Worship for September 13, 2020 |
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Interfaith scholar Mirabai Starr,
on divine love:
In the past, you strove to be perfect. You kept a list of tasks you considered to be worthy, and another you dismissed as selfish. You developed a rating system and judged yourself according to the results, Now you wash dishes for God. Now when you dance the tango you are dancing with the Holy One, when you check email you are corresponding with the Holy One, and when you grade papers you are giving encouragement to the Holy One. Undressing your lover is unwrapping a divine gift; eating chocolate is partaking of a sacrament. Forgetting to drop off the recycling, neglecting to call your dad on his birthday, getting offended when your friend suggests that your jeans are too tight - these are all comedy routines you perform for the God of Love, which just crack God up and make God love you all the more.
From God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
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The old threads are unraveling,
Get your needles ready.
We are stitching a new quilt
of Humanity.
Bring your old t-shirts,
worn out jeans, scarves,
antique gowns, aprons,
old pockets of plenty
who have held Earth's treasures,
stones, feathers, leaves,
love notes on paper.
Each stitch
A mindful meditation.
Each piece of material
A story.
The more colour the better,
so call in the Tribes.
Threads of browns, whites,
reds, oranges
Women from all nations
start stitching.
Let's recycle the hate, the abuse,
the fear, the judgment.
Turn it over, wash it clean,
ring it out to dry.
It's a revolution
of recycled wears.
Threads of greens, blues, purples
Colourful threads
of peace, kindness,
respect, compassion
are being stitched
from one continent to the next
over forests, oceans, mountains.
The work is hard
Your fingers may bleed.
But each cloth stitched together
Brings together a community.
A world, our future world
Under one colourful quilt.
The new quilt of humanity.
~ Julia Myers
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We Celebrate With Music and Giving |
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Celebrations
With a change of seasons around the corner, we have much to celebrate as a community:
- The Facilities Team has been hard at work on our campus doing some water system repairs. We are grateful.
- Bill Peterson has returned from Colorado.
- The Johnstons are celebrating their 48th anniversary.
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
Music is good for the soul!
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Offering
Prayer of Gratitude - Place Meditation
Take your seat.
Just let your body meet the earth.
Feel the weight and gravity pulling you closely to her.
Perhaps even imagine that you have roots emerging
from your tailbone.
And they begin to descend into the deep dark soil.
Let your skin take this place in.
Notice the temperature on your arms.
Notice if there is any breeze on your face.
Let your ears, your nose, your eyes, take in this place.
Do you hear the wind rustling the trees or the buzzing of insects?
Feel the air enter your nostrils. What does this place smell like?
Soften your gaze and take in the entire place, the contours of the landscape.
Spend one more moment
Beholding this place
Let it change before you.
Witness the light come and go.
Let yourself slowly rise to your feet and walk from this place,
Still aware that you’re walking on the earth’s body.
Your financial support of our community continues to be important and appreciated. The needs of our own congregation and the needs of our beloved neighbors are growing and changing. Click here for Heidi’s Corner, our weekly financial update.
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Our Online Community Via Zoom |
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Adult Spiritual Formation - 10:00 am
Worship Workshop: "What does the flow of worship look like?"
In September, we’ll be using the 10:00 hour to reflect on our experiences of worship. What elements do we treasure? We'll be using hymn composer and liturgist Ruth Duck's Worship for the Whole People of God as a resource. Next week, we talk about some Shadow Rock worship words: Experimental and Experiential. All are welcome to discuss and ponder together.
Word About Life for Today - 11:00 am
by Rev. Ken Heintzelman
In this season, friends, we’re listening to the sermon live on Zoom right at 11:00 am. If you have questions about what to expect or want to hear some self-care suggestions to prevent Zoom-related burnout, please use the chat box. For on-the-spot tech assistance, call or text Karen at 623-466-4472.
Fellowship and Discussion -
Immediately following the sermon
Right after the sermon, we'll use the Zoom feature 'Breakout Rooms' to allow for more personalized discussion. If this is your first time with Breakout Rooms, think about them being just like the tables at Coffee Chat - a chance to get to know folks and have a great talk. Please don't feel pressure to participate in any particular way - just listening is good too.
Here are this week's questions from Pastor Ken:
The invitation to the wedding banquet is an invitation to a life characterized by the call and example of Jesus. This means that love, generosity, courage, justice, compassion, and service to others are the ingredients of an authentic human life. Do we resist this invitation? When and in what ways do we say "yes" but then change the deal?
The language of judgement, cast into the outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth is hard to hear. It is metaphorical and mythological language used to add punch and gravitas to a person's decision to lead a Christian life. The line, "Many are called but few are chosen" feels harsh to our grace-filled, non-judgmental modern minds. What if it is translated as "Many enter the Christian life but few really get it"? Does this help? Why or why not?
Finally, in this season, how is the sermon ‘landing’ for you? Are you hearing the words of our covenant, core values, and the narrative of our wider tradition in our time together and in the sermon?
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Announcements and Reminders |
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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.
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