June 27th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez, Jenna Crafts
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: God Calls
The United Church of Christ Statement of Faith
You call us into your church, To accept the cost and joy of discipleship, To be your servants in the service of others, To proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, To share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, To join him in his passion and victory.
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.
[Reading above - Romans 8: 26-30]
ABOUT THE CLOSING HYMN
Washington Gladden, a pioneer of the “social gospel” along with Walter Rauschenbusch, wrote “O Master, let me walk with thee” during his pastorate at what is now First Congregational UCC, Columbus, OH. His social justice advocacy deeply marked the life and ministry of the congregation. A beautiful Washington Gladden Social Justice Park has been constructed beside the church. Note that contemporary versions of the hymn substitute “Savior” for “Master” to avoid reference to male dominance and reflections of slave/master relationships.
Questions for Reflection:
What do you make of Paul’s assertion that 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. Are some chosen and others not? The Statement of Faith declares “God calls us….” In the sense of an invitation. How then are we to understand the implications that we have a choice, alongside Paul’s notion of “predestination?”
The Apostle Paul claims “God works with those who love God… and turns everything to their good…” What does that mean about those who suffer, who are disadvantaged, who live with daily fears they may be killed, who have historically been considered less than fully human?
What in your experience are the costs and joys of discipleship today?