11/29/2020 = Advent 1 = John 1:1-18 = “We Believe in the Light: Illuminating Peace”

(Click HERE to find the FB Live video of this service [service starts at4:00, sermon begins at 22:00)

(Click HERE to DONATE to Lidgerwood Church)

Mark Wheeler

John 1:1-18                                                                                                            

 “We Believe in the Light: Illuminating Peace”                                                     

First Sunday of Advent, 11/29/2020

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

The “great light” prophesied by Isaiah in today’s Call to Worship is echoed in the first strains of John’s Gospel Good News: the light that brings peace–that saves the people from all that would extinguish it–has been here from the beginning. The Word is made flesh and dwells among us. This reign is now… will we believe it? Will we continue to put flesh on it, embodying the peace meant for all humanity?

Open with “Light of the World”

Holy One,     we thank You for the glimpses we catch of Your gift of peace on earth.

Even in the midst of fear, of challenge, of struggle – even when we aren’t sure that goodwill among us can be found, ignite the flame of peace within us,

Help us face the pain of life

and embrace the assurance that light is already here, and is always coming. Amen.

Let’s take a second to greet each other, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home. Tell your loved ones, “May the Peace of Christ be with you.”

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

For those who made it into the building this morning – thank you for wearing your masks and following the seating and walking protocols. We do this not to protect ourselves from others, but to protect others from ourselves. Because we love each other, we wear masks and keep distance to keep each other safe from this “invisible potential enemy”. COVID numbers are way up in our area – let’s not give them an opportunity to climb even higher. Our Elders are listening to CDC guidelines and deciding on what seems best practices for each others’ safety. We love you, and we want everyone to be and to stay well.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Feel free to laugh at our efforts … and pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

Listen now and join in as we read our Isaiah prophecy – and those at home, if you have candles, light a candle and keep it near you in this time of worship and prayer – as we light our Advent Wreath.

Our song of praise today sings of Christ’s presence and the Peace He offers!  – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – led by Julie on the piano, and Donna & Ken singing for us (our suggestion is no congregational singing, but if you’re wearing your masks appropriately, who would know who is singing?).

Through the Written Word, 

And endorsed by our spoken word,

May we know Your Living Word, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

On this week of “peace,” we encounter a prophesy from Isaiah that lays out the qualities of a just and righteous ruler. The “authority” that rests upon the shoulders of good rulers is dependent upon the “endless” peace that they can provide for their people, where the weak are protected from the strong who may perpetrate violence against them and “lord” privilege over them. There is some debate about what “child” Isaiah is describing (a descendant of David already born or yet to be born? Or are these attributes referring to God?) but the description is in keeping with other instances in Hebrew texts that describe a peace that is not a false one where some are muzzled in order to “keep the peace.”

Of course there is no doubt in John’s Gospel that Jesus is the fulfillment of this “child” come to bring peace. And that Jesus is God incarnate! Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning with God and present throughout human history.

John’s Gospel is written later than the others and is meant to inspire people to faith, to see the Jesus’ story as the origin story from the beginning of time. Listen to how closely it resembles Genesis 1. And so it is logical that Jesus would be described as light – the first act of creation. This light then becomes flesh and makes a home among us, gifting humankind with a well-lit room in that house and a clear vision of the pathway to enlarging the peace – enlarging the houses of God that we create to all people – John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me”.

Listen here to the Word of God … John 1:1-18 …. —- [The screen will show this passage.]

1 ¹ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

At this time of year, we see lights everywhere that remind us of the coming of that true Light that John tells us about. Trees are adorned with lights, streets that are lined with lights, homes and businesses are outlined with lights. One of my favorite activities of the season is to drive around and look at all of the beautiful lights. That’s why each Sunday of the Advent season, we light candles on the Advent wreath.

John’s Gospel tells us that God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone would believe. John wasn’t the light, he only came to tell others about the light. Who was the light that John came to tell people about? That’s right, it was the “always-correct-children’s-message-answer”, Jesus. The one true light, who gives light to everyone.

Like John the Baptist, we are to testify to the light – the light that is Jesus and in the way that light shines now in others.  

Let’s invest a few minutes sharing stories – Where have you witnessed the “light of peace?”

• A couple weeks ago when Owen Sandusky and Dick Sawdy were right next door to each other at DMC, allowing Kathy and Marlene to share prayers with and for each other!
• The gift of brothers and sisters in Christ willingly giving of their time ad abilities to help each other out.
• If You Could Save Just One offering so many different ways to take care of families in need, especially when nothing is simple these days!

Let’s remember that the lights of this season are a symbol of the one true Light, Jesus, who brought light into the darkness of this world!

As we light the candles on our advent wreath, the four candles remind us that Jesus brings peace, love, joy, and hope into the world. It is true, “The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin, the Light of the world is Jesus!“

As we move into a time of prayer together – let me talk with our kids for a minute – all-y’all can listen in:

This Advent we’re going to learn a little sign-language – because that’s a beautiful way to bring light into the darkness deafness.  This year is the 100^th anniversary of the great song “This Little Light of Mine”. Let’s sing it quietly, and let’s add the sign language that goes with it:

Prayer Page –

Leader: We believe that humans seem to have a penchant for conflict AND

People: We believe that we are capable of learning non-violent ways

to negotiate difference.

We believe that we have perpetrated deep suffering upon each other AND

We believe that we can face up to the facts of racial-privilege and work for equity.

We believe that our fear has told us that we must “win” in order to survive AND

We believe that “winning” at the cost of others can be called out and changed.

We believe, even when we are discouraged.

We believe, that when we are discouraged,

raising our voices for justice will offer us peace!

Believe, with a peaceful heart!

Believe, and shine Your light!

Believe, because the song we sing is sung for all!

And now let the weak say, “I am strong;”

let the poor say, “I am rich

because of what our God has done for us.”

Believe!

And now – call out a name, a place, a people, a situation, you are lifting to the Lord in prayer ….  “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”    [Lord’s Prayer]  Amen.

– Christmas Joy Offering & Pledge Cards and our Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE)   or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”

This Advent Season – while we all are suffering to some degree because of the COVID pandemic and all of the hoopla and restrictions that goes with it, our closing song will what is known as  Christmas Carols of Resistance:

Our Carol of Resistance this week is part of the repertoire of Christmas songs that were created by people who endured brutal hardships as the result of African colonization and North American slavery. But, though people of African descent were ripped from much of their cultural heritage, they maintained their heritage of group song, punctuated by West African rhythms and vocal stylings. Of course the safest thing for oppressed peoples to sing about was the religious beliefs that gave many hope in the midst of suffering. “Go Tell It On The Mountain” is probably the best-known African American Christmas song and some of the words are thought by some to have been code words for those seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. It was made popular by the Fisk Jubilee Singers 150 years ago as these college students – themselves freed slaves – traveled the country to raise money and awareness. They were turned away from hotels, railway waiting rooms, and even some churches because of the color of their skin. As we sing, let us honor them, honor all who have endured slavery and the continued systemic racism caused by slavery. Let us… as Dick McCarter … leads us in …

Expedition Song  – Go Tell It on the Mountain! ….

Next Sunday, like we did today – please RSVP to us if you plan to attend so we can properly set up – and please CALL IN or email or text – so we can share with you what the plans will be – whether we will be allowed to continue to meet or not.

We close with this benediction:       In this Advent Season of waiting know this …

We wait for peace     but we do not wait to work to eliminate hatred.

We wait for justice     but we do not wait to work for change;

We wait for restored health     but we do not wait to work to heal;

We wait for wholeness     but we do not wait to work at binding brokenness;

And so, my friends, like bells ringing out the news

that the light has dawned and shines on all people,

fill the night left by fear with messages of peace.

Go into your lives humming the tunes that keep that peace alive in you

and that spur you on in your work of justice and reconciliation.

Raise your voices and repeat after me…

“We believe when!”

“We believe even when!”

Amen!

Postlude: “It Is Well with My Soul”, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

Resources: 

McFee, Marcia; Worship Design Studio; Advent 2020.

https://sermons4kids.com/light_of_the_world.htm

11/26/2020 = Thanksgiving Worship = Matthew 25:31-46 = “ThanksGiving –> ThanksLiving”

(Click HERE to find the FB Live video feed (service begins at the 16 minute mark)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood Church)

Mark Wheeler

Matthew 25:31-46                                                                                 

 “ThanksGiving à ThanksLiving”                                     

11/26/2020

LPC, at home edition

Opening Music:  Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (YouTube  Thanksgiving Theme – YouTube) (2 mins)

Welcome

First Song of Thanksgiving:  Let All Things Now Living (YouTube, The Chapel of the Cross Children’s Virtual Choir  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poiXz3rO6HI )

Psalm 69:29-30

          “I am in pain and in distress (I hurt and I struggle)

                   May Your salvation, O God, protect me.

          I will praise God’s name in song

                   And glorify Him with thanksgiving!”

Prayers from the place of pain and distress and struggle

          “Have mercy on us, O God.”

Matthew 25:31-46     —     Listen for pain and distress and struggle – and for providence and thanksgiving

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

When someone does something nice for us, what do we do?

We say, “Thank you,” don’t we? Sometimes that just doesn’t seem to be enough. Has someone ever done something for you that was so nice that you wanted to do more than just say, “Thank You”? I have.

When that happens, I sometimes send them a “Thank You” card.

Everyone enjoys receiving a “Thank You” card. Think about a time you sent a card or note like that.

Another way we can show our thanks when someone does something really nice for us is by doing something nice for them in return. Like if someone invites us to dinner or to a ball game and we have a really good time, we return their kindness by inviting them to do something with us. It’s always important to show we’re thankful when someone does something for us.

Now, think of your most ultimate doer of good for you. Who did you think of?

 God provides food when we’re hungry and water when we’re thirsty. He heals us when we’re sick and He comforts us when we’re sad. The Bible tells us that He is an ever-present helper in times of trouble. Take a moment now to write or draw or just think something you’re thankful to God for.

Who wants to briefly share what you came up with?

Because of all God has done for us, we say, “Thank you.” But He’s done so much! Here’s an idea to do even more to thank God. 

Jesus told us how to do it. Jesus said, “Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you do it for me.” That means when we feed someone who is hungry, it is the same as doing it for Jesus. When we visit someone who is sick, it is the same as doing it for Jesus. When we give clothes to those who are in need, it is the same as doing it for Jesus. 

This looks like loving our neighbors as we love ourselves – ALSO is loving our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength….

There is a very special name for this way of saying, “Thank you.”

Let’s call it “thanks living.” “Thanks living” is when we show our thanks by the way we live. “Thanks living” is when we look at the many ways God has blessed us, and we thank Him by sharing His blessings with others.

Let’s pray and ask God to help us offer our thanksgiving by “thanks living.”

Dear God, we come into Your presence with thanksgiving. Help us turn our thanksgiving into “thanks living.” Help us notice people around us who are in need and ways we can care for them like You care for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayers from the place of giving thanks:

          “Lord, we thank You!”

Closing Song: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart (www.Facebook.com/DonMoenMusic/posts/10158061572494753)

Postlude: Don’t (Just) Say Grace – Worship Design Studio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR7KShL2atw&feature=youtu.be&inf_contact_key=dbf4cc2d6af91600a20aed9585209dd309c74070ac2bf3cfa7869e3cfd4ff832 )

11/15/2020 = Matthew 25:14-30 = “What Do We Do with This?”

Please note that this post is out of order – 11/22 is directly beneath this 11/15 post.

[You can find the FB Live video feed HERE [starts at 9:30, sermon begins at 20:00)]

[Donate to Lidgerwood Church HERE]

Mark Wheeler

Matthew 25:14-30                                                                                                                                          

 “What Do We Do with This?!”                                                                               

11/15/2020

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

Welcome to Worship, Church!!!  We enter this time together from all sorts of our own troubles and difficulties, worries and fears, pains and hurts, responsibilities and burdens, hopes and dreams; I invite you to be very present in this time of gathered worship and prayer – allow our Good Shepherd to share your yoke, and look to Him for strength and comfort.

And today we do something we’ve never done before – within the bounds of worship we also hold a Congregational Meeting. Congregational Meetings are for the members of this particular church to receive some information and to make some decisions – but we invite everyone – members and friends, in the building and from afar on your phones and computers, via Zoom or Facebook Live – to be a part of the whole service. When we get to the “business” of the Congregational Meeting there’ll be a few instructions – but what better way for visitors to see how a church functions than to watch how they make budget plans together?!  [So, to be legal, our attendance shows 14(?) members in the room – that’s a quorum]

Welcome, Church! May the Peace of Christ be with you!

Let’s take a second to greet each other, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home.

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

For those who made it into the building this morning – thank you for wearing your masks and following the seating and walking protocols. We do this not to protect ourselves from others, but to protect others from ourselves. Because we love each other, we wear masks and keep distance to keep each other safe from this “invisible potential enemy”. The COVID numbers are still peaking in the greater Spokane area – let’s not give them an opportunity to climb even higher. Our Elders are listening to CDC guidelines and deciding on what seems best practices for each others’ safety. We love you, and we want everyone to be and to stay well.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Feel free to laugh at our efforts … and pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

Listen now and join in as newly re-comissioned Commissioned Ruling Elder Pastor Kathy Sandusky leads us in our Call to Worship, from Psalm 90.

Our song of praise today sings our praise to God!  – Come We that Love the Lord – led by Julie on the piano.

Through the Written Word, 

And endorsed by our spoken word,

May we know Your Living Word, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Think about some of the special gifts or talents God gave you. (Allow time.) Maybe God has gifted you with a musical talent like singing or playing an instrument. Some of you may have been given athletic skills which make you very good at playing a sport. Maybe you have intellectual gifts; so you do very well in school. Some of you may have artistic talents and can paint, draw, or sculpt. Some of you may be good at dancing or acting. Some of you have an innate ability to understand mechanics, or to crochet, or to create electronics…. This list of skills, talents, abilities represented even in this gathering is astounding.

No matter what gifts God gave you, I know He’s given each and every one of you at least one special gift or talent.

When God gives us a gift, He expects us to use it. He doesn’t want the gift to go to waste. God wants us to take that gift and use it to show others how great He is.

That’s what our Bible story is about today.

We have seen that Jesus tells many parables, stories that teach a lesson. Today, we hear Jesus’ parable usually called “The Parable of the Talents.” A “talent” however is not a skill or ability, a “talent” is a ton of money – so in the newest NIV they translated the word for “talent” with “bag of gold”.

Listen here to the Word of God … Matthew 25:14-30 …. —- [The screen will show this passage.]

25 ¹⁴ “Again, it [the Kingdom of Heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability  [as I said a minute ago, this version of the NIV changed the more common term “talents” to “bags of gold” – a “talent” was literally 20-years worth of salary for the average day-laborer – so “bag of gold” makes it easier to understand we’re talking about money, literally, not “skills” or “talents” – but the truth is, what we’re really talking about is anything given us by our Almighty and Generous God!]. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Jesus’ story starts with a man who went off on a long trip. Before he left, he called his servants together and gave each of them a part of his wealth to take care of while he was gone. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to a third he gave one bag. Then he left on his journey.

While he was gone, the servant who had five bags of gold worked hard and doubled his five bags so he ended up with ten bags of gold.  The man with two bags also doubled his; so he had four. But the servant with one bag dug a hole and buried his boss’s money.

When the boss returned, he asked his servants to share what they did with the gifts he gave them. The boss told the two who doubled their bags, “Well done! Because you have used what I gave you well, I will give you much more.“

Then the third servant told the boss, “I was afraid, so I took what you gave me and hid it in the ground so that it would be safe.”

“You lazy servant!” the boss answered. “You could have at least put the gold in the bank so that I could have earned a little interest on it.” The boss took the gold from the servant and gave it to the one who already had the most. He explained, “To those who make what they have been given better will be given more. But from those who do nothing, theirs will be taken away.“

Sometimes we might think God hasn’t given us very much. We might even be tempted to hide our “talent”. But when we use our God-given “talent” to be all that God planned for us to be, He will give us even more!

This lesson reminds me of the actual event of the feeding of the 5,000 with the boy’s five loaves and two fish – such a little amount that he faithfully used – and they ended up with 12 baskets full of leftovers – He gave even more!!

What has God given you? What has He given us? What Will We Do with This?

Dear God, we thank You for the gifts You‘ve given each of us. We pray that we will be faithful in using these gifts to show others how wonderful You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we move into a time of prayer together – let me talk with our kids for a minute – all-y’all can listen in:

Prayer Page – And now – call out a name, a place, a people, a situation, you are lifting to the Lord in prayer ….  “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”    [Lord’s Prayer]  Amen.

Congregational Meeting to:  [The screen will show this info.]

• Change the Bylaws to allow for simultaneous aural electronic participation and attendance in our Congregational Meetings (this allows people at home but with the ability to listen and speak during the Meeting to have their Votes also be heard and counted).
• Receive the 2021 Budget as decided by our Elders Council.
• Approve the Pastors’ Terms of Call.

So – first agenda item: to change our bylaws so people at home can vote on the third agenda item:   [Check the screen ….]

(…3.8  Voting Qualifications – All Communicant members present (physically or electronically) are qualified to vote on ecclesiastical affairs; on corporate affairs of the church, only those who have attained the age of 18 years are qualified to vote.  Additionally, to allow simultaneous aural electronic attendance during meetings, the Session will ensure the availability of the appropriate electronic or future technology equipment and a qualified operator designated.  Technological attendance of the membership is the responsibility of the members and personal equipment allowing presence will not be supplied by the church. These accommodations will be provided for any Congregational Meeting for which such accommodations are requested. Voting by proxy is not allowed.  …) 

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE)   or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”

Expedition Song  – We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations! ….

Next Sunday, like we did today – please RSVP to us if you plan to attend so we can properly set up – and please CALL IN or email or text – so we can share with you what the plans will be – whether we will be allowed to continue to meet or not.

We close with this benediction. Repeat after me:

Grow in the grace and knowledge… Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… [repeat]

Empowered by His Holy Spirit… Be His people everywhere… [repeat]

And give Him the glory… Now and forever more…! [repeat]  Amen

Resources: 

https://sermons4kids.com/#sotw; “Parable of the Talents”

11/22/2020 = Matthew 25:31-46 = “Shepherd, Judge, King”

[Click HERE to find the FB Live video of this service (starts at 7:30, sermon starts at 19:00)]

[Donate to Lidgerwood church HERE]

Mark Wheeler

Matthew 25:31-46                                                                                                

 “Shepherd, Judge, King!”                                                                                       

Christ the King Sunday, 11/22/2020

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

Welcome to Worship on this Christ the King Sunday!!  On liturgical calendars, this is the last Sunday of the Church Year, and the annual cycle concludes with recognizing that Christ is King of the universe! Of course we believe that, and even say it, all year long – but this is the Sunday we dedicate to that truth!

We enter this time together from all sorts of our own troubles and difficulties, worries and fears, pains and hurts, responsibilities and burdens, hopes and dreams; so I invite you to be very present in this time of gathered worship and prayer – allow our King of kings and Lord of lords to share your yoke, and look to Him for strength and comfort.

Welcome, Church! May the Peace of the risen and victorious Christ be with you!

Let’s take a second to greet each other, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home.

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

For those who made it into the building this morning – thank you for wearing your masks and following the seating and walking protocols. We do this not to protect ourselves from others, but to protect others from ourselves. Because we love each other, we wear masks and keep distance to keep each other safe from this “invisible potential enemy”. COVID numbers are way up in our area – let’s not give them an opportunity to climb even higher. Our Elders are listening to CDC guidelines and deciding on what seems best practices for each others’ safety. We love you, and we want everyone to be and to stay well.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Feel free to laugh at our efforts … and pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

Listen now and join in as Linda Soderstrom leads us in our Call to Worship, from Psalm 95.

Our song of praise today sings our praise to our coming King!  – When the Lord Comes in Glory – led by Julie on the piano, and Lilly singing for us (our suggestion is no congregational singing, but if you’re wearing your masks appropriately, who would know who is singing?).

Through the Written Word, 

And endorsed by our spoken word,

May we know Your Living Word, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have you ever heard someone say, “Wait just a minute?”  Well, sometimes a minute can seem like a long time.  Other times, a minute seems to fly by. When we’re watching TV and the commercials come on, it seems like forever for the show to resume – but if we get up to use the bathroom or make a snack – it seems we always miss the beginning of the next scene – right?

We are four days away from Thanksgiving – a day when tradition tells us it’s perfectly OK to overindulge in our favorite Thanksgiving Day foods!  Let’s take one minute and go around the room and name your favorite Thanksgiving Dinner dish – but you can’t name something that someone else has already said. Ready? Go!

Was it easy to think of a lot of good things to eat? It was for me. I thought about roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade stuffing and leftover dressing, green bean casserole, cornbread casserole, cranberry sauce (chunky, out of the can AND homemade with my gramma’s recipe), buns, sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and the list just goes on and on…. What else did you think of?

Well, we all know that not everybody gets to eat like that for Thanksgiving. This year maybe even more so than most years.

Have you ever been hungry? Oh, I don’t mean a little bit hungry. I mean really hungry with no hope that you would get anything to eat today …  or tomorrow … or the next day.  Sometimes we forget that not everyone in the world has plenty of food to eat.

In that one minute while you and I were thinking about all the good things we like to eat, twelve children in the world died because of hunger-related illness.*

Today, on this year’s Christ the King Sunday – let’s hear what Christ our King tells us about hunger. And listen for how He describes Himself as Shepherd, Judge, and King – Three-in-One.

Listen here to the Word of God … Matthew 25:31-46 …. —- [The screen will show this passage.]

25 ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

We have a lot to be thankful for, don’t we? The question is, are we willing to share it with those who are not so fortunate? Will we share what we have with those who are in need?

Last week’s Bible story asked us what we might do with even the little God has given us to be responsible with – remember the Parable of the Talents….

This week’s lesson – the very next verse in Matthew’s Gospel – there is no way to escape the intent of this story gives us actual ways to do that!  I have a friend, Pastor Rob Fairbanks, who Facebook-posted a Tweet he ran across last week. It said:

                    “Care for the poor.

                    Care for the sick.

                    Care for foreigners.

                    Care for prisoners.

                    Or else you’re a goat.

                    As per Jesus. (Matthew 25)”

This year, save a little money if you can, and give a little extra to a charity. Give some time to pray with a friend who is sick. Send a card to a neighbor who looks different from yourself. Offer to bring some food over to someone who is isolated.

Remember, it is the same as doing it for Jesus!

And when we simply ignore those around us in some kind of need, Jesus says, He feels the shun! Let’s not live so that Jesus calls us a goat.

Heavenly Father, You have given us so much. May we be willing to share it with those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Prayer Page – And now – call out a name, a place, a people, a situation, you are lifting to the Lord in prayer ….  “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”    [Lord’s Prayer]  Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE)   or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”

Expedition Song  – Crown Him with Many Crowns! …. Linda Tuinstra and Keith Winningham

Next Sunday, like we did today – please RSVP to us if you plan to attend so we can properly set up – and please CALL IN or email or text – so we can share with you what the plans will be – whether we will be allowed to continue to meet or not.

We close with this benediction. Repeat after me:

Grow in the grace and knowledge… Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… [repeat]

Empowered by His Holy Spirit… Be His people everywhere… [repeat]

And give Him the glory… Now and forever more…! [repeat]  Amen

Resources: 

https://sermons4kids.com/#sotw; “Unto the Least of These”

*Note: The statistics quoted in this sermon are taken from a resolution by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. (Page 3, Paragraph 3) 

11/08/2020 = Matthew 25:1-13 = “Were You Ready for That?!”

(The internet went kablooey this morning – therefore there is no live stream to watch…. with apologies)

(You can still click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church though – with much thanks)

Mark Wheeler

Matthew 25:1-13                                                                                                                                            

 “Were You Ready for That?!”                                                                                

11/08/2020

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

Welcome to Worship, Church!!!  Simon says, “Don’t give up your hope!” (That was a throw-back to last week’s sermon – and to the crazy election ballot counting we’re still in the midst of!)  May we model how to get along, listen and speak respectfully with people, with brothers and sisters in Christ, with whom we might disagree! 

It is such an honor to be gathered in God’s name, or even on-line – during this Covid season! So it is with heartfelt gratitude that we are here (or “here”) this morning. We enter this time together from all sorts of our own worries and fears, pains and hurts, responsibilities and burdens, hopes and dreams; I invite you to be very present in this time of gathered worship and prayer – allow our Good Shepherd to share your yoke, and look to Him for strength and comfort.  Welcome, Church!

May the Peace of Christ be with you!

If you haven’t had the chance to greet each other yet – let’s take a second right now, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home.

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

For those who made it into the building this morning – thank you for wearing your masks and following the seating and walking protocols. We do this not to protect ourselves from others, but to protect others from ourselves. Because we love each other, we wear masks and keep distance to keep each other safe from this “invisible potential enemy”. The COVID numbers are still peaking in the greater Spokane area – let’s not give them an opportunity to climb even higher. Our Elders are listening to CDC guidelines and deciding on what seems best practices for each others’ safety. We love you, and we want everyone to be and to stay well.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Feel free to laugh at our efforts … and pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

Listen now and join in as Deanna leads us in our Call to Worship, from Psalm 70 – listen carefully for how the Psalmist cries for God’s help! And  pray with the Psalmist as you follow along.

Our song of praise today answers the Psalm 70 plea for help!  – What If It Were Today? – led by Julie on the piano.

Through the Written Word, 

And endorsed by our spoken word,

May we know Your Living Word, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I had lunch on Thursday with a friend and colleague, a pastor whom I deeply respect and admire – and with whom I have nearly diametrically opposite opinions about things political…. So I asked him how he was going to preach on the Sunday following a very divisive election.  He told me he was starting a series on the book of Revelation! Perfect! Right?!

I told him that we were continuing our series through Matthew, and this Sunday’s passage was about being ready … for anything!

2020 has been the year most of us wish we could forget!  There have been good things – I count at least three great-grandchildren born this year to our congregation!! And there have been a few weddings!

But, boy-o-boy, the floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and fires; the novel corona virus pandemic; the racial uproars over police brutality; and the politics … debates that turned shouting matches, name-calling, and what-not!

One thing that we hear over and over again these days is that it’s very important for us to be prepared in case of an emergency. Whether it’s natural disasters, human evils, or political fear-mongering – we better be ready! Who’s with me here?

I remember when I was in school, we used to have “disaster drills”. Sometimes it was a fire drill. They would ring the school bell three times.  All of the students lined up and marched outside the school building to a safe place. When they were sure it was safe, they rang the bell two times and the students returned to their classrooms. Some of you maybe had tornado drills when the students lined up and marched to a safe room in the center of the building where they would “duck and cover.” The teachers always carried flashlights in case the lights went out. When it was safe, they rang the bell two times  so the students could return to their classrooms. I went to school during the days of “the cold war” and threats of “nuclear bombs”, the bell would ring four times and each student would “duck and cover” under their desks, waiting until the all-clear two-bell alarm would ring.

This year, as soon as the Pandemic news hit our ears, people ran out to the store to stock up on toilet paper – because God-forbid we might have to do more laundry!!

It’s important to be prepared when something unexpected happens. In our school, it was important for all of the students and teachers to know the warning signal, where to go, and the signal that told them it was safe to return to their classrooms. In a tornado drill, the teachers would have to make sure there were batteries in the flashlights and the flashlights were working properly. Being prepared can mean the difference between safe or sorry … so be prepared.

Jesus once told a parable to teach us the importance of being prepared. Listen here to the Word of God … Matthew 25:1-13 …. —- [The screen will show this passage.]

25 ¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

In Jesus‘ story, ten bridesmaids took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Jesus said that five of them were foolish because they had their lamps, but they didn’t bring any extra oil to put in their lamps. When it was time to go out and meet the bridegroom, they were out of oil. The other five were very wise and well-prepared. They had brought plenty of oil for their lamps. When it was time to go out and meet the bridegroom, they were ready.

In this story, the bridegroom represents Jesus and you and I are represented by the bridesmaids. The preparation these bridesmaids make is not simply their oil supply, though. What are the bridesmaids doing in most of this parable? They are waiting! They’re waiting for the Bridegroom! So, while they’re waiting, this is also about focusing on time. How do we invest our time?

One day we’re going to meet Jesus and we must be prepared because we don’t know exactly when He’s coming. So, what are we doing while we’re waiting?!

You and I live today!!! We live in the muck and mire of 2020!  We live in a day when our politics divide us! When our white skin separates us from those with more pigmentation in their skin. When disease, and the politics that surround disease, cause death and division. When we fear for riots from those across the aisle.

What do we do in this day – on these days – while we wait for that un-knowable day of Jesus’ return? How do we live our faith when we struggle to understand and to articulate what we believe about politicians and government actions? Why do we extend any energy on theology and ecclesiology, when we ache so badly from family turmoil and economic emptiness? Are we involved in eradicating systemic poverty? How are we helping to dismantle structural racism? When have we aided in building the culture-crossing Kingdom of God?

The Good News is – the Bridegroom is coming! And in some mystical way, the Bridegroom is already here – we are not alone – for God so loves the world he sent His Son – that we might have abundant life to the full!

The great news is, what we do to prepare is pretty simple. John’s Gospel says we get prepared by receiving and believing! Paul says we are prepared when we believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and confess with our lips that God raised Him from the dead! This is what it means to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength – and to love our neighbor as ourselves!

When we do that, we are ready. [This is where you get to imagine the preacher solo-singing his heart out…]

Give me oil for my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning.

Give me oil for my lamp I pray.

Give me oil for my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning.

Give me oil till the break of day.

And we will sing – Hosanna – sing Hosanna – sing Hosanna to the King of kings.

Sing Hosanna – sing Hosanna – sing Hosanna to the King!

Were you ready for that?

Dear Jesus, we know one day we’ll get to meet You face to face. Help us get ready for that wonderful day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer Page – And now – call out a name, a place, a people, a situation, you are lifting to the Lord in prayer ….  “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”    [Lord’s Prayer]  Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE )   or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”

Expedition Song  – Jesus Is Coming Again! ….

Next Sunday, like we did today – please RSVP to us if you plan to attend so we can properly set up – and please CALL IN or email or text – so we can share with you what the plans will be – whether we will be allowed to continue to meet or not.

We close with this benediction. Repeat after me:

Grow in the grace and knowledge… Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… [repeat]

Empowered by His Holy Spirit… Be His people everywhere… [repeat]

And give Him the glory… Now and forever more…! [repeat]  Amen

Resources: 

https://sermons4kids.com/#sotw; “Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids”

11/01/2020 = All Saints Day = Matthew 23:1-12 = “Proper Personal Positioning”

(Click HERE for the Facebook Live video of this service; service starts at 16:00, sermon starts at 27:00)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood Church)

Mark Wheeler

Matthew 23:1-12                                                                                                                  

 “Proper Personal Positioning”                                                                              

All Saints Day, 11/01/2020

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

Welcome to Worship, Church!!!  It is such an honor to be gathering together in God’s name, or even meeting on-line – during this Covid season! So it is with heartfelt gratitude that we are here (or “here”) this morning. On this All Saints Day – the liturgical day after which Halloween is named – we enter this time together from all sorts of our own worries and fears, pains and hurts, responsibilities and burdens; I invite you to be very present in this time of gathered worship and prayer – allow our Good Shepherd to share your yoke, and look to Him for strength and comfort.  Welcome, Saints!

May the Peace of Christ be with you!

If you haven’t had the chance to greet each other yet – let’s take a second right now, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home.

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

For those who made it into the building this morning – thank you for wearing your masks and following the seating and walking protocols. We do this not to protect ourselves from others, but to protect others from ourselves. Because we love each other, we wear masks and keep distance to keep each other safe from this “invisible potential enemy”. The COVID numbers are still peaking in the greater Spokane area – let’s not give them an opportunity to climb even higher. Our Elders are listening to CDC guidelines and deciding on what seems best practices for each others’ safety. We love you, and we want everyone to be and to stay well.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Feel free to laugh at our efforts … and pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

Listen now and join in as Pastor Kathy leads us in our Call to Worship, from Psalm 34 – listen carefully for the ways the Saints praise the Lord together and pray with the Psalmist as you follow along.

Our song of praise today honors those saints who have gone before us – and this 2020 year there have been many – from our own church: Lolabelle Roloff, Vicki Pierce, Jim Samuel, Loreen Birge, Marguerite Haverfield, Arthilyn Lemley, Kathy Samuel. Doris Thumm, Kermit Delzer. Think of your loved ones and listen Vern reminds us of God’s everlasting presence – The Next Step – led by Julie on the piano.

Through the Written Word, 

And endorsed by our spoken word,

May we know Your Living Word, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have you ever had reservations at a restaurant, remember when that was a thing we could do?, but your reservation got bumped because somebody with clout walked thru the doors without a reservation? The mayor, a well-known millionaire, maybe a celebrity? I mean, maybe they deserve your table,,, but really? Do they?

Or have you ever looked up to someone, admired her leadership, respected his abilities,,, and then found out about some criminal activity or immoral behavior?

That’s what’s happening in today’s Bible story. 

To introduce this passage I’m inviting you to play a round of Simon Says with me, but please listen carefully:

[After a few rounds of Simon Says]    You guys did a great job playing Simon Says. Now let’s play it the opposite way. You still need to listen to me say, “Simon Says” before you do a motion. But, in this Opposite Simon Says, you will do the opposite of what I say. If I say, “Simon says, ‘don’t touch your head,’ you will do the opposite and touch your head.” Ready?

 Simon says, “don’t clap your hands.” Did you clap your hands? That’s right… good.

•  “Simon says, ‘Stand up.’ ” Who stood up? Do the opposite, right?
• “Stand up.” [Still no one should stand up … confusing, right?]
•  “Simon says, ‘Don’t pat your head.’ ”
• “Simon says, ‘Don’t stop patting your head.’ ” Who didn’t stop? Opposite …..
• “Pat your stomach.” Ahhh – Simon didn’t say – but even if he did,,, opposite….
• “Simon says, ‘Don’t practice what you preach.”  – what do you do?

OK, that’s a weird game – but I want you to think carefully about what happens in today’s story from Scripture. Listen for whether Jesus is talking straight to you, or not…..

Listen here to the Word of God … Matthew 23:1-12 …. —- [The screen will show this passage.]

23 ¹ Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

     ⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

     ⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Practice what you preach. What does that mean?

I think it means that if you tell someone to do something, you need to do it, too. Practice what you preach means don’t do the opposite thing that you say. Instead do what you say others should do.

In our Bible story today, Jesus has something to say about “practicing what we preach.” Jesus is talking about the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in the synagogue where people went to worship. Jesus says that everything that they do is done so that others would see them and think how great they were. But they don’t do what they tell other people to do. In fact, they do the opposite! 

What does Jesus tell us to do about teachers like these?

You might think Jesus would say, “Don’t listen to them! You don’t have to do what they say.” But He doesn’t. Jesus says, “Obey these teachers and do everything they say. But do not do what they do, because they do not practice what they preach.” When it comes to living the Christian life, we need to make sure we do what we say. And do so with the proper attitude of humility.

None of us deserve any of the good God brings us. So, humbly, we position ourselves properly as grateful recipients of God’s grace – and then we funnel that grace on to others!

We pray, “Have mercy on my O Lord.” and we live in ways that demonstrate God’s generous, gracious mercy.

Here’s a little poem that would be good to remember:

We can know a lot of Scripture
And have the gift to teach,
But what is more important —
Is to practice what we preach!

Dear God, help us be people who do what we say so that others can see the love of Jesus in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer Page – And now – call out a name, a place, a people, a situation, you are lifting to the Lord in prayer ….  “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”    [Lord’s Prayer]  Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or CLICK, or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”

Friends, today we experience something that is still new to the whole Christian Community – we get to share Communion, literally, with saints from all over the world!

As a reminder – we are still in an unusual life-circumstance wherein keeping distant from each other is the wise option for health – so this is an unusual, irregular, and not-to-be-made-normal practice.

“Virtual Communion” draws from something in the past (the actual sharing of Communion that we have previously experienced and that we read about in the New Testament) and looks forward to something in the future (the restoration of this practice once the present constraints are relaxed).

This should remind us that our usual practices have exactly the same status!

And we look forward to something even much greater—a feast in the Kingdom of Heaven, where our sharing is not just a morsel, but a fully satisfying abundant feast on God and all His abundant goodness with all of creation. Today, in our homes, or when we are restored back to our Christian communities, we experience a mere foretaste of a much fuller reality.

So … from geographically afar, but in Christ, gathered in His name over our phones, tablets and computers … using whatever elements we might have in our own homes … we invite you to …

Join Pastor Kathy as she leads us in prayer – the words will appear on your screens in just a moment – we’ll keep you muted, but please feel free to pray along with Kathy:

>>>

…  Communion Song: “For All the Saints”

As Christ sat in that Upper Room, with His disciples, He took the simplest elements of the Passover Meal and made them far more powerfully meaningful. For those of you at home, follow along with me, for those here in this room or upstairs in the overflow room, wait until after ….:

Jesus took the “bread”, and He blessed it and broke it, and said, “This is my Body broken for you, every time you eat of this, do so in memory of me” – as we receive the gift of broken bread, “together”, receive also Jesus as the true Bread of Life….

And He took “the cup”, gave thanks and blessed it, saying “this cup is the Cup of Redemption, the New Covenant, my blood shed for the forgiveness of your sins, every time you drink of this, do so in memory of me” – He also said that He would “not drink of the fruit of the vine again until He sees us in Paradise” – so we look forward to when we shall do this together in person, face-to-face again, and even more-so in the Heavenly Kingdom, face-to-face with Jesus Himself! – as we receive the gift of “this” cup poured out, receive also Christ’s abundant love and the cup that runneth over of God’s abundance for all!

For those gathered here, our Deacons will serve you, if you require help in opening the sealed wafer and cup, just raise your hand, someone will be by to help.

Expedition Song finishes our Communion Hymn, by declaring that “all the saints” from every coast, in every color, from every language and nation call us all to sing God’s praise!  – For All the Saints! ….

Next Sunday, like we did today – please RSVP to us if you plan to attend so we can properly set up – and please CALL IN or email or text – so we can share with you what the plans will be – whether we will be allowed to continue to meet or not.

We close with this benediction. Repeat after me:

Grow in the grace and knowledge… Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… [repeat]

Empowered by His Holy Spirit… Be His people everywhere… [repeat]

And give Him the glory… Now and forever more…! [repeat]  Amen

Resources: 

https://sermons4kids.com/#sotw; “Practice What You Preach”