April 28st Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Prelude |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: John 15:1-5 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Blessings of Being in Community |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Blessings of Being in Community
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes[a] to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed[b] by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
[Reading above - John 15:1-5]
The theme of resistance to Jesus in the second chapter of Mark continues in this week’s passage. In the opening story of the chapter Jesus is questioned about his authority to forgive sins. In the next story Jesus welcomes a tax collector as a disciple and is criticized for the company he keeps. In this week’s story the issue is Jesus’ religious practice, which strikes some as unorthodox. Jesus does not counter the point, he embraces the truth that his way invites new ideas that refresh ancient traditions.
Questions for Reflection:
How do you feel knowing that Jesus calls God the Vinegrower, himself the Vine, and his followers the branches?
What difference does this make in your life as you experience challenges or as you consider your hopes and dreams?
Perhaps you’d like to go outside or look outside or look at a picture of branches (coming off of a vine if you have some or can find a picture or some or coming off of a tree if you don’t have any vines nearby). Maybe you’d like to take in some deep breaths and sit with the imagery in front of you as you rest in silence, read the text from John out loud, or as you hum a favorite tune. As you return to whatever is next, is there anything from this experience that you’d like to carry with you?
Maybe sometime this week you’d like to doodle, sketch, or mold a vine and branches? How would you portray a loving, compassion, merciful Vinegrower?
A prayer for you:
Loving Vinegrower, Giver of Life, Master Gardener, thank you for being You! Thank you for the peace that suprasses all understanding - a peace that can be found in abiding with you. Thank you for growing us together in relationship with you - Creator, Leader, Comforter- and with all your beloved children and creations. May the reader or hearer of this prayer know how precious they are to You. Amen.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice.
Use the journal as a way to:
1. jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
2. respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
3. make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
4. create a to-do list of discipleship actions
5. list questions you want to explore
6. write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
