“SPOTLIGHT” OF THOSE WORSHIPING GOD
- NEC THEATER ROOM
- via Zoom
MUSICAL SELECTION – Peaceful Introduction
LAURA reads Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16
Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate.
To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.
STEVE – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
I’m only human, I’m just a (wo) man,
Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am,
Show me the stairway I have to climb,
Lord, for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time.
One day at a time, dear Jesus, That’s all I’m asking from You,
Just give me the strength to do ev’ry day What I have to do;
Yesterday’s gone, dear Jesus, And tomorrow may never be mine,
Lord, help me today, Show me the way one day at a time.
Do you remember when you walked among men?
Well, Jesus, you know if you’re looking below that it’s worse now than then.
Pushing and shoving, crowding my mind,
So, for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time.
One day at a time, dear Jesus, That’s all I’m asking from You,
Just give me the strength to do ev’ry day What I have to do;
Yesterday’s gone, dear Jesus, And tomorrow may never be mine,
Lord, help me today, Show me the way one day at a time.
But it don’t hurt Lord, if we think past today
Help us to think, that we’re not on the brink, showin’ kindness each day,
And if we do Lord, Pass along your good grace
Maybe we make, the actions folk take better day after day
One day at a time, dear Jesus, That’s all I’m asking from You,
Just give me the strength to do ev’ry day What I have to do;
Yesterday’s gone, dear Jesus, And tomorrow may never be mine,
Lord, help me today, Show me the way one day at a time.
PSALM 70 – RESPONSIVE READING ADAPTATION
STEVE V.: Be pleased, O God, to deliver us.
ALL: O LORD, hasten to help us!
LAURA: Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek our lives. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt us.
ALL: O LORD, hasten to help us!
BILL: Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame.
ALL: O LORD, hasten to help them!
MARILYN: Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
ALL: O LORD, hasten to help us!
STEVE L.: But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!
ALL: O LORD, hasten to help me!
BILL – shares a Prayer of Confession
STEVE reads Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.
But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
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 Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20
The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her,
and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,
and immortality brings one near to God;
so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.
STEVE LEADS: reflections on today’s scripture and/or song
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- Confluence of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality, climate, political season);
- JOYS TO SHARE:
- CONCERNS / PRAYERS OF STRENGTH & SUPPORT:
- Joe – Garnet’s s-i-l with knee issues
- Lisa’s
Prayer – concluding with The Lord’s Prayer