virtual worship – september 20 2020...sep 20, 2020  · trying to carry; relax and let god’s...

Virtual Worship – September 20 2020

The Service For The Lord’s Day THE 16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 WHENEVER “KIND WORDS AND GENTLE TOUCHES!”

… A Day Care Worker’s Mantra

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship

PRELUDE VIDEO “Do You Know My Jesus” (Fountainview Academy) PRELUDE (Brandon Cook)

CALL TO WORSHIP Come gather here all who are weary and broken. Take a seat if you are beaten down, depressed, abused and full of sorrow.

Because the God we gather to worship is the one who can give us rest. Let our praise and worship flow from our hearts like wisdom from children. May our gladness and joy be honest and pure.

May God be pleased with what we bring now. He has been waiting for us. Come into his presence with thanksgiving; let go of all you are trying to carry; relax and let God’s grace flow over you.

Lord, hear our prayers and speak your words. Amen.

CHIMES OF THE HOLY TRINITY

* HYMN # 138 “Holy, Holy, Holy”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison prayer) Lord God, have mercy on us. We are sinful, prideful, selfish people. We spend so much time looking out for ourselves, trampling on the people closest to us as a result. We break our relationships with friends, our children and our spouses. We often don’t even realize how desperately we need your saving grace. Break our hearts and teach us how to love again. Forgive our failures and make us instruments of your peace. We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE # 572 “Kyrie” Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* RESPONSE “Gloria Patri”

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(If you are worshiping with family this morning, share the peace of Christ with them; If this reminds you of someone you might need to reach out to, make a note to send them an email or text and share Christ’s peace that way.)

Proclaiming the Word PRAYER OF THE DAY FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 6: 20 – 24 ANTHEM (Brandon Cook)

SECOND READING: John 3: 1 – 10; Mark 10: 13 – 16

SERMON “Peacemaking Like Kids Know How to Do” (Rev. Sellers) (Today’s “cliff notes” sermon will be followed up with a more in-depth sermon that will be a separate video uploaded on Sunday.)

Responding to the Word

* HYMN # 343 “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From A Brief Statement of Faith) In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth, praying, "Come, Lord Jesus!" With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD As you listen to the video offertory this morning, please take a moment or two to be intentional in your support of our churches. However you do it, remember that this is more than supporting staff or paying bills; this is accepting the opportunity of being a part of what God is doing in our world.

VIDEO OFFERTORY “God of the Movements and Martyrs” (David Lamotte)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Carrying the Word Into the World

* HYMN # 2226 “Bind Us Together” * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE * VIDEO POSTLUDE “I Shall Not Want” (Audrey Assad)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

PRAYER REQUESTS: You can use the contact form on either church website to share a prayer request with everyone in both congregations. https://mulberrypc.org/contact/ or https://christpccharlotte.org/contact/ .

MULBERRY PRAYER CHAIN: If you have an immediate and emergency prayer request, contact the Mulberry prayer chain by phone – call Annette Pearson at 704-910-2144, or by emailing Rodger Sellers (see staff contact info.)

Christ Prayer Chain: An immediate need can be shared with the Christ congregation by emailing either Rodger Sellers (see staff contact info.) or Deborah Ray: dmray@carolina.rr.com.

Christ Staff Contact Information www.christpccharlotte.org

Pastor: Rev. Rodger Sellers rpsellers@gmail.com 704-796-3117

Admin: Tina Emmons tinaemmons@ymail.com

Music Dir: Brandon Cook kbrandco@aol.com 704-941-9400

MULBERRY STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A poem about Peace in May of 2020*

Peace is not achieved when you stop hurting. Peace is not a victory won from the inside. The protest-lines for peace are drawn up in your soul, for sure But they will always be there if you choose to hide. Peace does not come to those who ask—not for free It takes a greater sacrifice than war. As every Power is violent, every Principality Is strangling Justice beside “Others” and “the Poor.” There is no peace between those with all and nothing Nor even when the conflict seems subdued The status quo of domination, in its enduring Perpetuates the Great Lie behind each smaller ruse. Peace is not achieved while “they” are hurting. Peace has not been won through some past fight. There is no peace, absent justice: in practice and de jure to make peace is to care, repent, repair — and to make right.

…Henry Koenig Stone (*: A poem that requires contextual understanding and remembering all the events taking place this past May. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, even the woman in central park who wouldn’t leash her dog but called police on her neighbor are evident in the words of this poem.)

SERVICE NOTES: Today’s Video Prelude, “Do You Know My Jesus” is yet another music video by the incredibly talented young musicians of the Fountainvew Academy in British Columbia, Canada. (Their 3rd song we’ve shared in our virtual worship videos.) This secondary school associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church has a renowned orchestra and choir that tours the world performing sacred music. This talented group of young people have dedicated their musical talents to spreading the Gospel. Every student at Fountainview takes part in music and their music is an expression of their lived faith in Jesus Christ.

Today’s Video Offertory, “God of the Movements and Martyrs” is a song by Black Mountain’s David Lamotte. David is a native son of the Presbyterian Church (his father was the long time pastor of 1st Presbyterian in Lincolnton), a well-known singer-songwriter, and an activist for peace on three continents. This new song to a well-known tune was commissioned by the North Carolina Council of Churches in 2019 in honor of their eighty-fifth anniversary this year. In David’s own words, “Though the lyrics were written months before the world’s focus turned to the twin pandemics of Covid-19 and racism, the hymn seems to resonate with these turbulent times, and calls us to the work of justice, in broad and inclusive community.”

Today’s Video Postlude, “I Shall Not Want” was written and composed by singer-songwriter Audrey Assad, who was has been featured in our virtual worship video on July 26th and two weeks ago on September 9th. Assad’s music expresses her own faith journey through trials, doubts, struggles and her eventual recommitment to faith as a Catholic. “I was still learning to let go of my need to fit God inside my head and when I finally realized that the tree of life was the towering sort of tree that Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus, then I found the comfort God has brought to me and offers to everyone.”

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – September 13, 2020 (Updated as of Friday, Sept.11th)

Pray for: Betty Passaly, close to passing (Thursday evening.) Shane Layel (Jane Gregg’s son-in-law), following his surgery this past Tuesday. Jack Guy – CMC main following surgery this past Monday. Jane Guy, recovering at home. Cookie Glines (Joyce Glines’ daughter-in law): Diagnosis of lung cancer this past week. Pray for several people who are awaiting Covid test results this week. All those whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Laura. The family of Lorraine Smith; her funeral was this past Sunday, August 30th. Lupe Vidal: Cardiology consult this past Thurs. Phil Hammer, as he continues to recover from bypass surgery. He has another

procedure coming sometime in October. Pray for the treatment of his a-fib. Keith Bigham and Deborah Ray: Health concerns. Pray for all students, teachers, and staff as schools continue altering plans due to

Covid-19 issues. Lisa Freeze (Betty and Bill Thomason’s aide): Has a reoccurrence of cancer. Pray for our friends in the SDA congregation as they are away from Mulberry’s

sanctuary that is their home as well as ours. Everyone who is experiencing anxiety and depression due to the ongoing limitations

and restrictions in our daily lives. Those out of work and struggling to make ends meet financially. Our friends and family who are homebound or in assisted living or nursing homes who

can’t have visitors, like Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Louise Carter, Lorenzo Conyers, Ruth Long, Melva Robinson, Sylvester Barbee, Louise Carter, Fern Kisner.

All those who do not have a church family to love and support them in difficult times. The Lorien Academy of the Arts and the Creative Player Foundation, as the continued

crisis affects their plans and programs. Pray for wisdom, truth and transparency in the next nine weeks as we get inundated

with political ads that are not true, civil, or helpful. Pray for any of our members that you have lost touch with and not seen or spoken to

in a while. Perhaps as God what YOU can do to serve those who come to mind.

Announcements and Notes

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Worship Schedule at Christ (CPC) & Mulberry (MPC): Sept. 27th: Outdoor worship at CPC, 9:30 AM; Video from MPC Oct. 4th: Outdoor worship at MPC, 9:30 AM; Video from CPC World Communion Sunday; Sacrament of Holy Communion at both worship

services. Oct. 11th: Outdoor worship at CPC, 9:30 AM; Video from MPC Oct. 18th: Outdoor worship at MPC, 9:30 AM; Video from CPC Oct. 25th: Outdoor worship at CPC, 9:30 AM; Video from MPC. ALL OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICES ARE WEATHER DEPENDENT; If it is raining or

rain is imminent at the church (not at your home), then worship will not occur. In October, we will continue the alternating schedule above as long as the

weather cooperates, or until it is determined that indoor worship is feasible and safe.

WEEKLY “ZOOM IN” BREAK AND REVAMP: We’re taking a break from the Wednesday Zoom calls for a couple of weeks to rethink and revamp. Using it as merely a catch up “party line” type of call hasn’t worked very well, so we’re going to work to make it a short (15 minutes or so) weekly news and information call, where folks can hang around afterwards if they wish. Stay tuned for more news as we get “Zoom 2.0” ready to launch later this month.

THURSDAY NIGHT WORSHIP TAPING SESSIONS, 6:30 PM: With the state moving into “Stage 2.5” we are opening Thursday night worship / taping sessions to 25 people or fewer. We will practice strict social distancing, mask wearing except for those leading from the chancel, and requiring self-checks (temperature, wellness) on everyone’s part if they choose to attend. If you’d like to join us in person, plan to attend and worship with us. (And yes, since we are taping the video, there are some interruptions from time to time!) See the schedule above to find which sanctuary we are taping from on any giving Thursday evening.

Deuteronomy 6: 20 – 24: 20 When your children ask you in time to come, “What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” 21 then you shall say to your children, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 The LORD displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. 23 He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 Then the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case. John 3: 1 – 10: 1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Mark 10: 13 – 16: 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, we come to worship today overwhelmed with distractions, consumed with busyness, occupied by worries and unsure of what to do next. And yet, we are here, yearning for a word from you, wanting a sense of your presence, seeking your wisdom for this time and place. Send your Spirit to focus our attention and hone our hearing in order that we might hear what you are saying to your church. Speak to us through the words you have chosen for us to hear. In Christ’s name we humbly ask. Amen.