Worship for February 14, 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
From Mirabai Starr

Two things are guaranteed to hook you up with the God of Love: sorrowing and rejoicing. You do not need to go searching for either; they are written into the architecture of human existence.

Breath Prayer for Today:
Breathing In, love is revealed to me.
Breathing Out, the reason is love.
We Covenant One With Another
Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
It's the last Sunday before Lent begins! We have one more week of quick writing and sharing with Three Things.
  • 3 Things I Am Curious About
  • 3 Things I Know For Sure
  • 3 Things I Long For

Transition Music
Nina Simone - "Here Comes the Sun"

Worship Begins - 11:00 am

Welcome and Announcements ~ Pastor Ken
  • Information about AARP tax preparation assistance is available, and appointments begin soon! To schedule, call or click: visit aarptaxaidebeuf.setmore.com or call 480-463-4912 / 623-252-1567 

Call to Worship
One:  Gathering at this sacred time, we anticipate new wonders and new opportunities for compassion each week. 
All:  Wherever two or three are gathered to worship, a holy spirit is present.   
One:  Open our eyes to witness the fantastic love and wondrous joy waiting to be revealed, even this day, even in this place.
All:  We will want to linger and stay connected, but when we leave today, may our hearts be open to giving, service, and justice in the midst of the wonders of God’s beautiful world.

Opening Prayer ~ Karen Richter
Perceiving and Responding
Giving and Stewardship
We strive to respond faithfully to the needs of our community. Your compassionate response, week by week, makes Shadow Rock's ministries possible. You can find our weekly financial update, affectionately known as Heidi's Corner, at this link.

Lent, a season of preparation and renewal, begins February 17. Our Lenten offering is RIP Medical Debt, a campaign to free people from the burdens of a flawed system. On the Shadow Rock giving page, you can participate in this special offering. Your gift goes a long way! Each $1 cancels $100 of debt.

Celebrations and Prayer Requests
We share news of our lives, birthdays, concerns, celebrations, and moments of grace and service. Please unmute to share your celebration or "drop it" in the Zoom chat box! Continuing our culture of celebration in the midst of uncertainty is sometimes a chaotic part of our time together, but it is also a blessing.

Pastoral Prayer ~ Pastor Ken

Special Music
“They Asked, 'Who Is My Neighbor'” shared by Forrest and Carol Bachtel
Balancing Word and Deed
Word About Life for Today ~ Rev. Ken Heintzelman
Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
 
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Introduction to Breakout Rooms and Discussion
  • What word or phrase sticks in your mind from this parable? For this first question, try to answer with only a word or phrase. 
  • What emotions did you experience during the scripture reading or the sermon? Try to answer with feeling words.
  • Was there anything about this parable that was fresh or with new meaning for you today?

Words for Mission
One: May the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” shine into our own hearts, giving us light to bear to the world that all may know God’s love. 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.