Singing the Blues

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Luke 16:1-13

Information about the First Nations Version available here

One of my professors in seminary, Greg Mobley, used to tell us that the closest we, as modern minded people in the west could get to understanding where the Hebrew Prophets were coming from was to try to understand the Blues.

When I say the blues, I don’t mean simply being sad; but rather the genre of music born out of the African American experience in the Mississippi Delta in the early 1900s that eventually birthed almost all modern popular music: country, R&B, rock and roll, jazz, and hip hop all are descended from those Delta blues, by way of Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles, or Harlem.

Blues music, isn’t one note emotionally- it’s not all about sadness or despair; there’s anger, there’s joy, there’s bravado, there’s love and lust, there’s the whole range of human expression. What is unique about the blues lyrically is that it tells the truth. There is no idealism in the blues, and there are no easy answers, no tears that are easily dried, just the simple and hard truths of hard lives.

Likewise, our prophet Jeremiah felt the struggles of his people not from a distance but in a deeply personal way. I believe that he would have fit in nicely in the Mississippi Delta. Known as the weeping prophet, his words have provided voice for many who are suffering from pain, just as the words of BB King or Aretha Franklin have in our time.

Jeremiah said, “My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick.” BB King sang, “The Thrill is gone, the Thrill is gone for good.”

Jeremiah said, “Listen! The cry of the daughter of my people from far and wide in the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” Robert Johnson sang, “Lord, I feel like blowing my old lonesome horn Got up this morning, my little Bernice was gone Lord, I feel like blowing my lonesome horn Well I got up this morning all I had was gone”

The Prophet, telling the truth, weeping over what has been lost, that Jerusalem has been defeated, her treasures raided, her temple torn down and her children exiled.

The Blues Singer, singing the truth, that their beloved is gone, left like a thief in the middle of the night. The thrill is gone, and the world is lonesome. All I had is gone.

The blues and the prophets like our Jeremiah, and our Jesus, are at times raw and real. Indeed, one of the hardest things for us to hear both in the blues and from the prophets- both ancient and modern- is that it might already be too late; Bernice is already gone, the harvest is past and the summer is ended, climate change is not a distant issue for the future, but a present lived reality.

The system has failed us. The famous balm of Gilead is noted mostly for its absence. There is no easy way out.

Thus we should not mistake vulnerability for stupidity. The truth is never foolish. Robert Johnson and Aretha Franklin knew exactly what they were doing. Jeremiah is not an idiot. Jesus is no dummy. Our gospel reading today reminds us that we are called to be discerning, to work the system- albeit to ends that the system might not reward. But even so, often those systems will fail us; our plans fall by the wayside. Sometimes there is little left for us to do but sing the blues.

But for a moment let us take a step back and learn a little more about our readings. Jeremiah was not actually a bullfrog, he was a Hebrew prophet that lived in the 7thth ish century BC in Jerusalem. He originally rejected being a prophet as he said he was too young, but as happens in the Bible, when he started complaining about it, God put the words in his mouth and sent him on his way.

The kingdom of Judah was in a precarious position at this point. Although King Josiah was vigorous and reform minded, doing good work reforming the operations of the temple and the state, he had just been killed in battle, and King Jehoiakim came to rule. He was no King Josiah; he undermined his predecessor’s reforms, and corruption abounded. The people of God were not in a good place, and Jeremiah saw that it would not get better.

Jeremiah is especially upset about the abrogation of the temple’s responsibilities; the temple was supposed to mediate between God and the people of God, atoning collectively for the sins of the people through ritual sacrifices and other good works.

Yet the men in charge of the temple preferred to preach about the easy lies instead of the hard truths. Healing becomes impossible when sins are not acknowledged, and they would not be able to find a balm in Gilead because there would not seek it. The temple authorities ignored their past and, refused to discern good from evil in the present, and ignored the future of the people in their care.

But this does not mean we are called to give up on our systems, our ways of doing things; indeed, how we engage with them is vitally important, as our gospel reading suggests.

This parable, often called the parable of the shrewd or dishonest manager, is one of the most widely debated parables of Jesus.

In the story, there’s a manager of an estate, a farm, a plantation, and he’s been made aware that once the owner’s coming back, he’s not going to have a job anymore. The manager says, basically, well, that’s no good- I’m too old to go back to digging ditches, and too proud to be a beggar, so to get a new job, I need to make folks like me.

There’s a concept in the business world you may have heard of: OPM- Other People’s Money; resources that aren’t ours personally. People tend to be a little more free and loose with those than their own. This manager certainly is. He starts making deals with people over their debt with his boss. When the boss comes back, he doesn’t punish the man; his attitude seems to be more of the “Don’t hate the player, hate the game” type.

People have often wondered who is who in this story metaphorically- is God the boss and Jesus the manager? Or are we supposed to be the manager?

I believe our translation today- the First Nations Indigenous American translation does a good job of getting us to the heart of the parable’s meaning; what is the meaning of success? Is there a way to interact with the system- especially the systems of wealth and money, that serve the Kingdom of God?

The shrewdness that Jesus alludes to is not about accumulating the most wealth; I made that mistake when reading it, so conditioned am I to looking for getting the most as shrewdness. What Jesus calls shrewd is the ability to give away as much as possible. He reminds us that there’s not much use for wealth beyond a certain amount other than to get more of it. This is especially true in the long run; we can’t take it with us.

Jesus prods us into asking the question: What if instead of us serving our wealth, our wealth served others. Help each other out, especially the poor and outcast, Jesus says; that way if you’re ever in need, they’ll help you out too.

Many of the concerns Jesus had were the same ones that Jeremiah had: How do we determine what can be healed and what is beyond repair? When are we called to work the system, and when is it too late? Is the system beyond repair? If so, what’s next? What should normal people do in the middle of this slow rolling disaster? When are we called to shrewdness, toward using wealth for giving it away? What about when is all we can do is sing the blues?

To sing the blues is not to give up; it is not to give up hope or fall into despair; it is to bare the soul to God and our fellow humans in a way that calls attention to the pain in the world. It is a recognition that the end has come and gone already. Yet the Good News is the singer is still here, and because of that, even through the tragedy and pain, God is still here. What more do we really need?

As we enter a moment of silent prayer and meditation, I invite to consider: when have we worked the system and made things better? When was a time that all we could do is sing the blues?

Worshipping at Home, July 25-26, 2020

(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “One More Thing…”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: God of new beginnings, you wipe away our tears and call us to care for one another. Give us eyes to see your gifts, hearts to embrace all creation, and hands to serve you every day of our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Be Thou My Vision

Contemporary: Open the Eyes of My Heart

Confess: Loving Father, we confess that sometimes we think we can do things all by ourselves and sometimes we are worried about things. We forget that you give us everything we have and that you make us who we are. Please forgive us for thinking about ourselves first. Please forgive us for not trusting you to take care of us. Thank you for always loving us even when we forget that we need you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: God the Creator brings us new life, forgives and redeems us. Take hold of this forgiveness, and live your life in the Spirit of Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

Read God’s Word: Psalm 119: 129-136 (New Revised Standard Version)

Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.

Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

Read God’s Word: Romans 8:26-39 (New Revised Standard Edition)

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Watch the Sermon: “One More Thing…”

Think or Discuss: What was your favorite memory of our time together?

Do: Come by the church and visit me on Sunday from 11-1! Wave goodbye or stop by for a visit.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Blessed Assurance

Contemporary:  Gathered, Scattered

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, July 18-19, 2020

 (Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Christmas in July”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: Glory to you, almighty God, for you sent your only-begotten Son, that we might have new life. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for you became flesh and lived among us that we might become your people. Glory to you, Holy Spirit, for you direct and rule our lives.  Glory to you, almighty God, and to your Son, Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Sing Along: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Confess: God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord.  

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

By Special Request: Mary, Did You Know

By Special Request: Joseph’s Song

Be Assured: Hear these words of comfort from the Prophet Isaiah: Hear the promise of the Lord:  See, your salvation has come! You are a holy people, redeemed by God; sought out and not forsaken. In the Name of Jesus Christ, We Are Forgiven.

Read God’s Word: Luke 2: 1-20 (New Revised Standard Edition)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sing Along: Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Watch the Sermon:  Christmas in July

By Special Request: The Birthday of a King

Think or Discuss: What continues to astound you about the Christmas Story or Christianity? When has something routine become remarkable in your life?

Do: Now that we’ve celebrated Christmas in worship, it’s time to do some of the other wonderful things we associate with Christmas time: spend time with family, give gifts freely without expectation, sing loudly in the car to your favorite songs.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing Along:  Silent Night

Behold! John 1: 1-5 (New Revised Standard Edition)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Sing Along: Joy to the World

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, July 11-12, 2020

 (Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Freedom”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: God, our Rock, our refuge, our resting place, we come to you. Out of another busy week of work, out of our struggles to be meaningful in our world, out of our desire to meet you and know you as the center of our being, we come to you, O unmovable Rock of our security. Amen

Sing or Listen: Traditional: It is Well with My Soul

Contemporary: Forever

Confess: Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: Hear these words of Comfort from Paul’s letter to the Romans: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

Read God’s Word: Psalm 119:105-112 (New Revised Standard Version)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances.

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.

I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.

Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Read God’s Word: Romans 8:1-11 (New Revised Standard Edition)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Watch the Sermon:  “Freedom”

Think or Discuss: What does freedom mean? What does it mean to be set free from something?

Do: Next week, we are celebrating Christmas in July.  If it’s not too hard, get out your nativity scene and decorate at least a small corner of your house.  Rejoice, for Christ is with us.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Abide with Me

Contemporary:  Lord, I Need You

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, July 4-5, 2020

(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Bless Her Heart”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray:          God of the covenant, in our baptism you called us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us courage like you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ our redeemer, who lives and reigns with you  in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional:  Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Contemporary: I Give You My Heart

Confess:  Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas.  The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,  in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

People of God, all of us together have received God’s mercy in Christ. In Christ we are forgiven, redeemed, and made to be a community united in faith. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Read God’s Word: Psalm 145: 8-14 (New Revised Standard Version)

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.

The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

Read God’s Word: Romans 7:15-25 (New Revised Standard Edition)

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Watch the Sermon:  “Bless Her Heart”

Think or Discuss: When have you felt God do good things in your life despite your best efforts?

Do: Write down or think about some of the habits you wish to break, your worst impulses, and brainstorm some ideas that can help stop them as the desire to do them escalates.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Contemporary:  This is Amazing Grace

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, June 27-28, 2020

 (Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Gotta Serve Somebody”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: We praise you for creating this world in all beauty, for redeeming the world through Christ, our Lord, and for sending us the gift of your Spirit to encourage, instruct, and sustain us. We long for your Spirit to work among us now, to inspire our praise, to challenge us with your truth, and to equip us for service in your world. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Will You Come and Follow Me?

Contemporary: Blessed Be Your Name

Confess: Eternal and merciful God, you have loved us with a love beyond our understanding, and you have set us on paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Yet we have strayed from your way; we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, through what we have done and what we have left undone. As we remember the lavish gift of your grace symbolized in baptism, O God, we praise you and give you thanks that you forgive us yet again. Grant us now, we pray, the grace to die daily to sin, and to rise daily to new life in Christ, who lives and reigns with you, and in whose strong name we pray. Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God I say, in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven. Amen.

Read God’s Word: Psalm 13 (New Revised Standard Version)

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;  my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Read God’s Word: Romans 6:12-23 (New Revised Standard Edition)

Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Watch the Sermon:  “Gotta Serve Somebody”

Think or Discuss: Other than Jesus Christ, what forces or people have tried to claim dominion or mastery over you? Did you resist them?

Do: Take some time to do some reading or research on Anti-Slavery efforts, both historically and modern, and Christianity’s role in them.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Amazing Grace

Contemporary:  I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, June 20-21, 2020

 (Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Leaving the Dust Behind”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray:          O God, light of the hearts that know you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you: to turn from you is to fall, to turn to you is to rise, and to abide in you is to stand fast forever.  Although we are unworthy to approach you, or to ask anything of you, grant us your grace and blessing for the sake of Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

Contemporary: Unbroken Praise

Confess:  Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and we have refused to hear the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: Our righteousness is found in Christ alone, a gift of God by faith. Beloved people of God, believe the good news: through the grace of Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Read God’s Word: Psalm 69: 7-18 (New Revised Standard Version)

It is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face.

I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s children.

It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

When I humbled my soul with fasting, they insulted me for doing so.

When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.

I am the subject of gossip for those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.

At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.

With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.

Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.

Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies.

Read God’s Word: Romans 6:1-11 (New Revised Standard Edition)

What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Watch the Sermon: Leaving the Dust Behind

Think or Discuss: Think of a time when you failed, either yourself, God, or someone else. Did you do better the next time?

Do:  Try something that is difficult enough that you have a reasonable chance of failure. If you fail, learn from it, do better, and try again.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Contemporary:  One Voice

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worshipping at Home, June 13-14, 2020

 (Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Secular Religions”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you, eyes to behold you, ears to listen for your Word, a heart to love you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional: When In Our Music, God is Glorified

Contemporary: Here I Am to Worship

Confess:  God of grace, love, and communion, we confess that we have failed to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We ignore your commandments, stray from your way, and follow other gods. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sin and raise us to new life that we may serve you faithfully and give honor to your holy name.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: Here these words of comfort from the Gospel of John: God did not send the Son to condemn the world,  but in order that the world might be saved through him. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen. 

Read God’s Word: Psalm 100 (New Revised Standard Version)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

    Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.

    It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generation.

Read God’s Word: Romans 5:1-8 (New Revised Standard Edition)

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Watch the Sermon: Secular Religions

Think or Discuss: What else do we worship? What Orthodoxies (right teachings) must we accept for these secular religions? What demands do they place on us?

Do: Devote 5 minutes to pure praise of God. Put on a favorite song, dance if you want to, and remember that you are a sheep in God’s pasture.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Blessed Assurance

Contemporary: The Heart of Worship

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

Worship from Home Palm Sunday

(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Parade of Hope”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ, who entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be signs of his victory, and grant that we who carry them may follow him in the way of the cross, that, dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional: All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Contemporary:  Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Confess: Loving God, you rode a donkey and came in peace, humbled yourself and gave yourself for us. We confess our lack of humility. As you entered Jerusalem, the crowds shouted “Hosanna: ‘Save us now!’” On Good Friday they shouted “Crucify!” We confess our praise is often empty. We sing “Hosanna,” but cry “Crucify.” As the crowd laid their palms in front of you, you took no glory for yourself. We confess that we want to be accepted and take the easy way. We do not stay true to your will. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to follow in the way of obedience. Amen.

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: Hear the Word of the Lord from Psalm 118: Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. In Christ, God answers us and sets us free! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen.

Read God’s Word:

Psalm 102:12-17 (New Revised Standard Edition)

Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!  O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

We bless you from the house of the Lord.

The Lord is God,

    and he has given us light.

Bind the festal procession with branches,

    up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

    you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Mark 11:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!

    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

    Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Listen to the SermonParade of Hope

Think or Discuss: What’s your best memory of a parade, processional, or street festival? What was meaningful about it? Who did you honor? Was it a big crowd? How did it feel to be a part of such a crowd?

Do: Gather up some greenery and have your own mini Palm Sunday Parade! Walk safely around the house or neighborhood with your palms, and sing some of your favorite songs.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional: Rejoice ye Pure in Heart

Contemporary: Heal Our Land

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

After Worship, Our Service begins…

Serve: (Safely) Many folks have taken to making noise and celebrating at 8PM outside on their porches to honor healthcare workers and other essential workers. Many hospitals and organizations need our help and donations in other ways.  Reach out to a local hospital, healthcare facility, homeless shelter, or nursing home to find out if there’s other ways to donate or help out.

Worship From Home Week 3

This worship guide is also available in .PDF form here: https://revmontoya.faith/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Worship-from-Home-week-3-.pdf

(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos.  Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Birth Pangs”)

All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)

Pray: God of Israel, with expectant hearts we your people await Christ’s coming. As once he came in humility, so now may he come in glory, that he may make all things perfect in your everlasting kingdom. For he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Sing or Listen: Traditional:  The Church’s One Foundation

Contemporary:  Lord, I Need You

Confess: O God, our great shepherd, you tenderly gather us as lambs, carrying us with your all-embracing love. Yet, like sheep, we wander from you: following our own ways, ignoring your voice, distrusting your provisions. Forgive our stubborn rebellion, our hardened hearts, our lack of trust. Refresh us once again by your quiet waters of mercy and restore our souls by your redeeming love. Guide our paths, that we might follow you more closely. Through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, we pray. Amen

Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute. 

Be Assured: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Read God’s Word:

Psalm 102:12-17 (New Revised Standard Edition)

But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.

For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.

The nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

For the Lord will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.

Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 (New Revised Standard Version)

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Listen to the Sermon“Birth Pangs”

Think or Discuss: Think back to a painful transition that led to a new way, a new path in the world. How did (or do) you hold that pain alongside the new things that were born out of it?

Do: Start a new tradition, hopefully that (safely) fills your soul and brings together your family, neighbors, and community.

Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.

Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)

Sing or Listen: Traditional:  A Mighty Fortress

Contemporary: Days of Elijah

Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.

After Worship, Our Service begins…

Serve: (Safely) Have conversations with loved ones about pain and grief; this is not only about death, but about missed opportunities, lost jobs, canceled or rescheduled weddings, vacations, graduations.  That grief is real and is worthy of conversation and prayer.