And now a minute of Bach: HERE
In today’s worship we have leadership from Marilyn, Merle, Sheri, Steve and all those worshiping, including: Garnet, Bev, Bob, Betty, Janet, Lisa, Betsy …
Who have I not included in that list of people who is also attending?
MERLE reads Psalm 103:1-13
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits–
103:3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
103:4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
103:5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
103:6 The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
103:9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
103:10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
103:13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
STEVE – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
Let Us Break Bread Together
Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
SHERI reads Romans 14:1-12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables.
Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them.
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.
Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
SHERI – shares a Prayer of Confession
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS (Joseph Scriven)
What a friend we have in Je – sus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations Is there trouble anywhere
We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-la – den; Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our re – fuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in Prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
MARILYN reads – Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’
And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’
Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’
But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’
And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
SONG – I Love to Tell the Story by Kate Hankey and Wm G Fischer
I love to tell the story of unseen things above
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true
It satisfies my longings, as nothing else can do
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy word
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story; for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest
When, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
SHERI LEADS: Any reflections we have based on these scripture readings?
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- COVID-19 concerns abound – Impact around the world;
- Wisdom/Considerations for school personnel – prayers of strength, support & wisdom for administrators, teachers, students, parents, grandparents, child care providers and more!
- Janet – 2 broken bones in back
- Betty – tremendous pain in back; Bob as caregiver