​             SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
December 26th 2021
1st Day of Christmas
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner, Family of Jack Braden, Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Rich Lewis, Tom Kelly is having Surgery on Jan 18, and Kay Werner had a stroke
 
PRELUDE
 
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
 
Words of Introduction & Scripture
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV) Christ is come to us! With gratitude and joy we light the Christ Candle and come to worship our Christ.
Sing (from O Come, All Ye Faithful): #41, chorus only
 
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
 
**CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 52:7,9, NRSV
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
 
 
GATHERING PRAYER
Lord, we come this day in celebration, but admitting that just as your people long ago needed peace, good news, and salvation, so do we. We come singing some of our favorite songs to worship you, and to receive that comfort you offer us in one of our favorite stories, the birth of your Son into our world. Be present with us, Lord, as we celebrate with you and receive once again the gifts you offer.  Amen.
 
*HYMN Joy to the World                                                  #40
 
 *CONFESSION
As we reflect on the past season, let us make our confession to God.
Lord, we confess to you the times we have rushed or shown our frustration. We confess the times we have been less than patient with those around us. We confess when we have spent too much or cared too little. We confess getting caught up in the world’s style of Christmas and the moments we forgot it’s all about you. Help us move into a new season with our focus sharpened and our hearts softened. Amen.
 
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE Titus 2:11-14, CEB
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. At the same time we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us in order to rescue us from every kind of lawless behavior, and cleanse a special people for himself who are eager to do good actions.
Because of the gift of Jesus, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
 
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
 
*PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
(You may be seated.)
 
 
     INTERLUDE
 
CELEBRATING CHRIST’S BIRTH IN SCRIPTURE AND SONG
Luke 2:1-8
Away In A Manger                                                                                                                                             #25
Luke 2:8-14
Angels From The Realms Of Glory                                                                                                                  #22
Luke 2:15-20
Angels We Have Heard On High                                                                                                                      #23
 
SCRIPTURE LESSON             Colossians 3:12-17, NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE         A Gift To Keep Giving
I like gifts that keep giving. As I look around my home there are gifts I received from folks in this church at Christmas or at my retirement that continue to give blessings to me. It might be decorations I enjoy at Christmas or year-round. It might be the blanket on my bed or the robe I snuggle in or the toaster oven I use several times a day. It’s furniture and luggage and clothes and memories of a lot of help as I moved into my home. It’s journals I use every Thursday or art supplies or the keyboard ready when I get inspired. I appreciate the on-going usefulness as well as the thoughtfulness of the ones who gave them or the gift money with which I bought them. Think about the gifts you gave and those you received this holiday season. Now imagine how much they will continue to give for a long time to come.
 
Of course that is also how it is with God’s gift to us the first Christmas. God gave us Jesus, the gift of God’s self, wrapped in human flesh, a gift that continues to give to us through the millennia. In our Call to Worship, Isaiah reminded us that Messiah would bring good news of salvation and would comfort and redeem us. These are gifts of God to us through Christ. In our Words of Assurance, we heard from Paul’s letter to Titus that God did indeed appear and bring salvation for all people. God’s grace came through Jesus, but not only for our own benefit. Paul’s message to Titus adds purpose to our salvation, that redeemed from our old sinful behavior we might live more ethical lives and do good in the world. I think as we turn to the reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians it elaborates what these ethical lives of doing good might include.
                                                                                               
As I read the whole section from Colossians, I am also reminded of Paul’s letter to the Romans, the second half of chapter 12. It includes many of the same ideas about how we are to live in this world and treat one another. Many other letters from Paul or Peter are also echoed in this passage. There is a consistency in what the early church was teaching new Christians, as if to say, Now that you believe Jesus came to save you from your sin, here is how you should live going forward. It may seem an unusual message to celebrate Christmas, but what I want us to consider is this. If we believe that God came in Jesus to buy us back from our slavery to sin, to give us that gift of a life that is free in Jesus, then how shall we live going forward? Having received the gift of Christ for ourselves, how do we embody and share that gift by the way we live?
 
So, let’s imagine for a moment a Christmas tree with lots of wrapped gifts under it. There is a creche nearby with baby Jesus smiling at us as we open these gifts one at a time. Maybe some of you opened gifts with family or friends this weekend or you have memories of doing that in the past. I think of gathering at Aunt Bert and Uncle Charlie’s. At some point after dinner we all found seats in the living room and either Mark or Mike dressed as Santa and came to hand out the gifts. We took turns opening them. Sometimes the younger children were helpers. In our imaginary scene as we explore today’s scripture there is a twist to the usual Christmas scene. While we open these gifts of God one at a time, we aren’t going to keep them to ourselves. I want each of you to think about where you can pass this gift forward, how can you share it with someone else in your life?
 
First, note that God chose you! Imagine how you feel when the gift being distributed comes to you, whether it came by mail, a knock on the door, or at a gathering, being chosen to receive a gift feels good. God chose you! Let go of any feelings you have of being unworthy or unwanted. God wanted you to receive all the gifts and blessings he sent his son to offer, and God crafted you especially to be one of God’s gifts to the world. You are precious to God. God chose you! Honestly I think to be chosen is in itself an important gift.
 
Second, God wants to make you holy. To be holy is to be a set apart sacred thing, something consecrated for God’s purposes. God loves you so much that God has a special purpose in mind for you. Because you are called to be God’s emissary with God’s mission to pursue, God wants you to wear appropriate spiritual clothing, so these next gifts are your spiritual attire.
 
Clothe yourselves with “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” It’s a five-piece suit, and every piece blends perfectly with the rest as if chosen by a celebrity stylist or inspired by a famous designer. Let’s take a moment to appreciate each piece.
 
Tenderhearted mercy is translated elsewhere as a heart full of compassion. Think about it. This is how God looks at you, with a heart full of compassion. This is how God wants you to look at others. Compassion and mercy don’t ignore our flaws, but love us anyway. Compassion sees our need and does whatever it can to meet that need. Mercy sees our mistakes and forgives us while still helping us see where we can do better. This tender heart of God doesn’t yell at us or belittle us, though it may nudge us pretty hard and consistently until we agree to the good things God wants for us and from us. Mercy and compassion from God see us as we are, accept us, yet want the best for us. That is how God hopes we will also look at others.
 
Kindness is one of the fruits of God’s Spirit, a quality God wants to plant and grow within us until it blossoms and bears fruit. To be kind is to do little things that make someone’s life better. It may be random acts of kindness done for a stranger perhaps anonymously like the stories we hear of leaving extra money for the next person’s coffee or helping pay for someone’s groceries. It may be the way we help our neighbor, like shoveling a sidewalk or sharing a plate of cookies. It may be the way we treat our family or others with a little help or a kind word or handling a problem quietly and simply without letting our frustration show. We’ll discover God’s kindness to us in so many little ways if we are paying attention. God also asks you to be kind to one another.
 
Humility is another gift. To be humble or lowly does not mean allowing yourself to be looked down on or trampled, but to have an attitude that lifts others up when they feel down. To be humble means you don’t lord it over anyone else. Think again about Jesus’ birth. The Lord of heaven humbled himself taking on human flesh and being born of a human mother who had nowhere but a manger to lay him that night. Jesus didn’t choose to be exalted by coming to a royal or wealthy family. Jesus wasn’t born in a fortress or a mansion. Jesus who came by humble birth and lived a simple life growing to be first a carpenter, then an itinerate teacher. He didn’t lord it over others, but shared his wisdom, gifts, and meager supplies with common folk, teaching them with examples from their everyday lives. God isn’t as obsessed with status as we humans tend to be. Regardless of our credentials, we are called to live simple lives, sharing what we have, and not thinking of ourselves as better than anyone else. Instead of bragging about ourselves, we are called to look for the good in everyone else.
 
Next we have the gift of gentleness. Jesus’ mother, Mary, is often described as gentle. Jesus also bears that trait. When Isaiah described the coming Messiah he said, “a bruised reed he will not break.” (Isaiah 43:3) That’s an image of gentleness. One with a soft touch, a soft-spoken word, one who brings no harm. Think about how Jesus cared for the sick or welcomed little children. Jesus was gentle with them. We can also offer a gentle touch, gentle spirit, and gentle words to those around us. It is a gift that may heal their wounded spirit.
 
Patience is a significant gift. I am such a slow learner sometimes; I’m certainly glad God is patient with me. I also crave the gift of being more patient with others. This is true not only on an individual level. God was patient a very long time with his people as they continued to wander astray. I pray God is patient with our world as we work to repair the damage done in the past and change our ways for the future. God asks us to “be patient in trouble” (Romans 12:12) and “patient with one everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) To be patient and kind are aspects of love (1 Corinthians 13:4).
 
Taken together these five characteristics mark a quality of Christian living. They are gifts of God’s spirit to us, that enable us to bless others as well. You will find them mentioned many times in the Bible, for they are enduring qualities God wants each of us to display to the best of our abilities relying on the grace God has already given to us.  They are what allow us to forgive others as God has forgiven us, just as verse 13 urges. They fit together as the wrapping of love binding everything together perfectly as God planned. They flow from the peace Christ offers us as we talked about last week, another precious gift God brings through Jesus.
 
As we receive daily from these gifts of God, let us be truly thankful. May we lift our spirits and perhaps even our voices to offer God praise for all God gives to us, and especially today for the gift of God’s Son, Jesus. May we share from these gifts with all those around us, so that together we dwell in God’s blessing and God’s peace. This is how we pay forward the gifts of Christmas.
 
 
*HYMN        O Come, All Ye Faithful                                          #41
 
 
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
 
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
 
OFFERING OUR LIVES
As the shepherds offered their worship to the newborn king, so we offer our worship and service to Christ who still reigns as King in our lives. May we share eagerly all he taught us and all we have received by his grace. Amen.
 
 
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow                                                  #592
 
​*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH          Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical)     p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
*HYMN Go, Tell It On The Mountain                                        #29
 
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING
 
 
*POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.

​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
December 12th 2021
3rd Sunday of Advent Joy
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner, Family of Jack Braden, Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, and Rich Lewis is having more tests this week.
 
PRELUDE
 
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
Words of Introduction & Scripture
The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their   heads. Happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and groaning will flee away. (Isaiah 35:10 CEB) In the midst of difficult times, God promised that his faithful would return with joy. Let us hold    onto that promise for our own times as we light the third Advent candle for joy.
Sing (from O Come, O Come, Emmanuel): Chorus Only #9
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
 
*CALL TO WORSHIP from Zephaniah 3:14-20, CEB
        Rejoice, Daughter Zion! Shout, Israel!
        Rejoice and exult with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem.
 The Lord has removed our judgment; he has turned away our enemy.
The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer fear evil….
        The Lord our God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory.
        He will create calm with his love;  he will rejoice over us with singing.
        The proclaims: I will deliver the lame; I will gather the outcast.
        I will change their shame into praise and fame throughout the earth.
        God promises: I will bring all of you back, at the time when I gather you.
        I will give you fame and praise among all the neighboring peoples
        when I restore your possessions and you can see them—says the Lord.
 
*GATHERING PRAYER
Lord, as we gather in your presence, gather all your beloved in your Spirit. May we worship you from our pews, from our homes, from wherever we are this day and every day. Amen.
 
*HYMN Rejoice, the Lord is King!                               #155
 
 *CONFESSION AND PARDON
Let us make our confession to the Lord.
God of all that is good. We confess to you that we are quick to complain and slow to praise. We get frustrated and even angry with situations around us or conditions with which we live. Yet we fail to notice and give thanks for many of the blessings surrounding us every day. Teach of patience and gratitude, that our lives may be filled with your joy until it overflows to bless someone next to us. Amen.
 
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON Isaiah 12:2-6
God sent us salvation through Jesus, God’s own Son. Through Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
 
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
 
*PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
(You may be seated.)
 
 
     INTERLUDE
 
word
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Luke 3:7-18
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
 
SERMON Joy!
 
 
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally focused on the word “Joy!” Heaven rejoiced when God’s Son was born on earth to bring God’s salvation to the world. Humans who had patiently waited and recognized their Messiah in Jesus also rejoiced. The Wise Men who came seeking a new king following the star were filled with joy as it came to rest over Bethlehem. It is a joy filled time of year for many.
 
For two Sundays we have had readings from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I think from one perspective we could say this is the Joy letter. In chapter 1 Paul wrote that every time he thanks God for them and prays for them, it is a prayer filled with joy. (v.4) In Chapter 2 he begs them to “complete [his] joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.” (v.2) In Chapter 3 he asks them to “rejoice in the Lord!” (v.1) In Chapter 4, Paul claims that they are his joy, and continues to plead with them, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (v.4)  As we read Paul’s encouragement in joy, we might forget Paul’s own circumstances at the time. He is writing from prison. As verses 12-13 will go on to say, we rejoice in spite of our circumstances, because Christ is our strength.
 
This is our second Advent and Christmas season in the pandemic that history will remember as marking the beginning this decade. I’m pretty sure we are as tired of the pandemic as the Jews were of the Roman occupation at the time Jesus was born. As that circumstance dominated every aspect of their lives, so does the corona virus
dominate ours. Just as their reactions and compliance varied, so do ours. As they looked at the world around them, it may have been hard to rejoice. It was still hard as Paul wrote his letters. Not only did the Romans still control a vast region, but those who believed Jesus was indeed the Messiah were persecuted by those who did not agree. I look at the things over which our world disagrees and the persecution that results, and I groan that not much has improved in how humans treat one another. Labels and issues may change, attitudes toward those different from us haven’t changed nearly enough. From pandemic to injustice, the daily news makes it hard to rejoice, and yet….
 
And yet, what God still longs to offer us is hope, and for Christians that hope is based on Jesus the Christ, God’s Son, born in the flesh into our world, Emmanuel meaning God with us, born to save us from our own sin and to bring light to all the areas of darkness in our world. Jesus came to bring hope and peace and love and joy!
 
In our Gospel lesson today, as people heard John the Baptist preach a message of hope, they asked, “What must we do?” As we await the fullness of the good news Jesus offers our world, we might ask the same thing. I have always believed that our faith is meant to lead us to cooperate with God’s work in our world. We cannot make a better world by ourselves. But God also chooses not to do all the work for us. Perhaps we can only experience the fullness of God’s intentions for our world when we cooperate to bring them into being.
 
How should we cooperate in a way that would bring joy to God and to our world? Luke records John telling the people to repent which means to turn around. We would say to turn their lives around, or as the Common English Bible translates it, to change their hearts and lives. The New Spirit Filled Study Bible Notes point to three concrete suggestions in verses 11 – 14 answering what people could do to turn their lives around in Jesus’ time. First, it tells them to share what they have, giving away a coat if they had two. Second, specifically to tax collectors, he said to collect no more than they should. If you remember Zacchaeus’ story, you know some tax collectors collected extra for their own wealth. Third, specifically to the soldiers present, he told them not to harass anyone, but be satisfied with their pay.
 
How would we translate John’s words to our own day? What should we do to turn our world around?
First, give generously of what you have. That might mean donating financially to charity. It might mean going through your cupboards or closets to downsize your excess and share them through a food pantry or thrift store, so that someone else might find what they need. You might have a talent to share and enough time on your hands to use it for someone else’s benefit. Everyone one has something to share. In this season of giving, think of what you can share, but don’t restrict your generosity to this time of year. Let it become a habit year-round.
 
Second, ask or expect no more than you should. That’s a little tougher to flesh out. Few of us are in a position to be collecting funds from anyone. But what other transactions are part of our lives? Do you have expectations that are sometimes hard for your friends or family to fulfill? What about your expectations of service staff in stores or restaurants, city workers, delivery services, medical personnel? Life is rough for them, too, especially this time of year. Let your gratitude, patience, and consideration be more than your expectations or demands or complaints. Expect what is appropriate, but not more than you should.
 
Third, don’t harass anyone. In our world this covers a lot of territory. Harassment comes in many forms from verbal abuse to cyber bullying. It includes physical assault and sexual inuendo. Harassment may take the form of stereotyping or common gossip. Harassment is experienced as racial, gender, and other forms of prejudice. It may be felt simply as intimidation or exclusion by the way we speak or even look at someone. Let me say, that to understand harassment you have to see it from the perspective of the person feeling harassed. Whether intended or not, your words or behavior might make someone else very uncomfortable, to the point that person feels harassed.
 
There’s not much joy for those who don’t have enough, for those who are weary from others’ expectations or complaints, for those who feel someone else is judging them, looking down on them, or taking advantage of them. One way we can bring more joy to our world is to carefully and respectfully evaluate our own resources, habits, words, and behaviors.
 
For others the holidays are a tough time because they are missing family. It might just be that they can’t get together because of the pandemic or the distance or someone has to work. But in other cases a loved one is no longer here, and that leaves a sad emptiness in the midst of the holidays. For some they have been alone a long time, but it’s still painful at Christmastime. Perhaps you know someone who needs a visit, a phone call, or an invitation to a holiday meal. What can we do to make life better for someone else?
 
The cards we signed last week will bring joy to those who receive them. The gloves and scarves and hats on your mitten tree will bring joy as well. A kind word, a cute joke, a little gift, a bright smile can bring joy to someone’s day. These are easy enough that all of us can become joy bringers. That thought led me to a fun slogan for today’s message. I imagined ringing a bell with the words “Brrring in the joy!” What a fun way to be Jesus’ helpers this season with the task of brrringing joy to the world!
 
How do you do that if you are the one without joy in your own heart? Go back to Paul’s message to the Philippians a moment. “Be anxious for nothing.” Pray with gratitude” making your requests known to God.” And know that “peace of Christ that surpasses our understanding.” (all from Phil. 4)
Again the Spirit Filled Study Bible Notes claim that prayer and peace are closely connected and go on to say, “One who entrusts cares to Christ instead of fretting over them will experience the peace of God to guard him from nagging anxiety.” Sorrows and worries and other cares will come. That’s the nature of our human existence in a fallen world. But I remember someone once saying that doesn’t mean you have to let them take up permanent residence in your life. Whether it is your own burden or someone else’s you observe, continually surrender that burden up to Christ in prayer. I can’t tell you how long it will take, but I am convinced that God will be at work in the midst of that situation and that peace will come. One of my favorite promises in scripture is from Psalm 147:3, “He heals the broken hearted, binding up their wounds.”
 
Rather than allowing the concerns of life to rob you of joy, do what you can to make things better inviting God into the situation with the wisdom and strength and resources that are beyond your own abilities. Rest in your faith trusting God to be faithful, even when you can’t see the answer. Then turn your mind to focus on the things that do bring joy. In the very next verse of Philippians 4, Paul gives this advice, “From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.” As you consider these things, let them bring joy to your heart and life, even enough to share when someone else needs a joyful lift.
 
So let’s end with some joyful images of the season and bring a smile to our spirits! I asked on Facebook for joyful images of Christmas. I was surprised by some common answers from a variety of friends. Many relate to sharing time with family. Several revolved around Nativity sets. Many were about attending candlelight Christmas Eve services. Pause for a moment and let these images bring a smile and perhaps a related memory to your Advent.
 
A full house, full of my children, their spouses, and 5 grandsons. Full of love and excitement. (Rita)
I always like helping my Grandma the whole week before. She fed about 30 some. Each day was a different task. The one I remember most is setting the table in advance. She taught what order everything goes. (Laura)
Children, their joy and excitement. Family, enjoy every moment you have…(Patty)
My momma home and a quiet day with mom, dad and our family (this from a friend, Mandi, whose mom has been in the hospital)
A lit Christmas tree. And, I agree about the joy of the children!! My grandson makes our holiday!! (Barb)
My twin grandsons more excited about delivering everyone's packages than opening their own. (Renee)
Reading the Christmas story to the entire family, and watching the reactions of the grandchildren and great grandkids as we point out the various participants in the crèche! Celebrating the greatest gift God gave, His son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! (Judy)
The nativity scene & then when my family is sitting in my living room opening presents …I stop & look around & look at their beautiful faces & smiles…& I thank God for my family & his precious birth of our savior (Tanya)
Building a Christmas creche with our kids....imagining a midwife conversing with the angels while she waits on Mary....(Boo)
Watching my younger grandchildren playing with the nativity set. They act it out with the figures. The animals talk. Baby Jesus cries. Mommy Mary tries to console him. Priceless.  (Jeanne)
My children also played with the nativity set. And when they were older it was my son’s job to set it out and arrange it. I love that memory. Even as a teenager he took such care. (Kathleen)
Candlelight service with my family & singing carols by Candlelight  (Debra)
Candlelight Christmas Cantata when we were children at St John’s. Each year I can almost sing the entire piece in my head. (Susan)
Christmas Eve service at midnight at Riverside Presbyterian Church…all warm and cozy with only candlelight lighting in the church….I miss this soooo much… (Christina)
Singing silent night with the lights dimmed in church on Christmas eve (Beth)
The star (Dale)
The angel on top our tree watching over all of us, reminding us to share the good news. (Linda)
[These are some of the Facebook responses to my post. I did indicate at the beginning that they were to be shared in my Sunday message.]
 
In the midst of whatever bad tidings come in the daily news or personal frustrations and challenges may come your way in the next few weeks, I suggest that you take time each day to ponder the images that bring joy to you this time of year. Take care of the business that needs to be done. Speak to injustice and other concerns around you. But balance that with appreciating the joy God sends your way and brrring some joy to others as well. In the midst of it all don’t forget the words from Zephaniah in our call to worship, that God rejoices over you with singing, too!
 
 
 
*HYMN Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!                              #28
 
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
 
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
 
​OFFERING OUR LIVES
We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving for the many blessings in our lives. May we truly live in joy through Christ our Lord!  Amen.
 
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow                  #592
 
* AFFIRMATION         Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version                                  p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
 
*HYMN Joy to the World #40
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING
 
 POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
 
 
 
 
 
 

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
December 5th 2021– PREPARE!
2nd Sunday of Advent
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                   
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing 
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke, Jane , , Amy Jacobs, Bonnie Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx had a knee replacement and Tom Kelly who is recovering from surgery. Lois Seger, the Steven’s Family, Patti Thomas’s Family, Lassen Family Death Uwe’s son Robert, Family of Elise King,  Jon Ryner, Family of Jack Braden, and Lucy Melvin hip surgery October 25
 
PRELUDE
 
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
 
Words of Introduction & Scripture
The voice of one calling out, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3, NASB) In the wilderness of our world right now, in the desert of our own struggles, let us prepare a way for our God to be born anew in our lives as we light the second Advent candle.
Sing (from O Come, O Come, Emmanuel): Chorus Only
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.                                   # 9
 
 
 
*CALL TO WORSHIP Song of Zechariah Luke 1:68-79
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for He has visited and redeemed His people,
 
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of His servant David,
as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,
that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
 
to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
     the oath which He swore to our father Abraham,
to grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
    for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
 
 
*GATHERING PRAYER (UNISON)
As we come into your presence this day, O God, we give thanks that you prepared to save us from our own sin and from the harm that comes to us through others. You invite us to be a people of worship who live in light and peace. Increase our love for you. Amen.

*HYMN Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus #2
 
 
 *Confession 
Let us make our confession to the God who has mercy on us:
Gracious God, as we consider the days past, we confess the ways we have failed to do your will or the times we have chosen what is not healthy for ourselves, for others, or for creation. Forgive us we pray, and help us to live each day for you. Amen.
 
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                  Malachi 3:14
As God forgave and refined the people long ago, so God forgives and refines us today if we will accept the work of God’s Spirit within us. Thanks be to God!
 
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
 
*PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
(You may be seated.)
 
 
     INTERLUDE
word
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
 
Luke 3:1-6
3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,  make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in,  every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
 
SERMON Prepare
The Advent word for today is Prepare. This is the second Sunday of Advent; we are one week into that season of preparing for Christmas.
 
I know many people started putting up their decorations for Christmas a few weeks ago. I was seeing pictures of decorated Christmas trees on Facebook by mid-November. I started this sermon about the same time. I had already planned my bulletin material for Advent and Christmas Sundays the first week of November. Maybe you started early on Christmas cards and gifts or made decisions about Christmas charities. You may already have your Christmas cookies and have plans for Christmas travel or guests or dinner at home.
 
I prefer waiting until Advent to begin putting up decorations or listen to Christmas music. Some of you may know my personal frustration is ending Christmas when the season actually begins; so here’s my little reminder – Christmas is from December 25 all the way through January 5; those are the 12 days of Christmas. Right now we are in Advent, the four Sundays and weeks before Christmas, a the time of preparing for the gift of Christmas.
 
We do many physical preparations. Decorations, cards, and gifts delight our sight. Christmas music appeals to our hearing. Cookies go for our senses of smell and taste. As we drove through the Symphony of Lights Wednesday night, I realized that all of those same senses were stimulated in delightful ways, eating a Christmas cookie and listening to Christmas music as we drove through all of those light displays. These are things we look forward to each year, yet the real work of preparing for Christmas sometimes gets lost or perhaps is even unknown to much of our world. I’m talking about our need for spiritual preparation.
 
First, let’s take a look at how God prepared for Christmas. God sent prophets centuries before, pointing out to people where they had gone astray from God’s intentions and the best life God wanted for them. Zechariah’s song in our call to worship reminds us, that God “spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago, that we should be saved from our enemies …that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve [God] without fear, in holiness and righteousness before [God]  all the days of our lives.” (Luke 1:70,72)  An important part of God’s preparation was sending a son to Zechariah who would be a new prophetic voice pointing to God’s own Son, the fulfillment of all those promises.
 
Zechariah’s boy was John the Baptist who came to be “the voice calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” Luke 3:4) Why? So, “all people will see God’s salvation.” (Luke 3:6) Jesus is that source of salvation, the One proclaimed by the prophets and by John the Baptist. The name Jesus literally means, “God saves.” Paul wrote to the Philippians his prayer that they “will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:11) What we celebrate at Christmas in the birth of Christ is God setting into motion God’s long-awaited plan for salvation, to bring us back into a right relationship with God. It makes sense then to spend some of our preparation time, amid the sights and sounds, tastes and smells, the touch of this season, to spiritually prepare for that gift of salvation to be renewed in us. Here are some suggestions for your spiritual preparation to be renewed by Christ’s birth.
As you enjoy all the lights of the season, remember Jesus who came as the “light to the nations” prophesied by Isaiah or the “light of the world” as proclaimed by the gospel writer, John. Ponder these words from scripture:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.. (Isaiah 9:2)
…I will appoint you as light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who trusts in me might not remain in the dark. (John 12:46)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. (John 1:5)
 
What does that light mean to you? What needs to be brought to light in your life? Where are you hiding in darkness? Every time you light a candle or switch the lights on your tree and other decorations, take a moment to ponder the gift of Christ as the light of the world and the gift of bathing you in God’s light forever. Prayerfully let go of any dark areas in your own thinking or behavior and ask God’s light to enter into every aspect of your daily life.
The sounds of the Christmas story began with the voices of angels, from Gabriel speaking to two sets of parents, to a chorus of angels singing the first Christmas carols accompanied by the bleating of sheep. There was the cooing of a mother to her newborn, the lowing of whatever animals shared their space, and then the shepherds telling everyone the good news. We sing carols that continue to tell the world their story and the message of the season. In the most familiar Advent carols we long for Jesus as we sing “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” or “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” In Christmas carols we hear,
“No more let sins and sorrows grow…He comes to make his blessings flow” (Joy to the World)
“God and sinners reconciled…Light and life to all he brings” (Hark, the Herald Angels Sing)
“God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.” (Go, Tell It On the Mountain)
 
As you listen to these songs this year, sing along out loud or mentally and pay attention to the words. What messages of hope, joy, and peace is God singing to you through them? What sin still lurks within you and within our world that needs the Savior’s healing grace? Pray for Emmanuel to come dwell within us and among us, God with us yet again, to bring righteousness and salvation to our world now as then.
 
Perhaps you will also remember that Zechariah was rendered silent, because he didn’t believe what God could do through he and his wife in their old age. Receiving God’s message of hope and salvation for ourselves is the first step, and Zechariah struggled even with that. It wasn’t until his son John was born that Zechariah’s voice returned and with it he proclaimed God’s coming salvation for the world. The shepherds did not keep the news of Jesus’ birth to themselves, but as they “returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:19) others must have heard as well. When we share our Christmas spirit with others, they hear the story of our faith, too.
As an action point to that message today, we have prepared for you to sign some cards that will go to those on prayer list in our worship bulletin. I hope you will take a moment after worship today to step into Calvin Hall and sign these cards as part of your Christmas preparation and sharing your Christmas faith.
 
What about our sense of taste and smell? Christmas baking comes to mind. The cookies and breads smell so good as they come out from the oven and taste so good when they cool down to eat. These are among the many tastes and aromas we enjoy during the season. One scripture in particular comes to mind, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) I discovered another, also from Psalms “your Word is so pleasing to my taste buds— it’s sweeter than honey in my mouth!”  (119:103) As you bite into your Christmas favorites and savor the flavor, take a moment to ponder the goodness of God. What has God brought into your life that makes it as sweet as that cookie or as savory and satisfying as the meal you are eating? How about taking a moment with your favorite Christmas beverage and goodie while reading a bit from God’s Word, and enjoy the richness of both?
 
As for our sense of smell, did you know that the burning of sacrifices in Old Testament times or even incense used in worship today is about offering a sweet fragrance to God? The laws of the Torah say to bring certain foods and “burn them on the altar for a sweet and soothing aroma before the Lord.” (Exodus 29:25) Later, God was angry they had begun to offer such sweet-smelling sacrifices to other gods and warned the people through the prophet Ezekiel. But God also promised through Ezekiel a time when those who honored God would be brought out of exile. “I will accept you [graciously] as a pleasant and soothing aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands in which you have been scattered.” (Ezekiel 20:41)
 
It is no longer by burnt offerings that we bring a sweet aroma to honor God, it is by our own behavior. In the New Testament, Mary honored Jesus by anointing his feet with an expensive perfume. Paul thanked the Philippians for gifts they sent him calling them a pleasing aroma. As you smell a fragrant pine or your favorite Christmas treat, pause to ask yourself in what ways your life offers a pleasing aroma to God. So much of what goes on in our world today stinks as badly as the world did in Ezekiel’s time. But we can still offer something of ourselves to God in ways that make the world much sweeter for all of us, and to please God as well.
 
I pondered longer the sense of touch, and here is the contrast I found. I thought about Mary wrapping baby Jesus in the softness of swaddling cloth before she laid him in a manger filled with rough, scratchy straw. In my own Christmas preparations I experienced the scratchy fake pine of my wreathe as I hung it on the door and even broke out in a rash on my wrists. But I enjoyed soft warm comfort wrapped in my furry robe, a gift from a previous Christmas. Jesus came to us in a vulnerable human body like ours; he was not immune to the harsh, scratchy, roughness of our world. But Jesus came offering to wrap us in the soft, warm comfort of God’s love. John’s Gospel shares Jesus telling his disciples, “In the world you will endure suffering. But take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) In today’s Gospel reading, Luke quotes Isaiah 40. In the Old Testament that chapter begins, “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned.” (Isaiah 40:1-2a) As you touch a prickly Christmas decoration, consider the harsh rough spots in our world today. There are so many. Offer a prayer asking God to be present in those situations around the world. Then as you sit in your favorite spot wrapped in a warm sweater or blanket or robe, pause to give God thanks for all the ways God comforts you even in the midst of suffering and troubles.
 
I’m not asking you to take on an extra burden in preparation for the season. I’m asking you to let your physical senses remind you to experience God’s presence and goodness in everything around you as you enjoy this season. It’s just that sometimes we forget to pause long enough to take that in, even though God is reaching out to us through every sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. Take that moment here and there this season, and perhaps it will become a habit that lasts all year. That would be sweet indeed!
 
 
**HYMN Lo, How A Rose E’re Blooming                              #48
 
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
 
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
 
OFFERING OUR LIVES
As God has offered to live in our midst through God’s Son, Jesus, so we offer ourselves to live for God’s purpose and pleasure in our daily lives. May God help us fulfill this vow. Amen.
 
*DOXOLOGY                                                                                                           P. 14
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
​Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
 
*HYMN Let Us Break Bread Together #513
INVITATION AND INSTRUCTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
 
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
 
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise,
…
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
 
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
 
You are holy, O God of majesty,
…
dedicated to your service.
 
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
 
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
…
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
now and forever.
 Amen.
 
 
RECEIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING               
 
*POSTLUDE
 
 
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
Presbyterians practice open communion which means anyone who seeks to be in a relationship with Christ is welcome at the table regardless of denomination, age, or status. The communion elements are already in your pew, and you will be instructed when to eat the wafer and when to drink the juice.
 

 





​

​               SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
October 31, 2021
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez,  Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke, Jane , , Amy Jacobs, Bonnie Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx had a knee replacement and Tom Kelly who is recovering from surgery. Lois Seger is moving to Council Bluffs, IA to be near her daughter and will be living  in an assisted living -we send her with love, the Steven’s Family, Reed Family, Patti Thomas’s Family, Lassen Family Death Uwe’s son Robert, Family of Elise King, and Lucy Melvin hip surgery October 25
 
PRELUDE
 
*Call to worship Unison (Psalm 134:1-2 )
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord, lift up your hands to the holy place, and praise the Lord”
 
*GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
Lord, as we come before You, help us to leave other things behind so we can focus on You. Help us to quiet all the noises in our heads and hearts so we can hear what You have to say to us. Help us to calm all the fears in our hearts so we can do what You call us to do. We ask all this in Jesus’ name, amen.
 
 
 
*HYMN              We gather Together                                                                   No. 559            
 
Prayer of Confession (UNISON)
 We come before You God, knowing full well we have not always been an obedient child. We have said and done things we knew we should not say or do. We have failed to do things we know we should have done and we know we have no right to be here.
Yet, You have loved us and called us Your children.
 
You have promised Your love, forgiveness and grace to all those who call upon You. Because of Your promises, we turn to You, asking Your strength for this day and every day. Be with us now and at all times so we may grow in our dedication and service to You. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
 
Assurance of Pardon
(Pastor) God has promised mercy and forgiveness to all those who seek Him. Because of those promises we can say, (Unison) we are forgiven people, thanks be to God, Amen
   
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
THE OFFERING
 
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God, we give because You give to us so freely. We know all we have and all we are comes from You. Bless our gifts and bless us we pray. Amen
 
INTERLUDE
Word
 
Prayer for Illumination
(Unison) “Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth, thou has for me” (from Hymn of same title, first phrase)
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Mark 10:46-52
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him. “So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
 
SERMON                                  “Take heart”
 
 
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to face the last days of His life. Mark says there was a large crowd following him. The crowd may have been there for many reasons but Jesus was focused on what lay ahead of Him. Mark then introduces Bartimaeus the blind beggar, not only does he name him but he identifies the father, Timaeus, as well. There are a couple of reasons Mark does this, 1) because blind people are almost always beggars and, as such, are close to invisible in that society. they had no social significance nor standing of any kind and not really worth anyone’s attention. 2) we discover at the end of the story Bartimaeus, once he had been healed, became a follower of Jesus. There are several healings in Mark’s gospel but this is the only one recorded that later became a follower of Jesus and so he is unique in several ways.
Word spread quickly through town that Jesus was making his way there. clearly, because there was a large crowd following Him, word about Jesus was also making its way through. People were caught up in the things Jesus was saying and doing. Rumors were rampant that this Jesus just might be the long-awaited messiah of Israel. Everyone wanted to be close to the excitement, to see and hear what Jesus might do next.
When Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus, he began to cry out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me” the title “son of David” was not one commonly used in speaking about the Messiah but several places in the Psalms hold up a special relationship between the greatest King of Israel and the Messiah who was coming to bring in the day of the lord. These places seem to tie the Messiah to Jerusalem in a special way because David is often referred to as, “a man after God’s own heart”
When the crowd heard Bartimaeus cry out, they tried to silence him. After all, he is only a beggar, Jesus surely had better things than deal with that sort of person. There are no doubt many important people in the crowd following Jesus, surely, Jesus will deal with them. No one has time to spend on dealing with a beggar. Bartimaeus has different ideas. The more the crowd tries to silence him, the more he cries out. If the word was out about Jesus, then the many healings he had performed had been heard of. Perhaps, Bartimaeus thought, just perhaps if I yell loud enough, I will be heard and Jesus will heal me as he has healed others, after all, I have nothing to lose by trying.
Jesus, hearing him said, “call him here” the one the crowd had tried to silence, the one whom people tended to ignore, the one who is ordinarily on the outside of everything was now the focus of everyone’s attention. Out of all the people who were following Jesus, out of all the people who were gathered from the town itself, this beggar was the one Jesus called. Everyone’s attention was now on full alert, what was Jesus going to do now that he had called this blind beggar forward?
When Bartimaeus heard this, Mark says, “so, throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus” at first, this sounds very casual but it has real significance for a person in Bartimaeus’ position. The cloak was the thing that kept the sun and rain off a person. The cloak was the thing that gave them warmth at night, the cloak was the thing they sat on during the day while they were begging to keep themselves from the rocks on the ground. For a blind person to throw that aside was dangerous. They might not ever find it again unless someone else helped them. He was in such a hurry to get to Jesus he cast aside one of his most precious possessions and went to Him.
When he got to Jesus, Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?”” when we read this, we think the answer is obvious. The man is blind, he is forced to beg for his daily food. Surely, anyone can see he wants to be given his sight. He wants to be back in the society from which he has been excluded because of his blindness. Jesus, however, wants Bartimaeus to claim what he wants. One of the things they teach in counseling classes is not to finish a person’s sentence for them. A person is trying to say something and struggling to find the right word and the temptation is to say the word you think they are struggling for. You are cautioned not to do this because the word you think of might not be the word they want but when they hear you say something they will tend to accept that word as their answer. Jesus wants Bartimaeus to give his answer to the question not to accept the answer of someone else, not even Jesus.
“My teacher, let me see again”. We have to stop a second, Bartimaeus and Jesus have not met before, Bartimaeus has never heard Jesus preach before today and yet he calls him, my teacher. Clearly the things Bartimaeus has heard have impressed him to the point he was willing to cry out in the midst of a large crowd. To call someone your teacher implies a relationship of some sort. Bartimaeus was willing cry out with all his heart because somehow, he had the idea or the hope Jesus would do something about his situation. At first, all he could do is say, “son of David, have mercy on me” but now, when Jesus asks him directly, he is able to state what he wants, “let me see again”
“Go, your faith has made you well” Jesus says. notice Jesus did not touch him the way he has touched others when they were healed. He did not make clay and rub it on his eyes the way he did when he healed another blind person. All he did was tell Bartimaeus to go, go back to his family, his home, his occupation, his friends. All the things that were part of his life before his blindness were now available to him. Now, he was cured. Jesus had heard him cry out above the crowd even though they had tried to silence him. He had heard what lay behind the word “teacher” and had seen him leave his cloak behind in order to get to Jesus. All these things added up to a person who was ready to take a chance to be healed and so Jesus was willing to send him on his way home.
The finish was, indeed, a happy ending. “Immediately, he gained his sight and followed him on the way” mark says. now, Jesus had just told him he could go. He had been healed. He had what he had asked for. Jesus did not ask anything of him. He was free to do whatever he chose. There was nothing keeping him with Jesus now that he was healed.
Instead, he followed Jesus. If you had asked him a few days before what he would do if the blindness ever left him, he probably would have talked about going to his family, his town, his friends. He would have spoken about how good it would be to see all those things again. Perhaps now, he would appreciate them in a different way having been blind for a while. Now, he had met the teacher. He had felt power enter him and he had his sight back. Now, all he could think about was seeing more. Hearing this teacher for himself rather than relying on the reports of others about what the teacher was saying and doing and learning what it would mean for him to be a follower of this teacher.
We’ve heard and read this story many times. We knew, from the beginning, how it was going to end. What do we need to hear from this story? what is there we can hang onto? What can we share about the story that will help us, and others around us from day to day? The crowd tells Bartimaeus to hold on, what can we hold on to in this story?
First, Bartimaeus was identified by name. that is not usually the case for blind beggars of that time. Generally, they were nameless. People who were not usually even seen in society let along given any consideration as a person, a person with family and a life of their own. Sometimes, we consider ourselves to be nameless when we think about God. There are billions of people on the earth, so why should God have any interest in me or my situation in life. There are many people more important, more influential, more worthwhile than me. There is noting special about me that would give God any reason to notice me or give me any consideration. In Isaiah 49:1 we read, “the lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb, he named me” the concept of God knowing each of us before we were born was long a concept within the Jewish faith which the Christian faith has adopted into its own thinking. The idea that along with creating the heavens and the earth God has created each of us and that each of us has a special place within God’s plan. This concept stands with us to help us understand we are not nameless before God but that each of us is loved and special to God.
Bartimaeus was heard and called by Jesus. The social status of a beggar was nothing to command anyone’s attention and yet, Jesus heard him. Not only heard him but called him forward. When we pray, sometimes it seems all the noise in our lives can drowned out even our own cries. Surely, we sometimes say, God can’t hear me over all the other noise around me. There are people who are facing hunger, wars, floods, much more crucial things than me. Why would God hear me when there are all these other cries? Yet, we are urged again and again in the scriptures to bring our concerns to God. We are assured he will not only hear, but he will call each of us forward to come before him with the things that are on our hearts and minds. We are assured he will hear and respond.
Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants him to do for him. In the same way, God wants us to name what we want from him. Yes, God knows all things, yes, God knows what lies ahead for us but still we are to ask with the confidence of a child asking a loving parent for something. The child knows that even though the answer may not be the one they expect or want, still the loving parent will not give them something that is bad for them. We do not ask because God does not know what we want or need, we ask because sometimes, when I put something into words it sounds very different than when I am just thinking about it. Sometimes, when I put my prayer into words, I realize I am being silly or selfish and need to reconsider what I am praying for. Saying directly what I want from God makes me think seriously about what I am asking for from God.
Jesus granted the prayer because of the faith Bartimaeus displayed. We are urged to pray urgently and with faith but we have all seen very faithful people pray diligently and not get the answers they had hoped for. It is easy to lose faith because of that. Every parent knows you cannot always give a child everything they ask for. You love them, you want them to be happy, you want them to love you but the thing they are asking for is not possible for many reasons. In the same way, God does not always give us what we ask for even though we ask with all the faith at our command. Sometimes, we have to understand God sees and knows things we do not know. The best proof of this is, when Jesus was in the garden before all the events of the crucifixion began, he prayed, “father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want, but what you want” it is clear Jesus did not want to go to the cross and die the horrible death before him. He prayed it might be removed from him and yet, he was willing to put himself in God’s hands. All our prayers need to keep in mind God has a plan which works for the best of all concerned. it is difficult to see sometimes but nevertheless true.
We need to always remember to defer our prayers to God’s will.
           Last, when it was all over, Jesus told Bartimaeus he could go. What he had asked for had been given. There was nothing left unfinished. He was free to do as he wished. Instead, Bartimaeus followed him. He does not show up in the list of disciples, indeed, we never hear or see his name again. Yet, Mark records he followed Jesus. When we become disciples, we do not lose our will. We are always free to leave. God has created us with a mind to make choices and we are always free to do as we wish. The call for each of us is to continue to follow. Sometimes we do it with open eyes and sometimes we do it because we have been doing it for a while and it seems like the thing to do. Each of us has a choice to make every day. We are free to go, God will not stop us if we choose to leave. Yet, as we continue to choose to follow we gain in our understanding and strength to continue to follow.
Like Bartimaeus we are charged to “take heart, get up, he is calling you.” God has called each of us just as surely as Jesus called Bartimaeus that day. We are called to follow as best we can. Like Bartimaeus our names may not be recorded in any great acts of courage or dedication but as we follow we attend the meetings, teach the Sunday school classes, serve on the committees and, in general do the things that keep the church moving in the direction God has called us to go. Each of us serve in our own ways and by doing the things God has given us to do we are answering the call God has given us.
 
 
 
 
*Hymn                Called as Partners in Christ’s Service                                No.343
 
 
                                      
 *AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
​MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
Sending
*HYMN                           Lord Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing      No 538
                                   
 * CHARGE & BLESSING
Go out in the world in peace, have courage, hold onto what is good, return no one evil for evil, strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, honor the suffering, honor all people. Love and serve the lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. May the love and amazing grace of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with us and upon us now and all the days of our lives, Amen
 
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
October 24, 2021
GatheringMUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez,  Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke, Jane , , Amy Jacobs, Bonnie Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx had a knee replacement and Tom Kelly who is recovering from surgery. Lois Seger is moving to Council Bluffs, IA to be near her daughter and will be living  in an assisted living -we send her with love, the Steven’s Family, Reed Family, Patti Thomas’s Family, Lassen Family Death Uwe’s son Robert, Family of Elise King, and Lucy Melvin hip surgery October 25
 
PRELUDE
 
Call to worship Unison (based on Psalm 46:1-3 )
 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult
 
GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
Lord God, as we come to worship and praise You, help us to put aside all the distractions of our lives. The worries of our lives, the frustrations of each day, the angry words we have heard or spoken. All these distract us from You and we want to focus on You. Give us Your peace. Amen
 
 
*HYMN              All  people that on earth do Dwell                                                                     No. 220             
 
Prayer of Confession (UNISON)
 We come before You, O God, not because we are worthy, but because You have called us to come to You. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves, we have not turned the other cheek when someone assaults us with blows or words. We have not forgiven seven times seventy. We have failed You again and again.
 
We pray You to see into our hearts and know we want to follow You. Forgive and restore us that we may be Your servants in all we say and do. Amen
         
 
Assurance of Pardon
The mercy of the Lord endures forever. As far as the East is from the West, so far has God removed our sins from us.
 (Unison) Because of this we can say we are forgiven people, thanks be to God, amen.
   
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY   
 
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God, what we give is not ours. We give because You have given so freely and fully. We give not only these gifts, but we give ourselves to be used by You to do Your work. Amen
 
INTERLUDE
Word
 
Prayer for Illumination
Lord God, open our ears and our hearts that we may truly hear You. Amen
 
 
 
 
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Mark 8:27-33
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
 
SERMON         “you are setting your minds not on divine things ”
 
Mark 8:27-33 “you are setting your minds not on divine things”
The eighth chapter of Mark is a dividing point in the gospel. Up to now no one, including Jesus, has mentioned the word Christ or Messiah. From here on, we will hear it many times. Up to now, no one has talked about what lies ahead for Jesus. From here on, everything points to the cross and the suffering Jesus will endure. From this point on, Jesus is more and more intent abut telling his disciples, and us, what it means for Him to be called Messiah and what it means when we declare ourselves His disciples. He makes it clear his is not an easy path nor is it easy to be His follower.
Mark tells us Jesus was in Casoria Philippi when this incident took place. For us, this is merely a name. for the people of the time, there was some meaning. A temple had recently been built there for the worship of Cesare, who had declared himself to be worshiped as a God. In the past, the area had many temples dedicated to the worship of various Baals of the past. There were many places where worship could be given. It was in the midst of all this Jesus asked the disciples, “who do people say I am?”
That question was easy. All they had to do was echo the word on the street and there was no shortage of opinions out there. clearly word about the things Jesus was saying and doing was circulating among the people and there was no shortage of opinions about what these things meant.
“Some say John the Baptist, others, Elijah, and still others say you are one of the Prophets” from these answers we can see there was no one who did not agree Jesus was more than the average person proclaiming what they said was a word from God. Clearly, this Jesus was something out of the ordinary. John the Baptist was one most of the people had known because he was a contemporary of Jesus. John had, in fact, baptized Jesus. John had also rallied against Herod because Herod had taken his brothers wife. Because of this, Herod had John killed. The opinion that this voice had returned was a challenge to Herod. Elijah on the other hand was a voice from the past. Elijah was regarded as the last of the great prophets of the past. He had witnessed about the fall of Israel and its subjugation among other nations. The other prophets the disciples mentioned were an assortment of voices that had been judged to be witnesses to what God was doing or was about to do. The opinion of the masses, then, was this Jesus was part of succession of voices which had, in one way or another, been
witnesses to God’s work among the people.
From there, Jesus begins to get more personal with the disciples. “But who do YOU say I am?” they had been following him for some time, they had seen the miracles he had performed. they had seen him challenge the scribes and Pharisees; they had seen him come away unscathed by the attempts to trap him into saying something they could use as a charge against him. They had a up close and personal view of Jesus and had some time to talk among themselves as they saw these things unfold. What was their take on the things they had heard and seen? What did they think it all meant?
It's hard to imagine there was not a very pronounced silence following this question. It may have they were trying to decide what the “right” answer was. It may have been no one wanted to be the first to answer for fear of their answer being inadequate. As is true today, students are often reluctant to answer questions put by their teachers. The custom of that time was even more limited as students were  usually not allowed to speak to their teachers and so the question was unexpected and it took some time to consider how they could answer.
Finally, old bull in the china shop Peter replied, “You are the Messiah” when we read this we tend to cheer for Peter. He has finally said what all of us have known since we began reading the Bible. Jesus IS the messiah, from now on surely things will be headed in the right direction. Surely, we think, Jesus will pat him on the head and say, “what a good boy you are” that’s what we tend to think as we read this, what we get is something quite different.
Instead, what we get is Jesus telling the disciples NOT to repeat what Peter just said. Our first reaction to that is to say WHAT? Surely what Peter said is true. Surely the point of being a disciple is to tell others who and what Jesus really is. Why does Jesus tell them not to repeat the most important thing we can say about Jesus? To say the least Jesus response is one most of us  have wondered about. It is the last thing we expect when someone had identified Jesus as the Messiah.
To give my answer to the question I have to step aside from the story and share a personal story. it was during the quarter final exam in a college trig class my sophomore year in college. While I don’t remember the exact question, I remember
clearly what I did. I looked up the wrong function of an angle, then multiplied by the numerator rather than the denominator and, somehow, got the right answer. Because the professor asked us to show our work, he marked it wrong, but he did include a note saying, sometimes two wrongs do make a right. That is the reason I believe Jesus told the disciples and Peter not to repeat what just had been said: they had the right answer, but the work that got Peter to that answer was wrong.
We have to remember out understanding of the Messiah is very different than the common thinking of the Jewish people of that time. Their thinking was the messiah was going to restore the glory days of Israel. Their image was the days of King David when Israel was a force to be contended with, not a captured nation. The messiah was going to restore the peace, financial welfare and esteem of the country. The messiah was going to make Jerusalem great again. This messiah was gong to be the one who would correct all the things that were wrong and give Israel back a time of peace and prosperity, unfortunately, this was NOT the type of Messiah Jesus was going to be and so he instructed them to be silent until he could explain what type of Messiah he was going to be.
Then Jesus laid out for them what His version of the Messiah was to be: “Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed. And after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly” this was a shocking thing to hear. All their lives they had heard this one definition of the messiah and the hope that held for Israel. Now the one Peter had just called the Messiah was giving them a picture that was totally the opposite.
It should not surprise us Peter began to rebuke Jesus. After all, the messiah was going to restore the glory of Israel. The messiah was going to give us the good old days when we can bask in the glory of our nation rather than existing as a captured nation under Rome. Everyone knows the messiah is going to give us great things, how could a messiah that was going to suffer and die accomplish anything? A messiah that was going to be rejected by all the ruling authorities could hardly be the one they were waiting for. The statements Jesus was making could hardly be true of the Messiah we have been told was going to come.
 Jesus, in rebuking Peter, laid out what the difference was: “You are setting your minds not on the divine things but on the human things.” Jesus was telling Peter he was listening to the voices of the world and not really listening to what Jesus had bee saying. Yes, peter gave the right answer to Jesus’s question, but the way he got to the answer was all wrong. You need to step back and truly hear what I have been saying in all I have done. you need to understand the price you will pay if you understand what the Messiah truly is.
What, then, does it mean to focus on Human things rather than divine? How can we separate these things? Clearly, Peter did not understand it at this point or Jesus would not have rebuked him. What are the things Jesus lays out which we need to keep in front of us?
Jesus commands, he does not suggest, he does not recommend, he commands we pray for those who seek to do us harm. Because I often focus on human things, I have a lot of trouble praying for the leaders of Al-quida, I have trouble praying for the leaders of the Taliban, I have trouble praying for those who spread false information about vaccinations. They do so much damage, they lead others down a wrong path. I struggle continually to set my mind on the divine thing Jesus commands.
I want to have revenge, or at least see people who do things I believe harm me to have some sort of come-uppance. Jesus demands, he does not suggest, does not recommend, does not say it would be a good idea, he demands I forgive them in the same way I want to be forgiven by God for doing the things I do that offend God. That is focusing on divine, not human things.
I want to be popular, or at least liked by those around me, particularly by people who have positions of power. Jesus is saying he will be criticized because he is always seen with “the wrong people”: he was seen with gentiles. With lepers, he freely associated with women, with all the people who were usually dis-regarded by the rich and powerful. He was not only with them, he touched them, he had dinner in their homes. Surely, were things every good Jew was taught to avoid at all costs. After all, contact with them made a person unclean. That is looking at things from a human point of view not divine.
We hear the words when Jesus says take up our cross and follow him but our reaction is to say something along the lines of, “Surely, we are not called to suffer but to be secure and comfortable” these things are just too difficult, Jesus MUST have meant something different. As we do this, we echo what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:18-19: “for the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” it is the difference between the human and the divine answer to Jesus’ question: who do you say I am?
When Jesus went to those who were outside the usual definition of acceptable, he was showing the difference between the divine and the human. We tend to go to those who deserve to be helped. Jesus went to those who tend to be ignored. He was showing God’s mercy being extended to all. Even those who are unacceptable from the human viewpoint.
His disciples often did not understand what he was doing. How many times do we read about them discussing the things Jesus had just said or done and they did not get what was happening? Our temptation is to get away from people who do not understand or appreciate what we are doing. That is the human point of view. Jesus continued to teach them, to urge them along the direction he wanted them to go. We begin to understand that even though I do not always understand or appreciate the things he is saying, he will not desert me. Because he did not separate himself from them even though they did not get his message, he will not separate himself from us, even though we do not always get the message. Even at the cross, one of the last things he said was, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”. Those words serve to remind me that there is nothing I can do that will separate me from God’s love.
We have felt the power of forgiveness when someone we have harmed forgives us. we know the burden that is lifted from us. we feel the release when we forgive someone who has done something to us. there is a weight lifted from our lives that is very real. We feel the power of the divine point of view.
We come to worship because we understand we do not have the ability to see things from a divine point of view. It is much easier to see things from a human point of view. After all, that is what is around us all the time. It is easier to remain within the bounds of the way things are going rather than rocking the boat. Doing things in that way, however, does not bring us the inner peace we like to tell ourselves it does. There is something that does not sit well within us when we see things from the human point of view. We understand we need to do something different.
When we start a new exercise program, it always feels difficult. We are stretching muscles we did not know we had. In general, it feels like a lot of work. The easy thing to do is give up and go back to what we were doing before. Because of what the doctor tells us, however, we stick with the program and it becomes our routine. We find ourselves finding the benefits of the program rather than the difficulties. We find ourselves doing the exercises we despised because we can tell the difference it makes.
When we try to see things from the divine point of view, all we can see are the impossibilities, the difficulties, the strangeness of what we are doing. When we come here and ask God for the ability to see things from the divine point of view, we find our eyesight beginning to change and we see the things Jesus calls us to do every day,
 
*Hymn                Called as partners in Christ’s service”                         No.343
 
                                      
 AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
​
 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
Sending
*HYMN                          Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing                                No 538                            
                                   
  CHARGE & BLESSING
Go out into the world with love, render to no one evil for evil. May the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever more. Amen
 
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.