Worship for January 10, 2021
We’re worshipping safely on Zoom this week and for the foreseeable future. 

Be safe and at ease, Shadow Rockers. And, stay tuned.
Reflection
blue_star.jpg
From Desert Mother Amma Theodora
“Let us strive to enter by the narrow gate. Just as the trees if they have not stood before the winter’s storms cannot bear fruit, so it is with us; this present age is a storm and it is only through many trials that we can obtain our inheritance in God’s Kingdom.”

Breath Prayer for Today:
Breathing In: May I be a strong tree
Breathing Out: and trust that my strength will hold me.
We Covenant One With Another
Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
We live in both the church year and in the cultural calendar, so we are drawn in this time to the symbol of the new year with its opportunities. Today we're discussing childhood and school year transitions and how those experiences shaped us.

Transition Music
"Snow Village" a playlist by Chill Cloud

Worship Begins - 11:00 am

Welcome and Announcements ~ Pastor Ken
  • Electronic Recycling
  • Blood Drive
  • Small Groups
  • Tentative Date - Preschool Reopening

Call to Worship
One: We come together from our separate lives, each of us
bringing our concerns, our preoccupations, our hopes,
and our dreams.
All: We recognize that we are not yet fully present.
The events of the week weigh heavy on our
spirits. Our bodies hold the stress of anger,
grief, and shock. 
One: Spirit, give us the gift of settled bodies and present
minds. Let us arrive in the place where we are so that
we are able to say “Here I am.”
All: Here I am.
One: We can just be, just breathe. Nothing else is required of
us in this moment. Feel the peace and strength of this
presentness. Prepare to move forward from this
presentness.

Opening Prayer ~ Karen Richter
Perceiving and Responding
Giving and Stewardship
We are grateful for the fidelity of giving among our community. Your sharing makes our compassionate response to the world possible. Please click here for our weekly financial update, Heidi's Corner.

Celebrations, Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer
We share news of our lives, birthdays, concerns, celebrations, and moments of grace and service. Please unmute to share your celebration in the Zoom worship space or use the 'raise hand' function in the participant list.

Celebration Song
“God's Mercy” by Forrest and Carol Bachtel
Balancing Word and Deed
Word About Life for Today ~ Rev. Ken Heintzelman
Isaiah 58: 11-12
The Lord will guide you continually,
  and satisfy your needs in parched places,
  and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
  like a spring of water,
  whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
  you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
  the restorer of streets to live in.

Introduction to Breakout Rooms and Today's Discussion Questions
  • Have you had the experience of an "epiphany" as a slow dawning or a band-aid being ripped off? Share with each other those experiences.
  • Learning and practicing advanced citizenship may be part of our restoring and healing our nation. Does Shadow Rock have a part to play??

Words for Mission ~ Pastor Ken
One: This is our hope for one another: that we have heard 
something, felt something, received something in this
hour that has been restorative and nourishing. May
each of us bring that something into the world with us
this week. These are the times.
All: We are the people.
One: All of Creation is blessed.
All: May we love all and serve all.
One: May God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Amen.
All: Amen.