We held virtual worship on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 10:00am! You can watch a recording on Facebook by clicking here, or you may watch below.
Quote for Reflection:
I was riding down the road one day in Washington, D.C. after having been at a demonstration against the war in Iraq, and suddenly, out of nowhere, I started crying. And I realized that God had been with me, even when I hadn’t been with myself. And those moments made me really begin to seek to go back, to really think deeply about black folk religion and to really want to develop, in a very intentional way, an inner life that had to do with how I lived in the world.Ruby Sales
CALL TO WORSHIP
God of the past who whispered in the prophets’ ears;
who rescued us from sin’s slavery:
wherever we are, we are here.
We are here to thank you!
God of the future, who is tearing down the old world,
and building your kingdom in our midst:
wherever we are, we are here.
We are here because we trust you!
God of the present who, in the giftedness of our diversity,
creates us to be one people:
wherever we are, we are here.
We are here to praise you!
God of life that surprises us when we find it within us:
we celebrate your grace:
wherever we are, we are here.
We are here to worship!
OPENING TO GOD Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE Following the Leader Danielle Sturgeon & family
HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 49:13-16
Shout for joy, you heavens!
Exalt, you earth!
You mountains, break into happy cries!
For YHWH consoles the people
and takes pity on those who are afflicted.
But Zion said, “YHWH has abandoned me,
Adonai has forgotten me.”
Does a woman forget her own baby at the breast,
or fail to cherish the child of her womb?
Yet, even if these forget, I will never forget you.
Look and see: I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,
The time is fulfilled;
the Kin-dom of God has come near;
let your lives be changed,
trust in the good news.
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
REFLECTION Where Does It Hurt? Mitchell & Barb
MUSIC What a Friend We Have in Jesus Music & photos by Kathryn Parker
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Jill Colley-Robinson
When was the last time I sat under a tree,
my back resting on its broad trunk,
my feet firmly planted on the ground,
my eyes glimpsing the sky through the swaying wooden canopy above?
When was the last time I sat under a tree
with you, Searching, Knowing, Still-With-Me God
to be seen — really seen —
for the person you have knit me together to become?
When was the last time I sat under a tree
and lifted my outstretched arms and a prayer of ‘Here I am’ —
a prayer of listening in the stillness for the holy —
a prayer of pondering knowledge too wonderful for me?
When was the last time I sat under a tree,
startling at the sound of the approaching footsteps of the Teacher
and his voice calling each by name
to stand up and witness in words that will never fall to the ground?
At this tree, rising like a ladder between earth and heaven —
At this tree, aching like a cross in the darkening sky —
At this tree — this is where I praise you, Searching, Knowing, Still-With-Me God,
For the sake of greater things I cannot even imagine.
Here I am.
SHARING PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE This Is My Song music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
