings me stability and strength. Thank you, Lord, for your beauty displayed in the earth. It brings me joy and delight. Thank you, Lord, for your way of redemption - the cross. It brings me salvation and regeneration. Amen. Today's lesson is on Revelation 19:1-8.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing Introit Surely The Presence ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: We are called to bring a new understanding of God: that God so loves the world. People: We are the salt of the earth. Leader: We are called to bring a new hope in God: that God gives us new life. People: We are the light of the world. Leader: We are called to follow the commandments and the law. People: The law of God is to love God and to love one another. Leader: Come, let us be the salt of the earth, the light of the world. People: Come, let us love one another with the love of God. Leader: Let us join together in our love of God to worship and follow Jesus. Good morning! We're so glad you decided to join us today! When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Take some time as you consider your past week. What joys or concerns do you have? As we walk in this season of thanksgiving, think about what you were thankful for in the last week. If you have anything you would like to share, you can add it as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started. O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless; When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all; When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help; By word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen. Today's text is Revelations 11:15-19.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Robert Hedges, Executive Director of Resurrection Power. Today is our Thank Offering Sunday. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service. PRELUDE “My Country Tis of Thee”
INTROIT: “America the Beautiful” CHOIR ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP: (adapted from Psalm 105: 1 - 5) LEADER: Give thanks to the Lord; call on God’s name. PEOPLE: Make known God’s deeds among the peoples. LEADER: Sing to God; sing praises to God. PEOPLE: Tell all of God’s wonderful works. LEADER: Glory in God’s holy name. PEOPLE: Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. LEADER:` Seek the Lord and the Lord’s strength. PEOPLE: Seek God’s presence continually. ALL: Remember the wonderful works God has done! Good morning! We're so glad you decided to join us today! When we meet for Sunday School, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. Take some time to think over the past week, and any prayer requests you might have. If you would like, you can share them in the comments of today's lesson. When you are ready, use the prayer (source) below to get started. O God, we thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the salt sea and the running water, for the everlasting hills and the never-resting winds, for trees and the common grass underfoot. We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of the summer fields, and taste of the autumn fruits, and rejoice in the feel of the snow, and smell the breath of the spring. Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty; and save our souls from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory, O God our creator, Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. This week's lesson is on Revelation 7:9-17. Three things should be observed by careful readers. First, Revelation combines elements of ancient letters, prophetic, texts and apocalyptic literature. It is considered partially a letter because how the book opens with a greeting and is addressed to specific churches. Revelation is considered a form of prophecy given to John in order that he might declare the “testimony of Christ“. Revelation is considered apocalyptic text. A proper understanding of Revelation requires recognizing the imagery and language of apocalyptic literature. Second, the book of Revelation is loaded with allusions to the Old Testament and assumes the audience’s familiarity with their source. Third, Revelation emphasizes worshiping God. The text is filled with poetic scenes of worship. Each one makes claims about who is worthy to be worshipped in Heaven and on Earth. Revelation calls the people to worship ’Our God, who sits on the throne “ and “ the Lamb” Today’s passage continues John’s vision of Heaven. Several startling events have occurred: the glorious entry of the Lamb into the throne room and the introduction of a sealed scroll and its opening, leading to the dramatic gathering of the servants of God. John then turned his attention to the great multitude of people and witnessed their worship. The multitude of worshippers were vast and included people from every nation. This description reflects the worldwide penetration of the gospel. Regardless of one’s heritage or cultural context of origin, any person can believe and share in God’s salvation. The image of wearing white robes means that person was cleansed from sin. The multitude acknowledges that their hope for salvation is realized. They are waving palm branches. Christ’s death and resurrection as the Lamb of God enacts God’s salvation. All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. The first words of pronouncements justified because they have experience the Lord’s goodness. Glory carries the image of light - radiant like celestial bodies. God always does the right thing , having never failing wisdom. Giving thanks and honor to God for all he does. The hymn ends with Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength Be to our God forever and ever Amen. One of the elders asked John “These in white robes - who are they and where did they come from”. The elder answered his own question. “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. This could be related to prosecution at the hands of the Roman Empire or to us this could imply the future time of worldwide suffering and persecution. John’s vision affirms that following Jesus might result in suffering even to the point of martyrdom. The robes are white because they were washed in the blood of the Lamb represents Christ’s atonement and our forgiveness from sin based on his sacrificial death. The blood of the Lamb triumphs over sin and Satan. Because they are pure, clothed in their white robes, the multitude stands before the throne of God. They worship night and day. Never again will they hunger nor thirst. Physical needs will be met. The saints are in the glorious presence of God with his protection and blessing. John’s vision returns to the scene of heavenly worship and the source of all hope and salvation: the Lamb. Throughout John’s writing, he presents Jesus as a good shepherd. Now John presents the good shepherd as the Lamb., leading his followers to springs of living water of eternal life The Lamb brings eternal peace and comfort, removing sorrow by wiping every tear from their eyes. Conclusion Suffering was no stranger to American poet Fanny Crosby Blind since infancy, she undoubtedly experienced many trials and challenges. In all those, she was able to proclaim, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine… Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.” A prolific writer of more than 8,000 songs, this is just one of Crosby’s compositions that speak of Jesus’ blood. In the midst of her suffering, Crosby was yet able to praise and worship God for salvation available through the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7 is a high point in the Bible concerning worship and praise. This passage is timely for all audiences. It acknowledges that although suffering occurs, confident hope is always called for because of the salvation bought and brought by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus. In times of joy or suffering, that fact should unite us in praise and worship. May we be a people who live in hope as we await the day when we will hunger and thirst no more, the day of no more tears. Until that day, may our lives be marked with praise and worship to the God who sits on his heavenly throne and to the Lamb who brings salvation. Prayer Dear God, may we ever offer praise and thanksgiving for your glory, wisdom, honor, power, and strength. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. What do you think? In what way can you be Jesus’ hands and feet in comforting others until he returns? In what situations will be better for you to work individually in this regard rather than a group? Why? In what ways does today’s text inspire you to help your church improve an area of worship? Benediction This week's benediction is from the Berean Study Bible. Next week's lesson is on Revelation 11:5-19.
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