August 13th Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Prelude |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Do Not Be Afraid |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Do Not Be Afraid
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
[Reading above - Matthew 14:22-33]
This has been a long day for Jesus. It began with Jesus learning that his mentor, John the Baptist, had been executed by Herod Antipas. His time alone for grieving and praying was delayed by a large crowd of people who needed healing and feeding. Jesus had compassion on them and ministered to them. Jesus sent the disciples on their way by boat and Jesus, after dismissing the large crowd, retreated to a mountaintop for peace and quiet. A headwind slowed the progress of the disciples, so that Jesus overtook them early in the morning. This is the backdrop of today’s powerful story—a story of grief, compassion, prayer, adversity, and trust in a calming presence.
Questions for Reflection:
Jesus needed a quiet time of prayer and mourning to deal with his grief. How do you work through loss and grief?
How is grief like a strong headwind that impedes your progress? What steadies you when you are caught in a storm?
What meaning and support is imparted by Jesus’ words: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
It seems that if we wait for our lives and world to quiet down before finding the peace we need, peace will allude us. We need to make peace and quiet a priority in order to benefit from its gifts. It is a spiritual discipline to rearrange your priorities to make space for peace and quiet. Give that a try this week. Let the gift of improved well-being be the motivation you need to make changes to do what maters most
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
