Sermon Podcast – December 6, 2020 – Peace
Preached by Rev. Lou Ellen Hartley. Based on Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8.
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Worship Video – December 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent
Advent Reflection November 30
As we begin Advent together, please click on the link below to find the Presbyterians Today advent devotional.
Sermon Podcast – November 29, 2020 – Already But Not Yet
Preached by Jonathan Kimball. Based on Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Worship Video – November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Sermon November 22, 2020
Psalm and Prayer of the Day November 19
Psalm 143
New Revised Standard Version
Psalm 143
Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
A Psalm of David.
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground,
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
5 I remember the days of old,
I think about all your deeds,
I meditate on the works of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.[a]
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
on a level path.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
and destroy all my adversaries,
for I am your servant.
Prayer
Today, with all the bluster of fall giving way to winter, we offer thanks that you are the Lord of all creation. We offer thanks for the gifts of love and family, friendship and joy. We offer up prayers for those who are lonely, grieving, and sad. We offer thanks for the gift of your church and the connections we have with you and others. We pray for those who are without faith and do not know about your love. We offer thanks for the gifts of healing for those who have had surgeries or come through illness. We pray for those who are suffering, who are in the hospitals, who are at home. We pray for the doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers who give so much to heal us. (Offer up personal prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.) Amen.
Worship Update
On Monday November 16, the Session voted to suspend in person worship services through at least January 24, 2021. We will continue to provide video and podcast worship services. Also, our church office will remain closed to visitors. Our office manager will be answering the phones, email, and mail. Our pastor, as always, is available by phone and email. Please take care of each other and yourselves.
Prayer from the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett
God, our refuge and strength,
these are truly trying times for all of us
as we face a rapidly spreading virus,
with panic buying that has left grocery shelves nearly empty and supplies in great demand.
We have seen the worst in people and the best.
Yet, through it all, we take hope in Christ
and Christ’s promise to never leave us.
We are holding one another in prayer.
Like the rest of the country,
our Presbyterian communities are physically separated, but we are still deeply connected through our common humanity, spirituality, and strong faith in you, our God. Amen.
—The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, President and Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Psalm 57
To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
2 I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me,
he will put to shame those who trample on me.Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.
4 I lie down among lions
that greedily devour[a] human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongues sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves.Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.
As you cause the sun to rise, O God, bring the light of Christ to dawn in our souls and dispel all darkness. Give us grace to reflect Christ’s glory; and let his love show in our deeds, his peace shine in our words, and his healing in our touch, that all may give him praise, now and forever. Amen.