The Apostle Paul writes about how real love can be recognized and nurtured. Hear these words from 1 Corinthians 13 and 14:1 (TEV): Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal... When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child ...
Call to Worship Pastor: We come in response to the good news of Christ who gave himself for our sins. People: To God be the glory for the gift of his Son! Pastor: We are called to be faithful to that good news: for there is no other gospel apart from the grace of Christ. People: We give our devotion to Christ, our only source of salvation. Collect O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: You have expressed your love to us through the good news of your Son, our Savior! Strengthen us with faithfulness, ...
Call To Worship Leader: Good morning, wealthy friends! You and I — we’ve brought nothing into the world and we’ll take nothing out! But we’ve gathered again to be thankful for who we are and what we have. People: We are rich in spiritual things. We are content with God’s Presence; the path we take to Holy Mystery satisfies our deepest longings. We are rich in Christ! Leader: On our paths with God, we strive to live in ways that honor God and manifest divine love so others may also be content. People: We ...
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2
Bulletin Aid
Russell F. Anderson
Theme: A call to repentance and renewal. The people are called to return to the Lord with acts of worship, giving and devotion that spring from the heart. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 We know little about the writer of this book and there are no historical markers by which to judge the period in which it was composed. Many scholars believe that Joel lived in the Persian period (559-331 B.C.). We do know that he had a keen interest in the temple and can surmise that he hails from priestly ...
Epiphany We wonder, our heavenly Ruler, about the three wise men who brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child, some months or years after his birth. What a presence they must have made in Bethlehem. Did the commonplace appearance of the Holy Family's home cause them to think they might have come to the wrong place? Did they wonder about the plainness of the friends of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus? Perhaps they stepped outside their abode to recheck the position of the guiding star. Did these ...
Proverbs 22:1-16, James 2:1-13, James 2:14-26, Mark 8:27-30, Mark 8:31--9:1
Bulletin Aid
Paul A. Laughlin
First Lesson: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 Theme: The relativity of riches Exegetical note Taken together, these verses do not exactly condemn wealth, but certainly devalue it in several ways: first, by valuing a good reputation above riches; second, by denying special status to the rich in God’s eyes; and third, by elevating the values of justice and sharing above the possession of wealth. Call to Worship Leader: Sisters and brothers, we are are living in a materialistic age. People: MANY OF THE VALUES OF OUR ...
Family Issues There comes the moment, Loving Spirit, when we are devastated by the news of a loved one's tragedy. What should our first response be? What can we say or do for our loved one and for the family members who so lovingly surround him? How should we pray? How we wish we could say, "There, there, now, I'm sure everything will be okay." Or if we can't offer words, surely there must be something we can do. Perhaps we can locate a new specialist, a new medicine, a new diet, a new prayer -- something ...
Psalm 79:1-9, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Luke 16:1-15, 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Bulletin Aid
Julia Ross Strope
Call To Worship Leader: Good morning! I hope you rested well last night and have come here to enjoy integrating tranquility, insistent inspiration, and lively conversation. People: We’ve come to celebrate, giving thanks to the Giver of Life, Living Water, and Spirit Fruits. Leader: God is Great Mystery, calling us to relish the beauty of creation and to live as citizens of benevolent society. People: From the east to the west, God moves among the rich and poor, inviting all humankind to collaborate in ...
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27:1-14, Luke 13:31-35, Philippians 3:17--4:1
Bulletin Aid
Julia Ross Strope
Call To Worship Leader: You’re here! Winter is still holding on and things seem very still this second Sunday in Lent. Fortunately, we know that whatever is happening around us, God is with us. (Candles can be lighted to count the Sundays until Easter.) People: We have no reason to be afraid. We’ve asked God to teach us what to do and to lead us along safe paths. Leader: When we look at the world, we see soldiers and terrorists; we hear of violence. Still we trust God. People: We take seriously our own ...
1 Kings 17:8-24, Psalm 30:1-12; 146:1-10, Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24
Bulletin Aid
Julia Ross Strope
Call To Worship Leader: A good summer morning to you! Are you alert, centered, and talkative? Are you joyfilled? Are you ready to sing? People: Ah, yes. We are thankful for life and we are seeking security and happiness. Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness. People: With music and dance, with words and silence, we thank God for divine goodness among us! Prayer Of Thanksgiving God of Words and Silence — we are glad for the many ways we can ...
Call To Worship Leader: I’m glad today is Sunday and we are here together. People: We are grateful for sanctuary and for faithful friends. Leader: God is with us as usual. People: There’s a poem we like to remember: We lift our eyes to the hills; From where does our help come? Our help comes from God who made heaven and earth. God, our protector never dozes or sleeps; God guards us and is ever by our side. The sun will not hurt us during the day nor the moon during the night. God will protect us from ...
Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-14, (15-20), Titus 2:1-15
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
READINGS Psalter—Psalm 96 First Lesson—In the darkness the prophet welcomes the light of the great king in the line of David who will bring justice and peace. Isaiah 9:2-7 Second Lesson—The grace of God that was made personal in Jesus Christ is expected again. Titus 2:11-14 Gospel—In Bethlehem, a shepherd’s town, is born the Savior who is Mary’s little Jesus, a descendant of the great king, David. Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And ...
Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Titus 2:1-15
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
READINGS Psalter - Psalms 96 First Lesson - In the darkness the prophet welcomes the light of the great king in the line of David who will bring justice and peace. Isaiah 9:2-7 Second Lesson - The grace of God that was made personal in Jesus Christ is expected again. Titus 2:11-14 Gospel - In Bethlehem, a shepherd's town, is born the Savior who is Mary's little Jesus, a descendant of the great king, David. Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. ...
Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:1-20, Philippians 4:4-7
Bulletin Aid
Julia Ross Strope
Call To Worship (Includes the lighting of the Advent Wreath) Leader: Already, the year is behind us and we are counting the days until Christmas — the eldering for one set of reasons and the young for another. We’ve come here to enjoy the festivities of December and to tell again the stories that encourage us to be God-bearers in our world. People: The scriptures say that God has made promises of safety and prosperity to people who are willing to be loyal bearers of goodness and grace, mercy and ...
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
READINGS Psalter--Psalms 119:1-8 First Lesson--The choice to obey or not to obey is the choice ultimately to live or to die. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 [OR] The wise man seeks to define the line of responsibility between the human will and the will of God. Sirach 15:15-20 Second Lesson--Cooperation, not divisiveness, is a sign of maturity. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Gospel--Jesus, the law, and the prophets expect respect not only in outward conformance to the tradition but in reconciliation of differences with others. ...
1 Kings 19:1-15a, Psalm 42 and 43, Isaiah 65:1-9, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29
Bulletin Aid
Julia Ross Strope
Call To Worship Leader: I’m so glad you’re here! There are seats for everyone; there’s slight air movement; the windows engender tranquility and imagination and words will stimulate fresh thoughts. People: It’s good to be here, in sanctuary. We’re glad for opportunities to gather and to express our gratitude to God and our appreciation for one another. Leader: Set aside the remnants of last week; close the calendar for the week ahead. Be emotionally present for this hour, expecting Holy refreshment. Prayer ...
Call To Worship Leader: It’s a good morning! A good day to welcome friends and share good food! People: Ah, yes. We are thankful for the goodness in our lives, glad for homes and wholesome foods. Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness. People: With music and dance, with words and silence, we thank God for opportunities to feel contented and satisfied! Prayer Of Thanksgiving Living God — surely, goodness and mercy follow us from sunrise to ...
Call To Worship Leader: Six weeks of Lent are almost finished. Our smudges of Ash Wednesday — signs of discipleship on our heads and hands — are invisible. Today we mix the excitement of the parade of palms with the dread of passion. (The candles can be lighted.) People: We are glad to be here to consider the stories of Jesus and how they impact our living. Leader: Our days are longer and we have “anticipatory anxiety” as we watch spring burst out. For the past weeks, we have read the biblical accounts of ...
Call To Worship Leader: Six weeks of Lent are almost finished. Our smudges of Ash Wednesday — signs of discipleship on our heads and hands — are invisible. Today we mix the excitement of the parade of palms with the dread of passion. (The candles can be lighted.) People: We are glad to be here to consider the stories of Jesus and how they impact our living. Leader: Our days are longer and we have “anticipatory anxiety” as we watch spring burst out. For the past weeks, we have read the biblical accounts of ...