August 21st 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: Luke 13: 10-17 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Healing Reign |
| 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:
Healing Reign
Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
[Reading above - Luke 13: 10-17]
Today’s story helps us think about the place of Sabbath observance in our lives. Jesus’ actions and words suggest that restoration and healing are central to life with God. Luke’s interest in telling this story goes beyond the Sabbath. Writing the story of Jesus at a time when the church and synagogue have gone their separate ways, and with a desire to appease Roman authority, it is not surprising that a synagogue leader becomes a foil for opposition to Jesus. We must always remember that Jesus was firmly rooted in his Jewish tradition. Otherwise, we easily slip into super-secessionism and antisemitism.
Questions for Reflection:
Sabbath observance is at the heart of the Ten Commandments. Read Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The day of rest, worship and restoration is offered in juxtaposition to the oppressive demands of Pharaoh who required the Hebrew slaves to work every day. How do you observe the Sabbath? Do you have some things you will do on your Sabbath day and other things you refrain from doing?
The woman’s eighteen years of suffering might connect to the eighteen years of oppression the tribes of Israel endured under the Moabites and the Ammonites (Judges 3:14 and 10:8). How is the Sabbath subversive to oppressive forces in our lives and in the world?
This is another case in the gospels where the cosmic battle of good versus evil is played out in the life of a suffering person. How do the evil events of our place and time impact your well-being?
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
