​ 
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 30, 2021
 
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.
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 in Calvin Hall
Dr Dyke is starting a Bible study on Wednesday June 2nd at 3pm sign-up  sheet outside Pastor Study
 
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
Memorial Day May 31st  Office Closed
June 2nd  Bible Study at 3pm
June 6th Installation of Elders and Deacons
June 13th Session Meeting
June 17th Pulse Articles due
June 20th Father’s Day
 
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
                         Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett, Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger, Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke, Clayton Mallory, Jane with upcoming knee surgery, Deb Weller death of father in-law and upcoming surgery, and people of India.
 
WORDS OF WORSHIP
     Leader:  We praise you, O God for enabling us to freely worship You.
     Response: We thank you for blessing us with heroes in our wars and lives.
     L: As we gather, let us solemnly honor the memory of those who died.
     R And let us continue to honor those who currently serve.
     L: We are grateful for Your supreme sacrifice for Your Church
     R. May we continue to serve, to praise, and to love You. Amen.
 
GATHERING PRAYER
      Lord and Master, we have many thoughts on our mind because it is Memorial Day. Some are less serious, as we look forward to family gatherings and warmer weather. These are good gifts of Yours. Other ideas center on the sacrifice of our wartime heroes and contemporary civilian heroes of the pandemic. They, too, are good to ponder. The best reason for our worship is to praise God for His glorious victory over sin and death that leads us to new life in Christ. Amen.
 
HYMN                                  God of Grace and God of Glory                        No. 420                      
 
CONFESSION AND PARDON.
     O most merciful God, Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we claim Your promise to pardon all sinners who truly repent of their sin and turn to You.  We have not loved You with a pure heart, nor loved our neighbor as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, o Lord, according to Your loving-kindness. Blot out our iniquity and renew a right spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of our salvation.
Amen.
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
        Almighty God, who freely pardons all who repent and turn to You, please fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace. Forgive our sins and cleanse us from a sinful existence. We pray through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
 
RECOGNITION OF VETERANS
 
TABLE OF HONOR LAMP LIGHTING
 
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
    
OFFERTORY PRAYER
 
 
INTERLUDE
    
 
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
      Jesus, it is time to bring our full attention to the Holy Bible and the messages it brings us for today. Help our attention and our devotion to your Word as it seeks to direct our lives in the week to come. Amen.
 
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
     Psalm 68: 1-6
1May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.  2 May you blow them away like smoke—as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds[b];  rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, [c]he leads out the prisoners with singing but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
 
    John 15: 9-14
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
 
Hebrews 9: 23-28
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him
 
 
 
SERMON                                          
     Hello. This is the Facebook broadcast from the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Illinois for May 30th. Today we will pay special honor to those who gave their lives in the service of our nation, and to veterans who are among us who have given some of their lives and much of their effort to protect us all. Blessed Memorial Day!
 
     I am the Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister for this congregation. I have served for two and one half months now, and am getting to know the people and the strengths of this parish. I have served as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, (USA) for the past 48 years. This is my 11th congregation served in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and now Iowa.
 
      This Sunday is special because it precedes Memorial Day tomorrow. There are several reasons to look forward to this holiday. It is seen as the classic opening of the summer season and all its warmth and activity. In this year of the pandemic this has even more significance than usual as people can’t wait to get out and about! It is good to hear that nearly half of our country’s people have had at least one dose of the vaccine that will enable us to gather, to celebrate, and to participate together.
 
     Another reason we look forward to Memorial Day are the gatherings of family and friends that happen over this three-day weekend. We all have missed the close, loving contact that such opportunities offer us. This is particularly true for families who have had loved ones in nursing homes and retirement communities where they could not be visited for up to a year!
 
     Communities, also, have surrendered their traditional parades and celebrations that our veteran’s organizations usually offer at this time. Many of us have gone to our graveyards and honored the dead, as well as hearing inspiring speeches that renew our pride in the land of our birth. This year, I hope you will TAKE the time to attend these ceremonies. They will strengthen your hearts!
 
     Speaking of those cemeteries, we are reminded that even those stones have voices. Many of those from Clinton and the surrounding area who have served in wars from the civil war to the present Middle East hostilities are memorialized in the headstones that surround the flag of the land they defended. Many more of these headstones represents peacetime soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, guardsmen, coast guard, and reserves. I have helped to inter many of these heros over the years, and the sound of taps and the volley of rifle fire still gives me chills. All were willing to serve and sacrifice for the freedom that you and I possess.
 
      I looked it up and it is hard to fathom that OVER 400,000 have given the supreme sacrifice in defense of their country. It is important that churches like ours throughout the land lift up our voices in praise and song to their memory. God bless all of these true heroes of our American homeland!
 
      In the current world, these valiant heroes remind me of other ones. We quite properly call police, firemen, doctors, nurses, truck drivers, essential store and business owners by the same title! I am grateful to see that there are new recognitions and honors being given to these people—especially to those who have given THEIR lives in the fight. Do you realize that the pandemic HAS KILLED AS MANY AMERICANS AS ALL OF THE WARS WE HAVE FOUGHT?
 
      We watched as what happened in World War II –Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor as we were unprepared—has happened again as we have been caught unprepared for the devastation of the COVID-19 virus. The main thing to give glory to God about is to remember how swiftly and strongly we recovered and unified as a country after the conflict began.
 
     Benjamin Franklin said that “the way to be safe is to never become secure. We must never become complacent and assume that we deserve our freedoms and prosperity.” In the years following the 911 attacks, I have witnessed a great renewal of patriotism among the people of the United States. We need to maintain and even increase this loyalty.
 
     Let me bring some of the Biblical witness to the need to be “ON GUARD” as Christians. Psalm 68: 1-6 declares that Almighty God will scatter the enemies of His faithful people. We are to be joyful in God’s protection and praise Him for His protection. God will take care of the needy, the orphans, and widows---the weakest members of our society—but punishes the rebellious.
 
      Another Old Testament reference is I Chronicles 16: 30-36. It declares that God will save us and rescues us from among the nations. Go back a little earlier in time, and II Chronicles 7: 14 says “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves , pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
 
     In the New Testament, I take you to I Peter 5: 10. “ After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” He speaks of the need to “Discipline yourselves and keep alert” as needs to be fully “ON GUARD” We have much to thank God for all those who have sacrificed from the revolutionary war to the current strife. They have passed on the task of being ON GUARD to us.
 
     If we are to carry the guardianship of our land, how can we accomplish this? Let us follow their example:
 
1.They were drafted to the defense of their nation or else volunteered for such service. We have many people who enlisted in occupations or departments such as hospitals, rescue, home health, mental health, police, fire, etc.
 
2.They went through training—basic training is known as grueling- yet countless inductees have not only survived it, but have been strengthened by it.  They learned new skills, strengthened their bodies, and kindled their spirit.
 
3.They were given superiors ---officers or supervisors ---who were experienced  leaders to help direct their service into a successfully coordinated attack on the enemy—stated or silent.
 
4.If you listen to many of today’s heroes, many express their need for prayer to face the danger. An old saying if that “There are no atheists in foxholes”. God has suddenly become ok for the heroes to mention even on prime-time shows.
 
5.When the “on guard” defenders were successful, they never fail to give God the praise and glory for the victory.
 
Let us apply these basics of military life to our own efforts:
 
A.We, as Christians, ARE a volunteer army. We all confessed our sins and were baptized and confirmed into saying Jesus is our Lord. He is our “commander-in-chief” whose Word (the Bible) is our training manual. We are encouraged to MEMORIZE our instructions!—Not a bad idea for us, either!
 
B.We are constantly going through training. Our pastors and teachers may not be as grueling as basic, but their lessons through Sunday School, Bible Study and  sermons can thoroughly train us to face up to our increasingly secular country with Jesus’ truth.
 
C.Yes, we have leaders –we must be careful in choosing who are Godly influences—media pastors, evangelists, local bishops, and executives. They give guidance to focus our efforts.
 
D.We must always be on our guard in prayer at all times to serve our Commander capably and victoriously. Prayer for the battle to lead our world to salvation.
 
E.Lastly, I am sure that God will give us the victory that will lead us back into His service. Keep your faith ON GUARD, and we will be blessed! Amen.
 
   
 
HYMN                          Eternal Father, Strong To Save                                   No. 562                            
                     
AFFIRMATION   Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
 
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
 
                                                                Sending
HYMN                           My Country ’Tis of Thee                                            No. 561                                            
.
CHARGE & BLESSING
       And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God, the Father; through Jesus Christ, the Son; and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide with us this day and forevermore. Amen.

​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 16, 2021
 
​
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 16th, 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.
Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
Please keep your masks on.
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 in Calvin Hall
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
Session May 16th
Pentecost  May 23rd please wear red
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
                     Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett, Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger, Jo Lefleur and Dr Dyke
 
PRELUDE
 
WORDS OF WORSHIP
      LEADER: I will give thanks to You, o Lord, among the peoples.
      Response: And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
     L: For Your steadfast love is higher than the heavens.
     R: And Your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
     L: Be exalted, o God, above the heavens
     R: and let Your glory be over all the earth.
 
GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
We come from our various and different worlds, to gather together in this beautiful building because we are joined by our love for Jesus Christ, the Savior. The difficulties, trials, and pains of this world have made us weary, Master. We need the refreshment we have found in bringing our spirits to join with Yours. We pray that you would lift us into the light and peace of Your presence. Amen.
 
*Hymn                          “The Church’s One Foundation                                      No. 442
 
 
                                             
CONFESSION AND PARDON   (Unison)   
       The seeds of grace, hope, joy, and love are planted deep within us. It is our prayer that they can bear fruit in our lives. We confess to resisting staying connected to our Savior, the Vine, thinking we can flourish on our own. We admit that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Please forgive us, so that we can once again feel God abiding deeply within us. Amen.
 
Assurance of Pardon
             Because God abides in us, we can live for others, allowing God’s love to bear fruit in us. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory, in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
*ANTHEM: We will attempt to present recorded music as an anthem today
 
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
    
OFFERTORY PRAYER
       O Father in heaven, you have told us that we will reap what we sow. This is true not only for our character, but in our conduct. We trust You today with our tithes and offerings, knowing that You are trustworthy to use them in your kingdom and continue in Your provision for us. Amen.
 
INTERLUDE
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
            Search us, o God, and know our hearts: try us, and know our thoughts. Prepare our minds to understand what message you have for us today. See if there be any wicked way in us and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Jeremiah 23: 1-6
 
Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering sheep of my pasture! “declares the LORD .this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil have done,” declares the LORD.“I myself will gather the remnant my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, they will be fruitful and increase in number.
will place shepherds them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.
 
5“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David[a]righteous Branch, a King will reign do what is just and right in the land.
6his days Judah will be saved Israel will live in safety. This is the name which he will be called: The LORD Righteous Savior.
 
     Romans 11: 13-25
 
13I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, take pride in my ministry14in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy save of them.15For if their rejection brought reconciliation the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?16If the part of the dough offered as first fruits holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.17If some of the branches have been broken off, you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,18do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”20Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Not be arrogant,tremble.21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either22Consider therefore the kindness sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.23And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.24After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!25I do not want you to be ignorant this mystery, and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: has experienced a hardening part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
 
     John 15:1-10
 
15“I am true vine, my Father is the gardener .cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, every branch that does bear fruit prunes[a]that it will be even more fruitful. Are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.in me, as I also remain in you. Branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; from me you can do nothing. You do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. You remain in me my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.is to my Father’s glory, you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.9“As the Father has loved me, have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10If you keep my commands, will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
   
SERMON                                          Branching Out                           
 
*Hymn                I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord                  No. 441
 
     It is another joyful Sunday morning to be with our friends and family of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa. I am the Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister of this congregation. I have served the
Presbyterian Church (USA) for 48 years as a pastor in Pennsylvania and Illinois before coming to Iowa.
 
     I have now completed two months of service to this parish. We have done many things in that short amount of time. We are finally recovering from the limitations imposed upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic and actually worshipping Almighty God in our wonderful building once again!
 
     I guess you could say that I am a new thing we have done. I had just brought a 17-month Interim Ministry at Milan, Illinois to a close when your Clerk of Session contacted me to ask if I might be available to come here. I heard the clear voice of God in that “coincidence.” So---now you have a pastor—at least for half-time—to lead us and care for us. I try very hard to speak with each one of you every week and to know your names—something I consider very important.
 
     I have led many churches of different sizes –from 15 to one that was over 500 people. A four-church larger parish was my first field in Pennsylvania, making a total of 10 congregations led under my care. I also served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon in Pennsylvania for ten years with responsibility for 58 congregations. I am able to lead renewal in a church IF I have the support and agreement of the Session. I have been very pleased with their desire to bring ever greater life to our faith family.
 
     We have restored a Fellowship life following worship each week. It is growing in attendance as we go! I thank the volunteers who make this an important addition to our parish life. It feels good to see Calvin Hall come alive in this pleasant and supportive way.
 
     Other blessings include your strong leaders. Your Ruling Elders and compassionate Deacons care for your ongoing and growing needs. We are blessed with amazing facilities --- and endowed with sufficient funds to maintain them while we seek to incorporate more people to fill them! There seems to be (to me) a new spirit of hope for our future that I seek to strengthen and support as we recover our strength and grow.
 
     I want to use today’s sermon to explain that optimism about our future. Let me start by saying that I fully believe that God has important work for the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa to do!
 
     I took you first to the prophet Jeremiah. Now, I know that his is a VERY long book of prophesy. It wouldn’t surprise me if you are not as familiar with it as you are with other parts of the Holy Bible. Let me help you, then. In Jeremiah’s day, Israel had a string of kings who led them ever further away from worshipping and serving the ONE TRUE GOD. The latest of these was named Coniah. He continued the worship of idols and their persecution of the people of God.
 
     God had sent other prophets to warn Israel to repent of their sins and return to Him. Isaiah was primary among those with these warnings. None of them were listened to or heeded. Finally, God speaks to Jeremiah and tells him that the Almighty has HAD IT with this disobedience. God decided to punish Israel by having their enemy Babylon destroy Jerusalem –and the rest of the Hebrew nation by tearing it literally stone from stone. He would destroy their faithless nation.
 
     God had protected Israel from enemies for centuries – Egypt, Edam, Aram, Assyria, Babylon, Syria and others; but that protection was being withdrawn as a result of their sinfulness. Because of this message, Jeremiah is seen as a prophet of doom and gloom in his descriptions of the impending disasters. He foresaw that the survivors would be taken as slaves and hostages back to Babylon and none of God’s people would remain in Israel.
 
     But I took you to the passage where God declares that He will scatter the “shepherds” (or kings) of the flock of Israel AS THEY DESERVE. Yet, hear that Almighty God says, “Then I will gather the remnant of my flock ----and bring them back to their fold! They shall be fruitful and multiply.”
 
      Do you see? It is God’s will to restore his chosen people even after they and their nation are totally destroyed! God has RESTORATION of His people at heart. I see this being true for us, as well, folks. God will restore this church after all of our difficult days because THAT IS WHO GOD IS---AND WHAT GOD DOES!!
 
     Now, I have no idea who the people who will restore our church will be. They may be just like us—or they may be very different, but they will be called by God to be here! I took you to my favorite book, Romans, and the apostle Paul. The greatest divide in Bible times for Hebrews was the one between
 
Jews and Gentiles. Frankly, Jews HATED Gentiles. I have a story to show you that this hatred continues to this very day. On my tour of Israel with the group of pastor’s families 10 years ago, we were coming to the end of our days there. We were in Jerusalem at lunch time and our guide Isaac (who was a formerly Jewish Christian) told us we could scatter about and find our lunches. We were to reassemble at the fountain at 1 pm.
 
     I wanted a personal souvenir of my trip—a Bible from the Holy Land, and so I walked about a block to a shop that had a sign offering Bibles for sale. Great!  I entered the shop and the gentleman behind the counter was very helpful and I found just the book I wanted. I returned to the fountain feeling wonderful.  UNTIL!
 
     Isaac was there with some of the others, and he frowned when he saw the book in my hand. He asked where I got it, and I pointed back to where the store was. I was shocked and dismayed, because this converted Christian guide SPAT ON THE GROUND and cursed “Palestinian!!” That is how deeply the hatred between Jew and Gentile exists even today.
 
     Yet God CALLED Paul to preach Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and Savior of the ENTIRE world TO THESE HATED GENTILES! And it is a good thing He did!
 
     In AD 71, Rome came into Israel after it had an insurrection resisting Roman rule and totally destroyed it and slew many of its leaders. They deported these people once again and ISRAEL WAS NO MORE UNTIL 1948!! If Paul and others had not welcomed and invited Gentiles into the church, IT WOULD HAVE DIED. But again, God wanted the church to not only survive, but to thrive. Again, to any and all who will hear God’s love for them in this place. WE WELCOME YOU TO OUT FAITH FAMILY.
 
     Lastly, I took you to the wonderful image of Jesus being the VINE and believers being the branches. I have another image side-by-side with this one. A charcoal fire with briquets all heated and turning white from the fire. But take one briquet away from the rest of them for a while and watch it fade –and die. We have our spiritual life because we are in constant touch with Jesus Christ, our Lord. We gain our strength and hope from His grace and love.
 
     It is our task to extend our hands of faith to others that they may be joined to the VINE-Jesus-through their contact with the BRANCHES (us) We are to “branch out” and cause our church to grow and be restored in the days to come. May you reach out to anyone you know who needs the love of God we can provide here at First United Presbyterian. Amen.
 
 
                           
*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                                  Blest Be the Tie That Binds                           No. 438
                                           
  CHARGE & BLESSING
And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide within us, now and forever more.
                              
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.

​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 16, 2021
 
​
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 16th, 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.
Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
Please keep your masks on.
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 in Calvin Hall
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
Session May 16th
Pentecost  May 23rd please wear red
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
                     Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett, Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger, Jo Lefleur and Dr Dyke
 
PRELUDE
 
WORDS OF WORSHIP
      LEADER: I will give thanks to You, o Lord, among the peoples.
      Response: And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
     L: For Your steadfast love is higher than the heavens.
     R: And Your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
     L: Be exalted, o God, above the heavens
     R: and let Your glory be over all the earth.
 
GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
We come from our various and different worlds, to gather together in this beautiful building because we are joined by our love for Jesus Christ, the Savior. The difficulties, trials, and pains of this world have made us weary, Master. We need the refreshment we have found in bringing our spirits to join with Yours. We pray that you would lift us into the light and peace of Your presence. Amen.
 
*Hymn                          “The Church’s One Foundation                                      No. 442
 
 
                                             
CONFESSION AND PARDON   (Unison)   
       The seeds of grace, hope, joy, and love are planted deep within us. It is our prayer that they can bear fruit in our lives. We confess to resisting staying connected to our Savior, the Vine, thinking we can flourish on our own. We admit that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Please forgive us, so that we can once again feel God abiding deeply within us. Amen.
 
Assurance of Pardon
             Because God abides in us, we can live for others, allowing God’s love to bear fruit in us. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory, in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
*ANTHEM: We will attempt to present recorded music as an anthem today
 
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
    
OFFERTORY PRAYER
       O Father in heaven, you have told us that we will reap what we sow. This is true not only for our character, but in our conduct. We trust You today with our tithes and offerings, knowing that You are trustworthy to use them in your kingdom and continue in Your provision for us. Amen.
 
INTERLUDE
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
            Search us, o God, and know our hearts: try us, and know our thoughts. Prepare our minds to understand what message you have for us today. See if there be any wicked way in us and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Jeremiah 23: 1-6
 
Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering sheep of my pasture! “declares the LORD .this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil have done,” declares the LORD.“I myself will gather the remnant my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, they will be fruitful and increase in number.
will place shepherds them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.
 
5“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David[a]righteous Branch, a King will reign do what is just and right in the land.
6his days Judah will be saved Israel will live in safety. This is the name which he will be called: The LORD Righteous Savior.
 
     Romans 11: 13-25
 
13I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, take pride in my ministry14in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy save of them.15For if their rejection brought reconciliation the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?16If the part of the dough offered as first fruits holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.17If some of the branches have been broken off, you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,18do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”20Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Not be arrogant,tremble.21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either22Consider therefore the kindness sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.23And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.24After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!25I do not want you to be ignorant this mystery, and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: has experienced a hardening part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
 
     John 15:1-10
 
15“I am true vine, my Father is the gardener .cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, every branch that does bear fruit prunes[a]that it will be even more fruitful. Are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.in me, as I also remain in you. Branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; from me you can do nothing. You do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. You remain in me my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.is to my Father’s glory, you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.9“As the Father has loved me, have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10If you keep my commands, will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
   
SERMON                                          Branching Out                           
 
*Hymn                I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord                  No. 441
 
     It is another joyful Sunday morning to be with our friends and family of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa. I am the Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister of this congregation. I have served the
Presbyterian Church (USA) for 48 years as a pastor in Pennsylvania and Illinois before coming to Iowa.
 
     I have now completed two months of service to this parish. We have done many things in that short amount of time. We are finally recovering from the limitations imposed upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic and actually worshipping Almighty God in our wonderful building once again!
 
     I guess you could say that I am a new thing we have done. I had just brought a 17-month Interim Ministry at Milan, Illinois to a close when your Clerk of Session contacted me to ask if I might be available to come here. I heard the clear voice of God in that “coincidence.” So---now you have a pastor—at least for half-time—to lead us and care for us. I try very hard to speak with each one of you every week and to know your names—something I consider very important.
 
     I have led many churches of different sizes –from 15 to one that was over 500 people. A four-church larger parish was my first field in Pennsylvania, making a total of 10 congregations led under my care. I also served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon in Pennsylvania for ten years with responsibility for 58 congregations. I am able to lead renewal in a church IF I have the support and agreement of the Session. I have been very pleased with their desire to bring ever greater life to our faith family.
 
     We have restored a Fellowship life following worship each week. It is growing in attendance as we go! I thank the volunteers who make this an important addition to our parish life. It feels good to see Calvin Hall come alive in this pleasant and supportive way.
 
     Other blessings include your strong leaders. Your Ruling Elders and compassionate Deacons care for your ongoing and growing needs. We are blessed with amazing facilities --- and endowed with sufficient funds to maintain them while we seek to incorporate more people to fill them! There seems to be (to me) a new spirit of hope for our future that I seek to strengthen and support as we recover our strength and grow.
 
     I want to use today’s sermon to explain that optimism about our future. Let me start by saying that I fully believe that God has important work for the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa to do!
 
     I took you first to the prophet Jeremiah. Now, I know that his is a VERY long book of prophesy. It wouldn’t surprise me if you are not as familiar with it as you are with other parts of the Holy Bible. Let me help you, then. In Jeremiah’s day, Israel had a string of kings who led them ever further away from worshipping and serving the ONE TRUE GOD. The latest of these was named Coniah. He continued the worship of idols and their persecution of the people of God.
 
     God had sent other prophets to warn Israel to repent of their sins and return to Him. Isaiah was primary among those with these warnings. None of them were listened to or heeded. Finally, God speaks to Jeremiah and tells him that the Almighty has HAD IT with this disobedience. God decided to punish Israel by having their enemy Babylon destroy Jerusalem –and the rest of the Hebrew nation by tearing it literally stone from stone. He would destroy their faithless nation.
 
     God had protected Israel from enemies for centuries – Egypt, Edam, Aram, Assyria, Babylon, Syria and others; but that protection was being withdrawn as a result of their sinfulness. Because of this message, Jeremiah is seen as a prophet of doom and gloom in his descriptions of the impending disasters. He foresaw that the survivors would be taken as slaves and hostages back to Babylon and none of God’s people would remain in Israel.
 
     But I took you to the passage where God declares that He will scatter the “shepherds” (or kings) of the flock of Israel AS THEY DESERVE. Yet, hear that Almighty God says, “Then I will gather the remnant of my flock ----and bring them back to their fold! They shall be fruitful and multiply.”
 
      Do you see? It is God’s will to restore his chosen people even after they and their nation are totally destroyed! God has RESTORATION of His people at heart. I see this being true for us, as well, folks. God will restore this church after all of our difficult days because THAT IS WHO GOD IS---AND WHAT GOD DOES!!
 
     Now, I have no idea who the people who will restore our church will be. They may be just like us—or they may be very different, but they will be called by God to be here! I took you to my favorite book, Romans, and the apostle Paul. The greatest divide in Bible times for Hebrews was the one between
 
Jews and Gentiles. Frankly, Jews HATED Gentiles. I have a story to show you that this hatred continues to this very day. On my tour of Israel with the group of pastor’s families 10 years ago, we were coming to the end of our days there. We were in Jerusalem at lunch time and our guide Isaac (who was a formerly Jewish Christian) told us we could scatter about and find our lunches. We were to reassemble at the fountain at 1 pm.
 
     I wanted a personal souvenir of my trip—a Bible from the Holy Land, and so I walked about a block to a shop that had a sign offering Bibles for sale. Great!  I entered the shop and the gentleman behind the counter was very helpful and I found just the book I wanted. I returned to the fountain feeling wonderful.  UNTIL!
 
     Isaac was there with some of the others, and he frowned when he saw the book in my hand. He asked where I got it, and I pointed back to where the store was. I was shocked and dismayed, because this converted Christian guide SPAT ON THE GROUND and cursed “Palestinian!!” That is how deeply the hatred between Jew and Gentile exists even today.
 
     Yet God CALLED Paul to preach Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and Savior of the ENTIRE world TO THESE HATED GENTILES! And it is a good thing He did!
 
     In AD 71, Rome came into Israel after it had an insurrection resisting Roman rule and totally destroyed it and slew many of its leaders. They deported these people once again and ISRAEL WAS NO MORE UNTIL 1948!! If Paul and others had not welcomed and invited Gentiles into the church, IT WOULD HAVE DIED. But again, God wanted the church to not only survive, but to thrive. Again, to any and all who will hear God’s love for them in this place. WE WELCOME YOU TO OUT FAITH FAMILY.
 
     Lastly, I took you to the wonderful image of Jesus being the VINE and believers being the branches. I have another image side-by-side with this one. A charcoal fire with briquets all heated and turning white from the fire. But take one briquet away from the rest of them for a while and watch it fade –and die. We have our spiritual life because we are in constant touch with Jesus Christ, our Lord. We gain our strength and hope from His grace and love.
 
     It is our task to extend our hands of faith to others that they may be joined to the VINE-Jesus-through their contact with the BRANCHES (us) We are to “branch out” and cause our church to grow and be restored in the days to come. May you reach out to anyone you know who needs the love of God we can provide here at First United Presbyterian. Amen.
 
 
                           
*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                                  Blest Be the Tie That Binds                           No. 438
                                           
  CHARGE & BLESSING
And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide within us, now and forever more.
                              
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
May 9th, 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.
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please keep your masks on.
· 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 in Calvin Hall
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
Mother’s Day May 9th
PEO Meeting May 10th
Session May 16th
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
     Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett,
Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger  and Jo Lefleur
 
PRELUDE
 
WORDS OF WORSHIP
      LEADER: Lord, Abraham could not number the stars.
      Response: But You know them all by name!
      L: How much more You know our frame.
      R: O Lord, You clothe the fields in splendor,
      L: But how much more You have provided for us!
      R: We trust that You will continue to bless us,
      L: Truly You know us by name and care for us.
 
 
GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
            Father and maker of heaven and earth, as we gather in Your glorious presence, make us worthy to stand before You through the sacrifice of Your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Search us and know our hearts: try us and know our thoughts. See if there be any wicked way within us and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.
*Hymn                          “Now Thank We All Our God”                                     No. 555
 
                       
CONFESSION AND PARDON   (Unison)    
      It can be difficult, Master, to open our eyes to what we should have been doing on Your behalf during this past week. For those of us who have no trouble seeing our spiritual failures, please receive our apology and desire for improvement. For those who have the sin of not even recognizing our sin, open the eyes to view ourselves as You see us, and confess. Amen.
 
Assurance of Pardon
      Surely, He has borne our sin and delivered us from condemnation. WE have presented ourselves before His throne and sought them mercy He has promised to those who follow His Will and His Way. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable grace and mercy. Amen. 
 
 
*ANTHEM: We will attempt to present recorded music as an anthem today
 
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
     
OFFERTORY PRAYER
       Lord of heaven and earth, with respect for Your worthiness, we Ask Youto use our offerings this day for the preaching of Your word, for the provision of your witnesses, and for the proclamation of Your works throughout the earth. Amen.
 
INTERLUDE
 
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
      O Lord, open Thou our eyes that we may see wonderous things! May we delve deeply into the wisdom and instruction that only Your holy word can inspire within us. Amen,
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Exodus 2: 1-10
2 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket[a] for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
     I Samuel 1: 1-2
There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
 
I Samuel 1:9-11
 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
 
I Samuel 1: 21-24
21 When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD and he will live there always.”23 “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his[b] word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.24 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull,[c] an ephah[d] of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.
 
 
     Luke 2: 41-49
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a]
       
SERMON                                     Mother’s Three “S’ s”
 
Good morning! Welcome to the Facebook broadcast of the morning worship service on Mother’s Day in the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa. I am Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister here for these past seven weeks. I have served for the past 48 years as a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Pennsylvania and Illinois before coming to Iowa.
 
     Blessed Mother’s Day! Fellas, let me apologize for mostly talking to the ladies today. Just thing- your turn is coming! Father’s Day is in June! It is customary to praise the many virtues of our mothers on this special Sunday. I am no exception. My mom was mentioned in last week’s sermon for her “Life Verse” and how she taught me to honor and follow the Bible’s teachings in my life. Her name was Florence Dykstra.
 
     We lived in an apartment on the South Side of Chicago. She had to connect with three buses each Wy to go to work downtown in the report department of a CPA firm as a collating clerk. As a young man in my early teens, I would go to her office to eat lunch together in a fancy downtown restaurant just after school let out for the summer. I was so impressed when I got to her little office. She had plastered the walls with pictures of ME!
 
     Can you imagine how much that encouraged ME? We didn’t live in the best part of town and there were lots of bad things to do there, but I wanted to live up to her image of what I should become. Now, I am sure that all of you also have your own stories that are favorites about YOUR moms; whether they are still with us, or she is with Jesus above. All of the love, all of the encouragement, all the tenderness, all of the hard work, and all of the patience, each of us could go on.
 
     Today I want to lift up stories about three Biblical mothers. I will emphasize what I call “the 3 S ‘s of motherhood.” These are:
-
   
  SUPPORT
  SERVICE
       SACRIFICE
 
       It seems that nearly ALL mothers demonstrate these qualities at various times in their families’ lives. 
      I chose Moses’ mother -whose name we don’t even know, although we DO know the name of his sister Miriam. I also lift up Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and the Virgin Mary—of course the mother of Jesus.
 
     Here’s a news flash!! Did you know that children can be a bit of a trial?? Did that startle any of you? Probably not. Especially in the ages where children try to exert their own personalities and independence. That is the very time that mothers need to support their children.
 
     I told you about how I discovered how much support my own mother was to me at her work environment. I went into many of the offices at her company over the years -AND I NEVER SAW ANOTHER ONE WHERE PICTURES OF THEIR CHILD WERE DISPLAYED LIKE MINE WERE!! Can you imagine the influence that had as I faced some of the temptations of youth in the city? What support!!
 
       Jesus had just begun his public ministry and healings. Large crowds were gathering and praising him; but that made the authorities (like the Pharisees) to have a more negative opinion of him. Jesus was heading for trouble! Mary takes her other sons (really Jesus’ half-brothers) and sought to bring him back home and to safety to protect him. I know that some folks object to this scene; feeling it was her denying His ministry. I disagree, sensing the matronly desire to protect and support her child.
 
     What heartbreak she must have felt as Jesus uses this moment to teach his disciples and followers about how close He feels to them. He said that those who followed and believed in him WERE AS CLOSE AS HIS BROTHERS AND SISTER AND EVEN HIS MOTHER! The record shows that he did not follow her suggestion, but continued to bless many people and antagonize the leaders even further.
 
      On this Mother’s Day we must remember, though, that her support for Jesus continued right up to the end. She remained at his side at the cross even when his disciples fled from the scene. Even the agony of Calvary could not separate her from her son. Yes, friends, we must thank our mothers for their support, whether appreciated or not!
 
     I want to share that Hannah’s story has deeply personal meaning for me. My first wife, Cheryl, and I also could not have naturally born children. You are, by now, aware that my two kids are adopted, but you have not heard of the emotional pain that Cheryl felt at being childless for seven years before David was brought to us. We tried the various medications and surgical procedures; but no result—no baby!
 
      Hannah is in that state of anguish. She “poured out her heart to the Lord God.”
Eli, the high priest, was outside his quarters and saw her public display of misery and mistook it for drunkenness, She protested that she was a virtuous woman who heart was breaking before the Lord. Eli then pronounced a blessing upon her petition before God.
 
Fascinatingly, the Bible then declares that she was “no longer sad!”  The burden was lifted by brining it to God, but her service to Samuel was just beginning. She had declared to God that if He would answer her cry for a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service. Scripture tells us how she kept her vow. As he grew up, she sent him to God’s Temple in Jerusalem to become the personal assistant of the high priest.
 
      Samuel would become an important follower of the Temple’s worship and portrayal of God Almighty to the Hebrew people. They recognized him as a man blessed by God. He became a prophet and a leader who God would choose to become His voice to the people. But for all that to happen, Hannah HAD TO GIVE HIM UP.  That is a burden that every mother knows—sending their precious child into the world.  Yes, we nee to thank our mothers for their SERVICE.
 
       When I want to highlight the sacrifice of motherhood, I return to the Virgin Mary. Though he left her care and home and his place as his father’s assistant in the carpentry shop, she willingly supported his calling to be the Son of God even more than HER son from the wedding at Cana at the very beginning to the ending at the cross of Calvary. While modern mothers will not have to agonize to that degree; what mother is there who does not willingly sacrifice for her children’s wellbeing?
We need to honor mothers for their gift of SACRIFICE.
 
      Yes, faithful flock, this is the day---but also on each and EVERY day – we need to honor our mothers for your SUPPORT, SERVICE, AND SACRIFICES on your children’s behalf today. God bless you!!
 
*Hymn                                Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling                        NO. 376      
                           
*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,
 
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                                  How Happy Is Each Child of God                   No. 239                                             
 
 
  CHARGE & BLESSING
And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide within us, now and forever more.

POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.