Sunday, September 27, 2020 - when we've screwed up royally

Theme: The Art of Falling Apart - David and Nathan: when we’ve screwed up royally

Prayer

2 Samuel 12:1-3                                                     Common English Bible Translation

So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When Nathan arrived he said, “There were two men in the same city, one rich, one poor. The rich man had a lot of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing – just one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised that lamb, and it grew up with him and his children. It would eat from his food and drink from his cup – even sleep in his arms! It was like a daughter to him. (Question: How do you care for the thing that is most important to you?)

2 Samuel 12:4-6

“Now a traveler came to visit the rich man, but he wasn’t willing to take anything from his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had arrived. Instead, he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the visitor.” David got very angry at the man, and he said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the one who did this is demonic! He must restore the ewe lamb seven times over because he did this and because he had no compassion.” (Question: How has loss in your life cultivate empathy or not in yourself?)

2 Samuel 12:7-10

“You are that man!” Nathan told David. “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you kind over Israel and delivered you from Saul’s power. I gave your master’s house to you, and gave his wives into your embrace. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. If that was too little, I would have given even more. Why have you despised the Lord’s word by doing what is evil in his eyes? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and taken his wife as your own. You used the Ammonites to kill him. Because of that, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own, the sword will never leave your own house. (Question: Have your wants and desires ever hurt others?)

2 Samuel 12:11-14

“This is what the Lord says: I am making trouble come against you from inside your own family. Before your very eyes I will take your wives away and give them to your friend, and he will have sex with your wives in broad daylight. You did what you did secretly, but I will do what I am doing before all Israel in the light of day.” I’ve sinned against the Lord!” David said to Nathan. “The Lord has removed your sin,” Nathan replied to David. “You won’t die. However, because you have utterly disrespected the Lord by doing this, the son born to you will definitely die.” (Question: How have you handled the consequences that you’ve faced in life?)

2 Samuel 12:18a, 19b-24a

On the seventh day, the child died. “Is the child dead?” David asked his servants. “Yes,” they said, “he is dead.” Then David rose from the ground, bathed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He entered the Lord’s house and bowed down. Then he entered his own house. He requested food, which was brought to him, and he ate. “Why are you acting this day?” his servants asked. “When the child was alive, you fasted and cried and kept watch, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat food!” David replied, “While the child was alive I fasted and wept because I thought, Who knows? The Lord may have mercy on me and let the child live. But he is dead now. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? No. I am going where he is, but he won’t come back to me.” Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba. (Question: How do you move forward after screwing up?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

As the Deer

The Show Must Go On - Queen

Life to Fix – The Record Company

Never Give Up – for King & Country

Quote by author Anne Lamott

“Sometimes I think God loves the ones who most desperately ache and are most desperately lost – his or her wildest, most messed-up children – the way you’d ache and love a screwed-up rebel daughter in juvenile hall.

Quote by Richard Branson

My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you’re moving forward. All you have to do is get back up and try again.

Sunday, September 20, 2020 - when we try to make plans

Theme: Waking Up to God - Moses: when we try to make plans

Prayer

Deuteronomy 1:19-22                                                     Common English Bible Translation

We left Horeb and journeyed through that vast and terrifying desert you saw, on the way to the hills of the Amorites, exactly as the Lord our God commanded us. Then we arrived at Kadesh-barnea. I said to you: You have come to the hills of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving to us. Look! The Lord your God has laid out the land before you. Go up and take it, just as the Lord, your ancestors’ God, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be frightened! Then all of you approached me, saying, “Let’s send spies ahead of us – they can check out the land for us. Then they can return with word about the route we should use and bring a report about the cities that we’ll be entering.” (Question: Have you ever altered plans because of fear?)

Deuteronomy 1:23-25

This idea seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men, one from each tribe. These set out and went up into the hills, going as far as the Cluster ravine. They walked all around that area. They took some of the land’s fruit and then came back down to us. They reported to us: “The land that the Lord our God is giving to us is wonderful!” (Question: Have you felt like you had the most amazing plan and couldn’t wait to see it through?)

Deuteronomy 1:26-28

But you weren’t willing to go up. You rejected the Lord your God’s instruction. You complained in your tents, saying things like, “The Lord hates us! That’s why he brought us out of Egypt – to hand us over to the Amorites, to destroy us! What are we doing? Our brothers have made our hearts sick by saying, ‘People far stronger and much taller than we live there, and the cities are huge, with walls sky-high! Worse still, we saw the descendants of the Anakites there!’” (Question: Have you ever experienced a plan that you liked falling apart?)

Deuteronomy 1:29-33

But I said to you: Don’t be terrified! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is going before you. He will fight for you just as he fought for you in Egypt while you watched, and as you saw him do in the desert. Throughout your entire journey, until you reached this very place, the Lord your God has carried you just as a parent carries a child. But you had no faith in the Lord your God about this matter, even though he went ahead of you, scouting places where you should camp, in fire by night, so you could see the road you were taking, and in cloud during the daytime. (Question: Have we ever let our fear keep us from something good?)

Deuteronomy 1:34-38

The Lord heard what you said. He was angry and he swore: Not even one of these people – this wicked generation! – will see the wonderful land that I promised to give to your ancestors. The only exception is Caleb, Jephunneh’s son. He will see it. I will give the land he walked on to him and his children for this reason: he was completely devoted to the Lord. The Lord was even 

angry with me because of what you did. “You won’t enter the land either,” God said. “But Nun’s son Joshua, your assistant, will enter it. Strengthen him because he’s the one who will help Israel inherit the land.” (Question: What has been some of the most difficult consequences you have had to face?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

There Is a Balm in Gilead

Open My Eyes, That I May See

Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams

Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

Dead Wrong – The Fray

Quote by Thich Nhat Hanh

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

Quote by Roseanne Cash

“The key to change… is to let go of fear.”

Quote by Queen Latifah

“Fear is not good when you have a goal and you’re fearful of obstacles. We often get trapped by our fears, but anyone who has had success has failed before.”

Sunday, September 13, 2020 - What do we live for?

Theme: What do we live for?

Prayer

Romans 14:1-4                                                             Common English Bible Translation

Welcome the person who is weak in faith – but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. One person believes in eating everything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Those who eat must not look down on the ones who don’t, and the ones who don’t eat must not judge the ones who do, because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servants? They stand or fall before their own Lord (and they will stand, because the Lord has the power to make them stand). (Question: What aggravates you about other people’s actions? Why?)

Romans 14:5-6

One person considers some days to be more sacred than others; while another person considers all days to be the same. Each person must have their own convictions. Someone who thinks that a day is sacred, thinks that way for the Lord. Those who eat, eat for the Lord, because they thank God. And those who don’t eat, don’t eat for the Lord, and they thank the Lord too. (Question: How do you decide what matters to you?)

Romans 14:7-9

We don’t live for ourselves and we don’t die for ourselves. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God. This is why Christ died and lived: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Question: How does your life belong to God?)

Romans 14:10-11

But why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on your brother or sister? We all will stand in front of the judgment seat of God. Because it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. (Question: What are the things you find yourself being the most judgmental about with others?) 

Romans 14:12, 19

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. (Question: What are things that you strive to accomplish in life?) 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

God of Great and God of Small

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

O for a World

Revolution – The Beatles

Slave to Nothing – Zach Williams

Mercy – Dave Matthews Band

Quote by Helen Keller

“I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.”

Quote by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.”

Quote by Buddha

“Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.”

Sunday, September 6, 2020 - when situations seem impossible

Theme: Waking Up to God - Gideon: when situations seem impossible

Prayer

Judges 6:11-13                                                                    Common English Bible Translation

Then the Lord’s messenger came and sat under the oak at Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Lord’s messenger appeared to him and said, “the Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” But Gideon replied to him, “With all due respect, my Lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his amazing works that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, ‘Didn’t the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and allowed Midian to overpower us.” (Question: Have you ever felt like God abandoned you? Why?)

Judges 6:14-18

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “You have strength, so go and rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not personally sending you?” But again Gideon said to him, “With all due respect, my Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I’m the youngest in my household.” The Lord replied, “Because I’m with you, you’ll defeat the Midianites as if they were just one person.” Then Gideon said to him, “If I’ve gained your approval, please show me a sign that it’s really you speaking with me. Don’t leave here until I return, bring out my offering, and set it in front of you.” The Lord replied, “I’ll stay until you return.” (Question: How do you need God to show up in your life?)

Judges 6:19-21

So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and used an ephah of flour for unleavened bread. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them. Then God’s messenger said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and set them on this rock, then pour out the broth.” And he did so. The Lord’s messenger reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire came up from the rock and devoured the meat and the unleavened bread; the Lord’s messenger vanished before his eyes. (Question: How have you experienced God?)

Judges 6:22-24

Then Gideon realized that it had been the Lord’s messenger. Gideon exclaimed, “Oh no, Lord God! I have seen the Lord’s messenger face-to-face!” But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Don’t be afraid! You won’t die.” So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it “The Lord makes peace.” It still stands today in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Question: How do you respond to God?)

Judges 6:33-34, 36-40

Sometime later, all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other easterners joined together, came over, and set up camp in the Jezreel Valley. Then the Lord’s spirit came over Gideon, and he sounded the horn and summoned the Abiezrites to follow him. But then Gideon said to God, “To see if you really intend to rescue Israel through me as you have declared, I’m now putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece but all the ground is dry, then I’ll know that you are going to rescue Israel through me, as you have declared.” And that is what happened. When he got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung out enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, “Don’t be angry with me, but let me speak just one more time. Please let me make just one more test with the fleece: now let only the fleece be dry and let dew be on all the ground.” And God did so that night. Only the fleece was dry, but there was dew on all the ground. (Question: What makes you question whether or not God is at work in the world?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Take My Life

Will You Come and Follow Me

Here in This Place

This is Me Trying – Taylor Swift

Back into The Light – The Avett Brothers

Quotes by Peter Abelard (1079-1142) Theologian and Philosopher

-“The key to wisdom is this – constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.”

-“It is by doubting that we come to investigate, and by investigating that we recognize the truth.”

Quote by Poet T. S. Eliot

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

Sunday, August 30, 2020 - when trust is a struggle

Theme: Waking Up to God - Paul: when trust is a struggle

Prayer

Acts 9:1-4                                                                           Common English Bible Translation

Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?” (Question: What has been the biggest change in your life?)

Acts 9:5-9

Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.” Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything. (Question: How do you handle change in your life?)

Acts 9:10-15

In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He answered, “Yes, Lord.” The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.” Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.” The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. (Question: Have you ever thought it was impossible for someone else or yourself to change?)

Acts 9:17-19

Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me – Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After eating, he regained his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. (Question: Have you ever not wanted to help someone because you are afraid?)

Acts 9:20-21, 26-28

Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared. Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, “Isn’t he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn’t he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?” When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really a disciple. Then Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them the story about how Saul saw the Lord on the way and that the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them about the confidence with which Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. After this, Saul moved freely among the disciples in Jerusalem and was speaking with confidence in the name of the Lord. (Question: Have you ever struggled with trusting someone or yourself even after there has been a change?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Amazing Grace

I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Lord, Prepare Me

Change – Taylor Swift

Rise Up – Imagine Dragon

Quote by Corrie Ten Boom

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Quote by Brené Brown

“You can’t cheat real connection. It’s built up slowly. It’s about trust and time.”

Sunday, August 23, 2020 - when we feel inadequate

Theme: Waking Up to God - Ethiopian Eunuch: when we feel inadequate

Prayer

Acts 8:26-27                                                                      Common English Bible Translation

An angel from the Lord spoke to Philip, “At noon, take the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he did. Meanwhile, an Ethiopian man was on his way home from Jerusalem, where he had come to worship. He was a eunuch and an official responsible for the entire treasury of Candace. (Candace is the title given to the Ethiopian queen.) (Question: What are things that define you?)

Acts 8:28-30

He was reading the prophet Isaiah while sitting in his carriage. The Spirit told Philip, “Approach this carriage and stay with it.” Running up to the carriage, Philip heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you really understand what you are reading?” (Question: What are some things that you struggle to understand in your life? Why?)

Acts 8:31-33

The man replied, “Without someone to guide me, how could I?” Then he invited Philip to climb up and sit with him. This was the passage of scripture he was reading: 

Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

  and like a lamb before its shearer is silent

    so he didn’t open his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was taken away from him.

    Who can tell the story of his descendants

        because his life was taken from the earth?

(Question: How often do you talk about the things you don’t understand with the people around you? Why?

Acts 8:34-36

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, about whom does the prophet say this? Is he talking about himself or someone else?” Starting with that passage, Philip proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. As they went down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look! Water! What would keep me from being baptized?” (Question: What stops you from making needed changes in your life?)

Acts 8:38-40

He ordered that carriage halt. Both Philip and the eunuch went down to the water, where Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit suddenly took Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found himself in Azotus. He traveled through that area, preaching the good news in all the cities until he reached Caesarea. (Question: Have you ever tried to encourage others even if you didn’t know them very well?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Shall We Gather at the River

God Grace and God of Glory

Be Thou My Vision

Down to the River to Pray – Alison Krauss

Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men

Hey Brother - Avicii

Quote by author Simon Sinek

“If you have the opportunity to do amazing things in your life, I strongly encourage you to invite someone to join you.

Quote by Thomas Merton

“We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it is only when we are fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves properly and thus also love others.”

August 16, 2020 - when we're uncomfortable

Theme: Waking Up to God - Jesus: when we’re uncomfortable

Prayer

Luke 16:19-21                                                                  Common English Bible Translation

“There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores. (Question: What are the things we long to have in life and why do we long for those things?)

Luke 16:22-24

“The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’ (Question: How do you treat other people when you are uncomfortable?)

Luke 16:25-26

But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain. Moreover, a great crevasse has been fixed between us and you. Those who wish to cross over from here to you cannot. Neither can anyone cross from there to us.’ (Question: How uncomfortable do you have to be before you change something?)

Luke 16:27-29

“The rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, send Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. He needs to warn them so that they don’t come to this place of agony.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. They must listen to them.’ (Question: When are you most likely and least likely to take someone’s advice? Why?)

Luke 16:30-31

The rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will change their hearts and lives.’ Abraham said, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.” (Question: Why is it so hard to listen to wisdom and then use that wisdom to change?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Ain’t No Man – The Avett Brothers

Preacher Man – Asa

Royals - Lorde

Quote by Writer, Nobel Laureate, & Holocaust Survivor, Elie Wiesel

“A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.”

Quote by Mother Teresa

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

August 9, 2020 - when situations get the better of us

Theme: Waking Up to God - Jonah: when situations get the better of us

Prayer

Jonah 3:10-4:1                                                              Common English Bible Translation

God saw what they were doing-that they had ceased their evil behavior. So God stopped planning to destroy them, and he didn’t do it. But Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry. (Question: Have you ever wanted mercy for yourself but not for someone else?)

Jonah 4:2-3

He prayed to the Lord, “Come on, Lord! Wasn’t this precisely my point when I was back in my own land? This is why I fled to Tarshish earlier! I know that you are a merciful and compassionate God, very patient, full of faithful love, and willing to destroy. At this point, Lord, you may as well take my life from me, because it would be better for me to die than to live.” (Question: How do you react when something good happens to someone you don’t like?)

Jonah 4:4-5

The Lord responded, “Is your anger a good thing?” But Jonah went out from the city and sat down east of the city. There he made himself a hut and sat under it, in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. (Question: Has anger ever clouded your judgment?)

Jonah 4:6-8

Then the Lord God provided a shrub, and it grew up over Jonah, providing shade for his head and saving him from his misery. Jonah was very happy about the shrub. But God provided a worm the next day at dawn, and it attacked the shrub so that it died. Then as the sun rose God provided a dry east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint. He begged that he might die, saying, “It’s better for me to die than to live.” (Question: What do you want God to provide for you but not for someone else?)

Jonah 4:9-11

God said to Jonah, “Is your anger about the shrub a good thing?” Jonah said, “Yes, my anger is good – even to the point of death!” But the Lord said, “You ‘pitied’ the shrub, for which you didn’t work and which you didn’t raise; it grew in a night and perished in a night. Yet for my part, can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” (Question: Have you ever struggled to have empathy for others? Why?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Ablaze – Alanis Morissette

Get Out of Your Own Way – U2

Less Like Me – Zach Williams

Chase Me Down – Chris Tomlin

Quote by Theologian Richard Rohr

“Your heart has to be prepared ahead of time through faith and prayer and grace and mercy and love and forgiveness so you can keep your heart open in hell, when hell happens.”

Quote by Philosopher & Emperor Marcus Aurelius

“How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.”

Sunday, August 2, 2020 - when the pressure builds

Theme: Life’s Twists & Our Turns - Jesus: when the pressure builds

Prayer

Matthew 26:36-39                                                        Common English Bible Translation

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However – not what I want but what you want.” (Question: What are the things that cause you the most anxiety? Why?)

Matthew 26:40-46

He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me? Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.” Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep. But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time. Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? Look the time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.” (Question: Have you ever felt all alone in whatever you are struggling with?)

Matthew 26:47-50

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss.” Just then he came to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi.” Then he kissed him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him. (Question: How do you react when under pressure?)

Matthew 26:51-53

One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I’m not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups of angels right away? (Question: What do you rely upon to give you strength during difficult moments?)

Matthew 26:55-56

Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn’t arrest me. But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away. (Question: How do you keep your composure when you feel lonely and under attack?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Abide with Me

What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine

My Life Flows On

Falling – Harry Styles

Under Pressure - Queen

Not Gonna Break Me – Jamie N Commons

Sunday, July 26, 2020 - when trying to make the right decisions

Theme: Life’s Twists and Our Turns - Daniel: when trying to make the right decisions

Prayer 

Daniel 6:1-4                                                              Common English Bible Translation

Darius decided to appoint one hundred twenty chief administrators throughout the kingdom, and to set over them three main officers to whom they would report so that the king wouldn’t have to be bothered with too much. One of these main officers was Daniel. Because of his extraordinary spirit, Daniel soon surpassed the other officers and the chief administrators – so much so that the king had plans to set him over the entire kingdom. As a result, the other officers and the chief administrators tried to find some problem with Daniel’s work for the kingdom. But they couldn’t find any problem or corruption at all because Daniel was trustworthy. He wasn’t guilty of any negligence or corruption. (Question: How has your jealousy or someone else’s disrupted your life?) 

Daniel 6:5-8

So these men said, “We won’t find any fault in Daniel, unless we can find something to use against him from his religious practice. So these officers and chief administrators ganged together and went to the king. They said to him, “Long live King Darius! All the officers of the kingdom, the ministers, the chief administrators, the royal associates, and the governors advise the king to issue an edict and enforce a law, that for thirty days anyone who says prayers to any god or human being except you, Your Majesty, will be thrown into a pit of lions. Now, Your Majesty, issue the law and sign the document so that it cannot be changed, as per the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled.” (Question: Have you ever found yourself picking people apart or experienced someone doing that to you and how did that make you feel?)

Daniel 6:10-12

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. Now his upper room had open windows that faced Jerusalem. Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times that day, just like he always did. Just then these men, all ganged together, came upon Daniel praying and seeking mercy from his God. They then went and talked to the king about the law: “Your Majesty! Didn’t you sign a law, that for thirty days any person who prays to any god or human being besides you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into a pit of lions?” The king replied, “The decision is absolutely firm in accordance with the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled.” (Question: Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try things just keep falling apart?)

Daniel 6:13-16

So they said to the king, “One of the Judean exiles, Daniel, has ignored you, Your Majesty, as well as the law you signed. He says his prayers three times a day!” When the king heard this report, he was very unhappy. He decided to rescue Daniel and did everything he could do to save Daniel before the sun went down. But these men, all ganged together, came and said to the king, “You must realize, Your Majesty, that the law of Media and Persia, including every law and edict the king has issued, cannot be changed.” So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and hurled him into the pit of lions. The king said to Daniel: “Your God – the one you serve so consistently – will rescue you.” (Question: Do ever find it hard to admit that you were wrong about decisions you made that impacted others? Why?)

Daniel 6:19-23

At dawn, at the first sign of light, the king rose and rushed to the lions’ pit. As he approached it, he called out to Daniel, worried: “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God – the one you serve so consistently – able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel answered the king: “long live the king! My God sent his messenger, who shut the lions’ mouths. They haven’t touched me because I was judged innocent before my God. I haven’t done anything wrong to you either, Your Majesty.” The king was thrilled. He commanded that Daniel be brought up out of the pit, and Daniel was lifted out. Not a scratch was found on him, because he trusted in his God. (Question: Who helps you through the most difficult times?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Hope of the World

Song of Hope

Come, Live in the Light!

Together – for King & Country

Back’s Against the Wall – Judah & the Lion

Be a Light – Thomas Rhett

Sunday, July 19, 2020 - when the worries keep coming

Theme: Life’s Twists and Our Turns - Jesus: when the worries keep coming

Prayer

Luke 12:22-23                                                                    Common English Bible Translation

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. There is more to life than food and more to the body than clothing. (Questions: What do you worry about? How long is the list of worries?)

Luke 12:24-26

Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them. You are worth so much more than birds! Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? If you can’t do such a small thing, why worry about the rest? (Question: What worries keep you from having a good life?) 

Luke 12:27-28

Notice how the lilies grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! (Question: What are the things that give you life?)

Luke 12:29-31

Don’t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. (Question: What do you long for that when obtained you don’t find satisfying?)

Luke 12:32-34

“Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out – a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. (Question: What do you trust to help you get through life?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

 Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining

When Peace like a River

Standing on the Promises

Under Pressure – Queen

You Worry Me – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Sunday, July 12, 2020 - when the past reappears

Prayer

Exodus 14:10-12                                                            Common English Bible Translation

As Pharaoh drew closer, the Israelites looked back and saw the Egyptians marching toward them. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt that you took us away to die in the desert? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt like this? Didn’t we tell you the same thing in Egypt? ‘Leave us alone! Let us work for the Egyptians!’ It would have been better for us to work for the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” (Question: Have you ever wanted to stay in the past because it was more comfortable than living into the unknown?)

Exodus 14:13-16, 21b-23

But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never ever see again. The Lord will fight for you. You just keep still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to get moving. As for you, lift your shepherd’s rod, stretch out your hand over the sea, and split it in two so that the Israelites can go into the sea on dry ground. The Lord pushed the sea back by a strong east wind all night, turning the sea into dry land. The waters were split into two. The Israelites walked into the sea on dry ground. The waters formed a wall for them on their right hand and on the their left. The Egyptians chased them and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and cavalry. (Question: What fears do you have about the future?)

Exodus 14:26-27

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the water comes back and covers the Egyptians, their chariots, and their cavalry.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. At day-break, the sea returned to its normal depth. The Egyptians were driving toward it, and the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. (Question: Have you ever wanted something so bad that you were willing to lose everything over it?)

Exodus 14:28-29

The waters returned and covered the chariots and the cavalry, Pharaoh’s entire army that had followed them into the sea. Not one of them remained. The Israelites, however, walked on dry ground through the sea. The waters formed a wall for them on their right hand and on their left. (Question: What do you struggle to leave in the past?)

Exodus 14:30-31

The Lord rescued Israel from the Egyptians that day. Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the amazing power of the Lord against the Egyptians. The people were in awe of the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. (Question: What gives you strength for moving forward in your life?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

I, the Lord of Sea and Sky

My Liberty – Zach Williams

Rescue – Lauren Daigle

Sunday, July 5, 2020 - creating community

Theme: Building the Life We Need - Jesus: creating community

Prayer

John 15:9 & Mark 5:21-24                                              Common English Bible Translation

“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. (Mk 5:21-24) Jesus crossed the lake again, and on the other side a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Jairus, one of the synagogue leaders, came forward. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded with him, “My daughter is about to die. Please, come and place your hands on her so that she can be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A swarm of people were following Jesus, crowding in on him. (Questions: Who do you follow and why? Who follows you and why?)

John 15:10 & Mark 5:25-30

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. (Mk 5:25-30) A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot under the care of many doctors, and had spent everything she had without getting any better. In fact, she had gotten worse. Because she had heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes. She was thinking, If I can just touch his clothes, I’ll be healed. Her bleeding stopped immediately, and she sensed in her body that her illness had been healed. At that very moment, Jesus recognized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” (Question: Have you ever felt like you weren’t part of a community but wanted to be?)

John 15:11 & Mark 5:31-34

I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. (Mk 5:31-35) His disciples said to him, “Don’t you see the crowd pressing against you? Yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” But Jesus looked around carefully to see who had done it. The woman, full of fear and trembling, came forward. Knowing what had happened to her, she fell down in front of Jesus and told him the whole truth. He responded, “Daughter, your faith has healed you; go in peace, healed from your disease.” (Question: How do you determine who is worthy of your time?)

John 15:12 & Mark 5:35-36

This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. (Mk 5:35-36) While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?” But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” (Question: Have you ever believed that someone was more important to the community than someone else? Why?)

Mark 5:37-39

He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” (Question: How have you experienced God’s unexpected renewal?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Will You Come and Follow Me

Love Is Eternal Sacred Light – Paul Simon

Is This Love – Bob Marley

Sunday, June 28, 2020 - priorities for everyday

Theme: Building the Life We Need – Paul: priorities for everyday

Prayer

Philippians 3:1-4                                                            Common English Bible Translation

So then, my brothers and sisters, be glad in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. Watch out for the “dogs.” Watch out for people who do evil things. Watch out for those who insist on circumcision, which is really mutilation. We are the circumcision. We are the ones who serve by God’s Spirit and who boast in Christ Jesus. We don’t put our confidence in rituals performed on the body, though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more. (Question: What is a priority that you find important for yourself and wish others would make it a priority for themselves?)

Philippians 3:5-7

I was circumcised on the eighth day. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews. With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee. With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church. With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless. These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. (Question: What are some priorities from your past that you found healthy to let go of?)

Philippians 3:8-9

But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. (Question: What are priorities that you have, which are based on Jesus?) 

Philippians 3:10-12

The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead. It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. (Question: What are some priorities you think you should have because of Jesus but you struggle to implement?)

Philippians 3:13-16

Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus. So all of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, and if anyone thinks differently, God will reveal it to him or her. Only let’s live in a way that is consistent with whatever level we have reached. (Question: What are the priorities you struggle with the most and why?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Be Thou My Vision

Open My Eyes, That I May See

O for a World

Let’s Do It Till We Get It Right – Jamie N Commons

I Worship You – The Little Willies

Sunday, June 21, 2020 - guided by values

Isaiah 61:1                                                                        Common English Bible Translation

The Lord God’s spirit is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners. (Question: What in your life do you change when you experience God’s spirit upon you?)

Isaiah 61:2-3

To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and a day of vindication for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for Zion’s mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the Lord to glorify himself. (Question: What do you regularly do for others builds them up?)

Isaiah 61:4

They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore formerly deserted places; they will renew ruined cities, places deserted in generations past. (Question: What are you building in your life or for others that is new?)

Isaiah 61:8

I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and dishonesty. I will faithfully give them their wage, and make with them an enduring covenant. (Question: How do you participate in acts of justice? Justice being defined here as love in action that brings freedom, dignity, and peace.)

Isaiah 61:9-11

Their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them will recognize that they are a people blessed by the Lord. I surely rejoice in the Lord; my heart is joyful because of my God, because he has clothed me with clothes of victory, wrapped me in a robe of righteousness like a bridegroom in a priestly crown, and like a bride adorned in jewelry. As the earth puts out its growth, and as a garden grows its seeds, so the Lord God will grow righteousness and praise before all the nations. (Question: How do you pass on your values to others?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

When the Lord Redeems the Very Least

Live into Hope

Still Rolling Stones – Lauren Daigle

Heart of My Beat - TobyMac

Sunday, June 14, 2020 - practicing renewal

Theme: Building the Life We Need - Paul: practicing renewal

Prayer

Romans 12:1-3                                                                Common English Bible Translation

So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is – what is good and pleasing and mature. Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. (Question: What are the things we do to renew ourselves?)

Romans 12:4-8

We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful. (Question: What are the gifts and abilities you have been given and how do you use them to build others up?)

Romans 12:9-13

Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic – be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. (Question: What is hardest part about showing love and hating evil?)

Romans 12:14-17

Bless people who harass you – bless and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. (Question: How do you bless people on a daily basis?)

Romans 12:18-21

If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good. (Question: What are the things you need to let go of?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

God, You Spin the Whirling Planets

We Are One in the Spirit

Revolution – The Beatles

Saw Lightning – Beck

Roar – Katy Perry

Sunday, June 7, 2020 - being resilient

Theme: Building the Life We Need - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: being resilient

Prayer

Daniel 3:8-12                                                                   Common English Bible Translation

At that moment some Chaldeans came forward, seizing a chance to attach the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar: “Long live the King! Your majesty, you gave a command that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument should bow down and worship the gold statue. Anyone who wouldn’t bow and worship would be thrown into a furnace of flaming fire. Now there are some Jews, ones you appointed to administer the province of Babylon – specifically, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – who have ignored your command. They don’t serve your gods, and they don’t worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Question: Have you ever struggled with devoting too much time to something that you knew wasn’t healthy?)

Daniel 3:13-18

In a violent rage Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I’ve set up? If you are now ready to do so, bow down and worship the gold statue I’ve made when you hear the sound of horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument. But if you won’t worship it, you will be thrown straight into the furnace of flaming fire. Then what god will rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: “We don’t need to answer your question. If our God – the one we serve – is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, Your Majesty, then let him rescue us. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain. Your Majesty: we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Question: Have you ever struggled to make the right decision because of possible repercussions?) 

Daniel 3:19-23

Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his face twisted beyond recognition because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response he commanded that the furnace be heated to seven times its normal heat. He told some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of flaming fire. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound, still dressed in all their clothes, and thrown into the furnace of flaming fire. (Now the King’s command had been rash, and the furnace was heated to such an extreme that the fire’s flame killed the very men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it. So these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell, bound, into the furnace of flaming fire. (Question: Has any emotion ever overridden your thinking process?)

Daniel 3:24-25

Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in shock and said to his associates, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?” They answered the king, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He replied, “Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around inside the fire, and they aren’t hurt! And the fourth one looks like one of the gods.” (Question: Have you ever done the right thing in a difficult situation and had good unexpected consequences?)

Daniel 3:26-27

Nebuchadnezzar went near the opening of the furnace of flaming fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The chief administrators, ministers, governors, and the king’s associates crowded around to look at them. The fire hadn’t done anything to them: their hair wasn’t singed; their garments looked the same as before; they didn’t even smell like fire! (Question: How have you emerged from difficult situations or events?)

Daniel 3:28

Nebuchadnezzar declared: “May the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be praised! He sent his messenger to rescue his servants who trusted him. They ignored the king’s order, sacrificing their bodies, because they wouldn’t serve or worship any god but their God.

(Question: Have your actions ever inspired good in others?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Creatures of Our God and King

King of Anything – Sara Bareilles

Rescue – Lauren Daigle

A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan or Patti Smith’s version

Sunday, May 31, 2020 - a meaningful life

Luke 6:27-31                                                          Common English Bible Translation

“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you. (Question: What is your demeanor towards people you don’t like?)

Luke 6:32-36

“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. (Question: How do you handle uncomfortable situations when you are not liked?)

Luke 6:37-38

Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion – packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing – will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” (Question: How do you determine what is important to you?)

Luke 6:39-42

Jesus also told them a riddle. “A blind person can’t lead another blind person, right? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Disciples aren’t greater than their teacher, but whoever is fully prepared will be like their teacher. Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s or sister’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Brother, Sister, let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You deceive yourselves! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye. (Question: What is most important to you about your life?)

Luke 6:43-45

“A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants, nor do they pick grapes from prickly bushes. A good person produces good from the good treasury of the inner self, while an evil person produces evil from the evil treasury of the inner self. The inner self overflows with words that are spoken. (Question: What do we produce that matters to our lives and to other people’s lives?)

Luke 6:46-49

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say? I’ll show what it’s like when someone comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice. It’s like a person building a house by digging deep and laying the foundation on bedrock. When the flood came, the rising water smashed against that house, but the water couldn’t shake the house because it was well built. But those who don’t put into practice what they hear are like a person who built a house without a foundation. The floodwater smashed against it and it collapsed instantly. It was completely destroyed.” (Question: What do you find difficult about practicing what Jesus says?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Be Thou My Vision

Open My Eyes, That I May See

Fight On, Fighter – for King & Country

Movin’ on – Jonathan McReynolds

Make It Happen – The Record Company

Sunday, May 24, 2020 - when relationships change

Theme: Making Sense of the Wilderness - Jesus: when relationships change

Prayer

Acts 1:4-8                                                          Common English Bible Translation

While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are we you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?” Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(Question: Have you ever had expectations on a relationship that weren’t realized? How did that impact you?)

Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

(Question: Have you ever had a relationship that encouraged to live a certain way? Was it positive or negative?)

Acts 1:9-11

After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”

(Question: Have you ever stayed stuck in the past with a relationship?)

Acts 1:12-14

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem – a sabbath day’s journey away. When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the Zealot; and Judas, James’ son – all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Question: Who do you surround yourself with that has a positive impact upon your life?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine

Standing on the Promises

Come Together – The Beatles

Love Like This – Lauren Daigle

You’re the One I Want - Switchfoot

Sunday, May 17, 2020 - when we don't know where we will land

Prayer

God who knows our beginning, end and everything in between. Sometimes we feel so helpless as we try to navigate this life of ours. Open us to where your presence is leading us. Give us the strength for this journey and the courage to face whatever may happen. May we not lose sight of your loving care during this time. Amen.

Acts 27:9b-11, 13                                                          Common English Bible Translation

Paul warned them, “Men, I see that our voyage will suffer damage and great loss, not only for the cargo and ship but also for our lives.” But the centurion was persuaded more by the ship’s pilot and captain than by Paul’s advice. When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they could carry out their plan. They pulled up anchor and sailed closely along the coast of Crete. (Question: Have you ever wished you took someone’s advice? Why didn’t you take it?)

Acts 27:14-15, 18-20

Before long, a hurricane-strength wind known as a northeaster swept down from Crete. The ship was caught in the storm and couldn’t be turned into the wind. So we gave in to it, and it carried us along. We were so battered by the violent storm that the next day the men began throwing cargo overboard. On the third day, they picked up the ship’s gear and hurled it into the sea. When neither the sun nor the moon appeared for many days and the raging storm continued to pound us, all hope of our being saved from this peril faded. (Question: Have you ever lost hope? Why?)

Acts 27:21b-26

Paul stood among them and said, “Men, you should have complied with my instruction not to sail from Crete. Then we would have avoided this damage and loss. Now I urge you to be encouraged. Not one of your lives will be lost, though we will lose the ship. Last night an angel from the God to whom I belong and whom I worship stood beside me. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar! Indeed, God has also graciously given you everyone sailing with you.’ Be encouraged, men! I have faith in God that it will be exactly as he told me. However, we must run aground on some island.” (Question: What gives you hope in challenging times?)

Acts 27:27-29

On the fourteenth night, we were being carried across the Adriatic Sea. Around midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was near. They dropped a weighted line to take soundings and found the water to be about one hundred twenty feet deep. After proceeding a little farther, we took soundings again and found the water to be about ninety feet deep. Afraid that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they hurled out four anchors from the stern and began to pray for daylight. (Question: How does your prayer life change during storms of life?)

Acts 27:39, 41-44

In the morning light they saw a bay with a sandy beach. They didn’t know what land it was, but they thought they might possibly be able to run the ship aground. They struck a sandbar and ship ran aground. The bow was stuck and wouldn’t move, and the stern was broken into pieces by the force of the waves. The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming to shore and escaping. However, the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and head for land. He ordered the rest to grab hold of planks or debris from the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely. (Question: What is most fearful about not knowing the outcome of a situation?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!

When Peace like a River

Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer

Wake Me Up – Avicii

Under Pressure – Queen