Perhaps a moment of music as we begin? ORGAN
We’ll spotlight video for those participating in today’s worship: Bill, Laura, Marilyn, Sheri, Steve L. plus Steve V. and all NEC residents in the Theater Room worshiping today, including: Garnet, Bev, Bob, Betty, Janet, Lisa, Fern H., Anne, Betsy …
MARILYN reads Psalm 1
1:1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
1:2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
1:3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
1:6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
SHERI – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens, each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The purple-headed mountains, The river running by,
The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
LAURA READS – Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.
You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself.
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
LAURA – shares a Prayer of Confession
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come
Tis grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life en – dures
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first be – gun
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see
STEVE reads – Matthew 22:34-46
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,
and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question:
“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”
He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”‘?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?”
No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, This is the prom-ise of love,
There shall be sea-sons re-fresh-ing, Sent from the Sav-ior a-bove,
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Pre-cious re-viv-ing a-gain,
O-ver the hills and the val-leys, Sound of a-bun-dance of rain.
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Send them up-on us, O Lord,
Grant to us now a re-fresh-ing, Come, and now hon-or thy Word.
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Oh, that to-day they might fall,
Now as to God we’re con-fess-ing, Now as on Je-sus we call!
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
STEVE LEADS: Any reflections we want to share based on these scripture readings, songs and prayers?
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- Confluence of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality, climate);
- CONCERNS:
- Betty – “gorilla glue” update?
- Lisa – eye surgeon visit
- Steven B. – breathing issues and possibly COVID-19?
- Election Efforts – Cincinnati, Ohio and Nationally
- OTHER UPDATES?
- OTHER CONCERNS?
- JOYS:
- Theater Room opportunity for worship (and Steve V. for his tech efforts!)
- Lisa’s birthday!
- OTHER JOYS?
CONSIDER STARTING PRAYER WITH DEACON ELLEN @ ST. TIMOTHY’S HERE?
Prayer – concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
REPEAT
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.