Worship for February 28, 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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Adapted from Madeleine L’Engle’s The Irrational Season, reflections on the liturgical year
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Never have we needed peacemakers more. If I struggle to think of the Beatitudes as a description of Jesus, it is bound to affect my understanding of peace, because Jesus, the peacemaker, Chosen One, said that he came not to bring peace but a sword. And the Hebrew word shalom - peace - is not a passive word meaning the absence of conflict but a positive word, shalom, the peace which comes after the final battle.
When we are given the grace to be peacemakers even in little unimpressive ways, then we are children of God, children by adoption and grace, but children nevertheless, who are bold to call on God as Parent. So we children are helped to become peacemakers, and one day we will truly be able to cry, Shalom!
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We Covenant One With Another
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Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
It's the second week of Lent with its emphasis on reflection, renewal, and preparation. 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 - Lenten Sounds and Music
Worship Begins - 11:00 am
Welcome and Announcements ~ Pastor Ken
Call to Worship
One: “Walk before me, and be blameless,” said God to Abram, “And I shall make my covenant between me and you.”
All: Quite openly, we’ve measured that distance, the distance between ourselves and God. Quite openly, we’ve often chosen to stay away.
One: Quite openly, we’ve distanced ourselves. Quite openly, we didn’t want to be closer.
All: Quite openly, we are not blameless. And yet, quite openly, we are still here.
One: We are here to open ourselves to our In-between God, the loving Presence who closes distances and bridges gaps.
Opening Prayer ~ Karen Richter
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Perceiving and Responding |
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Giving and Stewardship
Our community abides. Our response is faithful. Your consistent and loving gifts make our so many good things happen. You can find our weekly financial update, Heidi's Corner, at this link.
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
Our culture of celebration abides, even now in the midst of uncertainty. Unmute to share your celebrations or type it in the Zoom chat box.
Pastoral Prayer ~ Pastor Ken
Special Music ~ “It Is Well with My Soul” shared by Forrest Bachtel
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Word About Life for Today ~ Rev. Ken Heintzelman
Mark 8:31-38 :: “Between Me and You”
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Introduction to Breakout Rooms and Discussion
- What do you hear when you listen to Jesus’ call to deny ourselves and to pick up our crosses and follow him? Is this a one time response or is it something we do day after day after day?
Words for Mission
One: Without talking back, with egos set aside, let us move into God’s love. Let us go into the gaps and liminal spaces with God to offer our gifts to the world. 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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