Worship for October 11, 2020
Reflection for Access Sunday
The second Sunday of October of each year is designated on the UCC church calendar as Access Sunday. Does your church celebrate it? Do you even know what it is? This is to be a day when all of the United Church of Christ is meant to join together in celebrating the contributions and gifts of persons with disabilities as well as the progress the church as a whole has made in being more accessible and inclusive. It should also be a day of recognition of the work yet to be done in order to extravagantly welcome people living with disabilities into all areas of the full life of the church. There is much work to do.
Call to Worship
Adapted from Psalm 66
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are invited here today to bless and to praise God. We will let the sound of God’s praise be heard, loud and clear, from every one of us. Somehow, despite all the pitfalls along the way, all the trials and tribulations in each of our lives, God has kept us among the living. We have been confined and burdened; we have walked through fire and water; we have been tested to the max, but now we have become true as silver. God heard me, because in my heart I cherish truth and not wickedness. God hears us all and continues to love us with a steadfast and undying love. Together let us praise God!
We Celebrate With Music and Giving
Celebrations
As October begins, we celebrate how we are able to express our values in the voting booth. It’s time to make your family’s voting plan. Shadow Rock is a voting location, and we celebrate this way we give back to the community.

This week, we also celebrate our recognition of Pastor Appreciation Week. Our community is blessed through the call of Rev. Ken Heintzelman.

If YOU have a photo, video, or written greeting for Celebrations, please email Karen. It's a blessing to continue our connections as we gather separately.

Special Music Selections
Thank you, Forrest and Carol for 'Here I Am, Lord.'

'The Prayer' by Matt and Savannah Shaw

Offering
God seeks to bind us together, 
to shape and reshape us into the church
the world so desperately needs. 
Jesus has shown us how to love one another,
without fear, without judgment. 
The Spirit empowers us to shatter stigma and
embrace all God’s people. 
With hearts filled with gratitude and grace, 
let us give as generously as we have been blessed.

Let us use the time and talent of these gifts as we embark on a journey as we begin to explore how we can create a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and engaging place for all of God’s differently-abled and beloved children. Amen. 

Your financial support of our community continues to be important and appreciated. The needs of our own congregation and the needs of our neighbors are growing and changing. Click here for Heidi’s Corner, our congregation's financial update, from October 4. Look for Heidi's Corner to return with updated numbers next Sunday. 

Our Online Community Via Zoom
Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
Adult Formation is a time when we can practice application of our values to our experiences! In October, our topic is Redefining Allyship. What does it mean to stand with others? How can we practice being an ally in better, deeper, more intentional ways? We'll begin today with a fun video from Amaze.Org.

Word About Life for Today - 11:00 am
"Standing In the Way" by Michael Curry,
Southwest Conference Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness

In this season, friends, we’re listening to the sermon live on Zoom right at 11:00 am. Please mute your microphone during the message. For on-the-spot tech assistance, call or text Karen at 623-466-4472.

Luke 5: 17-26 The Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Person  
One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”
 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

Fellowship and Discussion -
Immediately following the sermon, with Zoom Breakout Rooms

Here are this week's questions:
  1. Prior to the cancellation of in-person church gatherings, how W.I.S.E. and Accessible was our congregation to differently-abled members and friends?
  2. Consider how W.I.S.E. and Accessible Our Still Speaking God and the church has been to our differently-abled members and friends as Shadow Rock begins to explore what it means to be a “Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaging" Congregation for Mental Health and Wellness in a new and different light.
  3. As we live into the idea of a “new familiar,” how are we being called to “Be the Church” that is both W.I.S.E. and Accessible to ALL people especially those with different abilities in the aftermath of this pandemic?  
Announcements and Reminders
Your church staff continues to work both remotely and at the church office. The church office is open with limited staff presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. We want to keep one another safe and show our love for one another - in that loving spirit, masks that cover nose and mouth are required for staff and visitors.

Shadow Rock leadership continues to discuss dates and best practices for in-person experiences. We will continue to offer virtual worship throughout the fall. This is an ongoing conversation. Please contact Pastor Ken via email if you have questions.

Please check your email (Rock the Week on Wednesdays and this announcement space on Sundays) for updates and news about our community. 

Please reach out to the staff or any board member if you need help (including food, financial assistance or medication). You can always call the church office phone (602)993-0050 for instructions on how to connect with Pastor Ken, Lois, or preschool Director Liz Curry.