July 16th 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: Mathew 13:1-9 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Sowing Seeds |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
If you wish to see more information about giving or to checkout our new Online Giving process, visit our GIVING page.
Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Sowing Seeds
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
[Reading above - Mathew 13:1-9]
Last Sunday we noticed in Mathew 11, Jesus’ frustration that many were receiving his healing acts of grace but failing to respond gratefully by turning to God for transformation into loved and loving children of the Divine. Mathew 12 continues this theme as other religious teachers and Jesus’ own family fail to accept Jesus’ way. The parables in Mathew 13 are offered in response to these harsh realities. One side note: remember Mathew’s emphasis of presenting Jesus in the tradition of Moses. Mathew 13 is the third of five teaching discourses of Jesus. These five discourses mimic the five books of instruction, the Torah, that Moses received from God for God’s people. The third discourse begins with another parable using symbols from agricultural, in this case a farmer who is casting seed. Some of the seed falls in places where it is unable to grow to harvest, like along the path or in rocky or weedy soil. And yet some seed falls on fertile soil where it produces a remarkable harvest. Might Jesus be reminding himself and his disciples that the Creator is the one who provides the growth that leads to an abundant harvest? Ours is to cast the seed with joy and extravagance, far and wide.
Questions for Reflection:
What are ways you can enrich the soil of your life in order to receive the good news of Jesus in a way that leads to being transformed into a loved and loving child of God?
The parable is bracketed by Jesus with commands to listen. How can you tune out the loud and divisive voices of our society, and instead listen more carefully for the still, small voice of Christ that produces grace and peace?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Get your hands into the soil and help to take care of your little corner of creation. Would you like to help with the community garden at Friedens that provides fresh veggies for a local food pantry? Would you like to grow flowers to support the vital role of pollinators? Would you like to lend a hand at Hunger Inc or help with Weekenders to ensure neighbors who know food insecurity get enough to eat? Thoughful actions from many kind disciples can make a big difference.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
