Worship for February 21, 2021 |
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We’re worshipping safely on Zoom this week and for the foreseeable future.
Be safe and at ease, Shadow Rockers. And, stay tuned.
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“Prayer for the World” adapted from 50 Ways to Pray by Teresa Blythe
- Seated comfortably, begin by noticing your breath at its natural pace.
- As you rest in the presence of the Spirit, ask for focus and ease during your reflection.
- First, visualize where you live. What are some concerns you have at home? Visualize the people you live with, if you live with others. Ask God to show you how to be more receptive and gentle at home.
- Next visualize where you work. See your coworkers and colleagues. What issues or concerns are foremost in your mind at work? Where is justice, compassion, and hope in your workplace?
- Turn your attention to your community - neighborhood, city, state, or region - whatever you are drawn to. What are some of the major issues and concerns for your community? What work is yours to do in your community?
- Visualize your nation or continent. How might God be at work in this larger geographic area?
- In your mind’s eye, visualize our lovely planet Earth. Where is God’s love, mercy, and compassion most needed today? How could you cooperate with God’s dream for our planet?
- Return to silence and stillness. Listen quietly for any prompting from the Spirit, leading you to action or service.
- End with gratitude for the ways in which God is at work in the world.
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We Covenant One With Another
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Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
The season of Lent with its emphasis on reflection, renewal, and preparation began this past Wednesday. During Lent, we’ll be talking on Sunday mornings about different approaches to activism and nonviolent action. Our inspiration is the political theatre of the Jesus movement and adrienne marie brown’s Emergent Strategy.
Transition Music
Nina Simone - "Here Comes the Sun"
Worship Begins - 11:00 am
Welcome and Announcements ~ Pastor Ken
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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: To you, O God, we lift up the spirit of our whole selves.
All: O God, we trust unashamedly in you; seeking that you be not ashamed of us;
One: May we begin our Lenten journey together in right relationships;
All: Teach us. Show us. Guide us in your paths. Grow us to know your ways more clearly.
One: You are the God of our salvation and the Sustainer of good relations.
All: For you we wait.
One: May integrity, a clean conscience, and upright living preserve us.
All: Amen.
Opening Prayer ~ Karen Richter
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Perceiving and Responding |
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Giving and Stewardship
We strive to respond faithfully to the needs of our community. Your consistent and loving gifts make our community ministries possible. You can find our weekly financial update, Heidi's Corner, at this link.
Lent, a season of preparation and renewal, is here. 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. We join other churches in the Southwest Conference and the Conference Executive Board in this effort. 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. Our culture of celebration in the midst of uncertainty is such a blessing.
Pastoral Prayer ~ Pastor Ken
Special Music
“Servant Song” shared by Forrest Bachtel
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Word About Life for Today ~ Rev. Ken Heintzelman
"Prayers Along the Way"
Genesis 9:8-17
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’
Introduction to Breakout Rooms and Discussion
- Is praying a natural thing for you when you are on a journey, or in between places?
- What feelings move you to pray?
- What have been the answers to your journey prayers?
Words for Mission
One: Mindful of your mercy, forgiveness, and instruction, O God, we go into the world renewed, refreshed, and full of courage to be your people. We go in peace to work for justice. 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.
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