May 5th 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: Mark 2:23-3:5 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection: |
| Sermon: Lord of the Sabbath |
| Communion Hymn |
| The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
If you wish to see more information about giving or to checkout our new Online Giving process, visit our GIVING page.
Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Lord of the Sabbath
One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
[Reading Above - Mark 2:23-3:5]
Sabbath observance remains essential to the identity of the Jewish people and the disciples of Jesus. It is one of the Ten Commandments and receives extensive elaboration in Torah. It is the only commandment rooted both in creation and the exodus from Egypt. Jesus was observant of the commandments in general, and sabbath observance in particular. Jesus was also putting new wine in fresh wineskins (Mark 2:22). Jesus was intentional and careful about blending ancient practice with a renewed spirit. He insisted the sabbath was made for humankind, interpreting this principle as doing good and not harm, supporting life and not death.
Questions for Reflection:
How does your sabbath observance clarify your identity? How does your sabbath observance set you apart as a disciple of Jesus?
Contemporary culture has moved away from observing a holy day—a day set apart for connecting with the Divine in a community of faith and in a spirit of rest and renewal? How might a return to sabbath observance bring more goodness and life to our community?
A Spiritual Practice to Try:
Make sabbath observance a priority in your schedule. Make a point to attend worship in our community of disciples and to include daily connection with God as a way to bring more rest, goodness, and life to you and your circle of influence. Pastor Marc enjoys supporting these practices, so reach out if you need a hand.
A Practice to Focus on 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.
