In today’s worship we have leadership from Bill, Laura, Marilyn, Sheri, Steve and Debbie plus all NEC residents worshiping in the Theater Room and by phone including Garnet, Fern, Bev, Lisa, Bob, Betty, Betsy, Steve V., ________, _________
Have I missed anyone in that listing?
On this World Communion Sunday, we’re pleased to welcome Pastor Debbie to our Zoom community (she has a pre-existing 4:30 engagement so we are doing communion so she can still make that appointment.)
WELCOME TO WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY WORSHIP!
We will have elements for the Theater Room participants, but this is a reminder for those at home who want to partake of communion with the community to make sure you have some “elements” ready for communion time! 🙂
MARILYN reads Psalm 19
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
BILL – shares a prayer of praise
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 Matthew 21:33-46
“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.
When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce.
But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.
Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’
So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.
The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them.
They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
DEBBIE does short meditation plus World Communion (for those at home, bring some bread and drink for communion use)
OPTIONAL SONG – PROBABLY WILL SKIP THIS AND MOVE RIGHT TO JOYS & CONCERNS
PRECIOUS LORD Words & Tune:Thomas Dorsey,1938
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is al-most gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
LAURA: Discussion of Joys & Concerns
- Confluence of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality, climate);
- HEALTH CONCERNS:
- Janet – brace effective in stopping excruciating pain in her back;
- Betty & Bob – Betty’s fractured spine;
- Lisa – eye surgery results;
- JOYS:
- Theater Room opportunity for worship for small group of NEC residents along with Steve Vietze
STEVE: Prayer, including Joys & Concerns shared above
- Joys & Concerns shared above
- concluding with The Lord’s Prayer