July 4th Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Welcome & Comments about Today's Music |
| Prelude: Prelude in C Major - Selby |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration: For the Beauty of the Earth |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: Romans 12: 9-18 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection: Let There Be Peace on Earth |
| Sermon: This We Believe: We Are Children of Promise |
| Communion Hymn: One Bread, One Body |
| The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
| Hymn of Parting: My Country, 'Tis of Thee |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude: Stars and Stripes Forever - Sousa, Arr. Biggs |
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
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
This We Believe: We Trust God, the Creator
From the UCC Statement of Faith
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
[Reading above - Romans 12: 9-18]
Paul describes discipleship as being “in Christ”. He uses this description over one hundred times in his letters. Being “in Christ” is a spiritual process of sharing the death and resurrection of Christ in this life. It is symbolized by baptism, especially baptism by immersion. One is “buried” with Christ by going under the water and one is “raised” with Christ by coming up out of the water (see Romans 6:3-4). “In Christ” we are no longer ruled by disobedience but instead we receive a new life of grace, producing reconciliation and transformation (see Romans 12:1-2). This new life is characterized by grateful obedience to the way of Divine love, which is beautifully set forth in the marks of discipleship enumerated in today’s passage along with the promises articulated in today’s section of the Statement of Faith.
Questions for Reflection:
Paul experienced a life-saving and life-changing transformation in Christ. He wrote: I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:19-20). How have you come to experience newness of life in Christ?
When Paul advises against conforming to this world (Romans 12:2), he is cautioning against life separated from God and God’s values of grace, peace, justice, and righteousness. What is an area of your life, and the world God loves that is suffering from separation from God?
What mark of discipleship in today’s passage will you undertake in this new week? What will it look like to practice this mark of discipleship? At the end of the week note what difference it made in your life.
Video Recordings (Recorded Live)
