Tag Archives: family

Celebration, Community Activity, Prayer

Valley Days I Am Celebration

Valley Days I Am Celebration for the Community. 

Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists performing hymns of traditional foundation. 

Everyone is Welcome!  

Valley Days I Am Worship Celebration
Valley Days I Am Worship Celebration

Introduction:  

We see and hear the first “I am” statement from Jesus’ teachings in John’s gospel message today. I am the manna. I am the bread of life. God has provided His people manna, bread from heaven, just as Jesus fed 5000 with the loaves of bread. John wants to bring his message to us to trust in Jesus. 

In our reading from 1 Kings today, Elijah finds himself in the wilderness, crying out to the Lord to come take his life. Have we felt like this ever in our own lives? Chances are we may have felt so oppressed, in pain, or even consider ourselves so complete, that we cry out to the Lord, come take me. Would not eternal rest best anything we may experience here on God’s planet Earth? Of course our compassionate Lord sends angels to Elijah. May the Lord bless us all! 

The reading from the prophet Samuel today takes us into David’s life of violent experiences. David must come to grips with a son, Absolom, who threatens David’s life on the throne. David grieves the death of his son as only a father can. We can liken this to our Father God loving us unconditionally, even though we continue to sin. Although David could not restore Absolom, we trust that our Father God, can and will restore us when we turn back to Him in His forgiveness for our sins. 

In Psalm 34 David brings us a testimony, a life story, events in David’s life that formed his character. David needed the Lord to provide him with life or his life as he knew it would be snuffed out. As God delivered David, we must have faith God will deliver us. 

As Paul spoke to the Ephesians in today’s reading, he also speaks to us. In speaking to our neighbors, demonstrate love and concern. 

So much message! 

I Am
I Am

 

Rescue Me Lord 

Shipwrecked VBS 

Scripture: 

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33. 

(1 Kings 19:4-8). 

Psalm 34:1-8. 

New Testament: Ephesians 4:25-5:2. 

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51. 

Prayer: O God, sustain us in the complexity of our humanity as you sustained David, playing the harp of youth, throwing stones at giant problems, loving our friends beyond wisdom, dancing worship, mourning children, breaking our hearts in psalms, and longing for warmth in our old bones. Amen. 

Where Charity and Love Prevail

Omar Westendorf (1961). 

Jesuit Singers 

Prayer Intentions: 

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world. 

Prayers of the People, 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.  

Apostles Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). 

Our Father 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord).  (Matthew 6:9-13). 

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Handshake of Peace 

Confession 

The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Communion Hymn

I Am

Crowder 

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  – Matthew 26:26-28(ESV). 

Communion

Prayer: Bread of heaven, you feed us in the depths of grief, sin, and hostility. Nourish us with your word through the long hours of tears, and in the dawning awareness of our need for forgiveness, so that we may be redeemed by your steadfast love. Amen. 

Closing Hymn. 

Alleluia Sing to Jesus 

Chatterton Dix 1866). 

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26. 

The Service has ended. Go in Peace. 

Thanks be to God.  

Celebration, Community Activity, Prayer

Calm the Storm Celebration

Calm the Storm Celebration 

 for the Community. 

Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists 

 performing hymns of traditional foundation. 

Everyone is Welcome!  

Jesus Will Calm the Raging Storm
Jesus Will Calm the Raging Storm

Introduction:  

Does Jesus care? Calm the Raging Storm. 

In today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark, Can you imagine what it is like to be tossed around while on a boat in the sea in a storm at night? This is a frightening thought! Would this be more or less disruptive than being admonished by Jesus for lacking faith while He stands and commands the sea to be still? 

If you love and trust in Jesus, He will calm the torment in your soul and life. Give this a try. Do practice this at home. Let Us Gather to Ask Jesus to Calm Our Raging Storms. 

Job is a classic Old Testament Faith in God tester. In a show of God-like strength, God returns Job’s volley with an appropriate series of questions putting Job in his place. 

David opens Psalm 107 with a community hymn of praise; O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Then we see a pattern in the following examples of Gods goodness; distress, prayer, delivery and thanks. It appears a lot like what we experience in day to day life. Praise God for we are redeemed. 

Paul speaks freely to the Corinthians and to us in this reading today. Are we able to both speak together with one another and say tough things? As your pastor, I genuinely pray that we may. 

Opening Hymn 

Here I am to Worship 

Hillsong 

Scripture: 

Old Testament: Job 38:1-11. 

Psalm: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32. 

New Testament: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. 

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41. 

Prayer:

Your hand is upon your people, O God, to guide and protect them through the ages. Keep in your service those you have called and anointed, that the powers of this world may not overwhelm us,

but that, secure in your love, we may carry out your will in the face of all adversity. Amen. 

Redeemed : to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something);  or gain possession of (something) in exchange for payment. 

Harriet Jones 

Redeemed  

Big Daddy Weave 

Prayer Intentions: 

Friends in Christ,

God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world. 

Prayers of the People, 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen. 

Apostles Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). 

Our Father 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord).  (Matthew 6:9-13). 

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Handshake of Peace 

Confession 

The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Communion Hymn 

Just As I Am 

Travis Cottrell 

 

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  – Matthew 26:26-28(ESV). 

Communion

Prayer: 

Keeper of our lives, you know the hardness and gentleness of human hearts. You call your people to faithful living. Through the storms of life

that bring suffering and fear, joy and laughter,

teach us to turn to you for all we need, so that we may come to know your presence even in the midst of the trials that surround us. Amen. 

Closing Hymn 

O My Soul Arise 

Sovereign Grace 

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26. 

The Service has ended. Go in Peace. 

Thanks be to God.  

C.R., Devotion, Hurts Habits Hangups™, Prayer, Reflection, Spirit on the A's

Belonging

Belonging 

The Lord who made you and helps you says: “Do not be afraid, my chosen one.” Isaiah 44:2. 

Isaiah 44:1–5; Esther 9–10; Acts 7:1–21

I had been out late the night before, just as I was every Saturday night. Just twenty years old, I was running from God as fast as I could. But suddenly, strangely, I felt compelled to attend the church my dad pastored. I put on my faded jeans, well-worn T-shirt, and unlaced high-tops and drove across town.

I do not recall the sermon Dad preached that day, but I can not forget how delighted he was to see me. With his arm over my shoulder, he introduced me to everyone he saw. “This is my son!” he proudly declared. His joy became a picture of God’s love that has stuck with me all these decades.

You Belong Here
You Belong Here

The imagery of God as loving Father occurs throughout the Bible. In Isaiah 44, the prophet interrupts a series of warnings to proclaim God’s message of family love. “Dear Israel, my chosen one,” he said. “I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children” (vv. 2–3 nlt). Isaiah noted how the response of those descendants would demonstrate family pride. “Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord,’” he wrote. “Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands” (v. 5 nlt).

Wayward Israel belonged to God, just as I belonged to my adoptive father. Nothing I could do would ever make him lose his love for me. He gave me a glimpse of our heavenly Father’s love for us. – Tim Gustafson. Daily Bread. 

Heavenly Father, we all come from families that are broken in one way or another. Thank You for loving us in that brokenness and for showing us what real love looks like.

God’s love for us offers us the sense of belonging and identity we all crave.

We Belong 

David Lowen 

Pat Benatar 

We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder 

We belong to the sound of the words we’ve both fallen under 

Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better 

We belong, we belong, we belong together…

Devotion, Prayer, Reflection

Perfect Father

Perfect Father 

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Psalm 27:10

I Love You, Dad
I Love You, Dad

God, the Perfect Father, will never let us down, leave us, or stop loving us. Psalm 27. 2 Chronicles 32–33. John 18:19–40. 

Standing in the crowded store aisle, I struggled to find the perfect Father’s Day card. Although we had reconciled after years of a strained connection, I never did feel close to my dad. 

The woman next to me groaned and shoved the card she was reading back into the display. “Why can’t they make cards for people who do not have good relationships with their fathers, but are trying to do the right thing?”

She stormed off before I could respond, so I prayed for her. Thanking God for affirming only He could be a perfect Father, I asked Him to strengthen my relationship with my dad.

I long for deeper intimacy with my heavenly Father too. I want David’s confidence in God’s constant presence, power, and protection. Psalm 27:1–6. 

When David cried out for help, he expected God’s answers. Ps. 27:7–9. Though earthly parents could reject, abandon, or neglect their children, David declared God’s unconditional acceptance. Ps. 27:10. He lived with assurance in the Lord’s goodness. Ps. 27:11–13. Like most of us, David sometimes struggled, but the Holy Spirit helped him persevere in trust and dependence on the Lord. Ps. 27:14. 

We will encounter difficult relationships on this side of eternity. But even when people fall short, fail us, or hurt us, we are still completely loved and protected by the only Perfect Father. – Xochitl Dixon. Daily Bread. 

Lord, thank You for being a Father we can always count on. 

Good Good Father 

Chris Tomlin 

You’re a good good father

It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are

And I’m loved by you

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am … 

Celebration, Prayer

Trinity Celebration

Trinity Celebration for the Community. Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists performing hymns of traditional foundation. 

Everyone is Welcome!  

Nicodemus
Nicodemus

Introduction:  

The Lord calls upon Isaiah and Isaiah shows no fear. In his vision, Isaiah experiences a visually painful act to seek forgiveness. How do we discern reality in our lives? May we draw inspiration from our visions. 

Psalm 29, the voice of the Lord, should create thunderous messages in our lives. God does love you and me. 

Today in Paul’s letter to the Romans, God adopts us as His children. We adopt one another through Christ, a relationship we have gained in being believers in Christ. 

Nicodemus, a learned Pharisee of his day, struggles with the concept of born again, as Jesus calls his spiritual theology into question. Rebirth to faith, not knowledge. We are all recipients of Gods gift. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16. We will explore these concepts further in today’s sermon. 

I anticipate and hope with all my heart that today we will be transformed, born again, and leave enthusiastic about our role in Gods kingdom! 

John 3:16.
John 3:16.

 

Here I am Lord, Dan Schutte (1981). 

Scripture: 

Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8. 

Psalm: Psalm 29. 

New Testament: Romans 8:12-17. 

Gospel: John 3:1-17. 

John 3:5.
John 3:5.

Prayer: God of delight, your Wisdom sings your Word at the crossroads where humanity and divinity meet. Invite us into your joyful being where you know and are know in each beginning, in all sustenance, in every redemption, that we may manifest your unity in the diverse ministries you entrust to us, truly reflecting your triune majesty in the faith that acts, in the hope that does not disappoint, and in the love that endures. Amen. 

 

The Lord Will Bless His People with Peace 

Responsorial Psalm 

 

Prayer Intentions: Holy, holy, holy God, in calling forth creation from the void, revealing yourself in human flesh, and pouring forth your wisdom to guide us, you manifest your concern for your whole universe. You invite us, as your people, to gather the world’s needs into our hearts and bring them before you. 

Prayers of the People; 

Holy, holy, holy God, fill us with strength and courage, with discernment and compassion, that we may be your instruments of justice and love in this world, that it may be on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen. 

Apostles Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). 

 

Our Father 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord).  (Matthew 6:9-13). 

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Handshake of Peace 

Confession 

The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Communion Hymn

Christ in Me Arise, Trevor Thomson 

 

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  – Matthew 26:26-28(ESV). 

Communion

Prayer: Holy God, the earth is full of the glory of your love. May we your children, born of the Spirit, so bear witness to your Son Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, that all the world may believe and have eternal life through the One who saves, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. 

 

Closing Hymn. 

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!, Anonymous 

 

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26. 

The Service has ended. Go in Peace. 

Thanks be to God.  

Celebration, Devotion, Prayer, Reflection

Good Shepherd Celebration

Good Shepherd Celebration for the Community. Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artist performing hymns of traditional foundation. 

Everyone is Welcome!  

Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd

Introduction: 

In the Parable of the Good Shepherd, as retold by John, Jesus is preaching to His people with a focus on the Pharisees. When Jesus starts with Very Truly I Tell You … we should take heed. As John is often quick to point out, the good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep. This is quite different from a hired hand observing his masters sheep. Jesus will be obedient to His Father. Jesus will lay down His life and die for our sins. Jesus is the model for church leadership. If we identify ourselves as in called to Ministry, are we fraught with fear yet? 

In today’s reading from Acts, we see the elders, chief priests, and scribes gathering to hear Peter and John. We find confrontation between those putting Jesus to death and the power that raised Jesus up. The confrontation is still on. Jesus is the stone that was rejected by the builders, it has become the cornerstone. We know the power of the Lord surpasses all that may attempt to defeat it. 

In Psalm 23, David proclaims the Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.   Of course it is easy to imagine Jesus as Shepherd. Let us, as David, pause to consider ourselves in the role as Shepherd, seeking strength from God while pursuing His command to love one another, despite the difficulties we sometimes face doing so, and then continuing to return to Jesus no matter when or what we are dealing with. 

Today’s Letter of John urges us to identify as, and practice being, children of God. 

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. Edward Mote (1834). 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. 

Scripture: 

Old Testament: Acts 4:5-12. 

Psalm: Psalm 23. 

New Testament: 1 John 3:16-24. 

Gospel: John 10:11-18. 

 

Prayer: Mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, you stand among us in the shadows of our time. As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son, we will share in his resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be your people. Amen. 

 

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. Dorothy Thrupp. (1836). Rick Betts. 

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare: Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. 

 

Prayer Intentions: 

Dear God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbors. As his disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it. Prayers of the People; Open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within us, until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen. 

Apostles Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). 

Our Father 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord).  (Matthew 6:9-13). 

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Handshake of Peace 

Confession 

The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Communion Hymn

Holy Spirit, Come to Us, Kindle in Us the Fire of Your Love. Taize Community 

 

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  – Matthew 26:26-28(ESV). 

Communion

Prayer: Shepherd of all, by laying down your life for your flock you reveal your love for all. Lead us from the place of death to the place of abundant life, that guided by your care for us, we may rightly offer our lives in love for you and our neighbors. Amen. 

Closing Hymn. 

God be with You Till We Meet Again. Jeremiah Rankin (1880). Antrim Mennonite Choir. 

God be with you till we meet again, By His counsels guide, uphold you, With His sheep securely fold you, God be with you till we meet again. Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet; Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again. 

 

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26. 

The Service has ended. Go in Peace. 

Thanks be to God.