July 2th 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: Matthew 10:40-42 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection: |
| Sermon: Holy Welcome |
| Communion Hymn |
| The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
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:
Holy Welcome
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.
[Reading Above - Matthew 10: 40-42]
The instructions for mission that Jesus gives his disciples, who are like sheep in the midst of wolves (Mathew 10:16), concludes with an affirmation. Welcome and hospitality extended by and to disciples brings a unifying connection with Christ and through Christ to God. Further, the expected divine reward for welcoming a righteous person or a prophet (persons of high status) is also extended to the little ones, those of low status. Despite the adversity and hardship that disciples face for following Jesus’ way of grace and peace, we continue to focus on the gentle kindness characterized by giving the thirsty a cold cup of water.
Questions for Reflection:
In verse 42, the little ones can be translated to mean those who are vulnerable. Who are the vulnerable in our community? In what ways do you serve the vulnerable? In what ways do you feel vulnerable? How do you need to be served? Unity in Christ through hospitality suggests that we are called to represent Christ to the stranger and to encounter Christ in the stranger. How does this teaching change your perspective when you meet someone for the first time? Read Mathew 25:31-40. How is today’s passage connected to this one?
A Spiritual Practice to Try:
Hospitality is a way to be mindful of the Divine Presence in our relationships with others. Pay attention to the way God receives your daily greetings and acts of courtesy and welcome in and to others. Might opening a door for someone in a wheelchair, warmly welcoming someone new to worship, offering a cool cup of water to a delivery person who is hot and tired, paying for the meal of someone behind you in the drive-thru line, or a hundred other simple acts of kindness become sacred moments?
A Practice to Focus on 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.
