We are unable to have worship services together because of the record snow, but we still can worship God in our own homes. After the big snow on Dec. 20, our Bishop Peggy Johnson sent out a reflection encouraging all of us to go back to the roots of the Christian movement - house churches - and worship with our friends and family who live nearby. God deserves our praise, no matter where we may be!
Enjoy this Sunday as a Sabbath (in between shoveling!), a day to rest in God's grace, reflect on the awesome power of our God who creates, who saves, who redeems, and who loves, and be in prayer for our community and world.
Below is a sample of how you can worship in your home tomorrow.
Call to Worship
Holy is the Lord! God’s love pours down upon us. Let the name of the Lord be praised! With our hearts and our spirits, we raise our voices joyfully in praise of God’s mighty presence in our lives.
Let our voices praise God continually. Let all that we do and say and think reflect our love of God. Alleluia! Amen. (worshipconnection.org)
Let our voices praise God continually. Let all that we do and say and think reflect our love of God. Alleluia! Amen. (worshipconnection.org)
Opening Prayer
We come before you this day, O Lord, feeling unworthy to be called disciples. We could recite the wonderful things we have done, but in our hearts we know that there have been many times when we have chosen not to hear the cries of those in need; not to respond in loving kindness when we have been treated roughly. Forgive us, compassionate God. Fill us again with your healing balm and your love. Set us again on the path to peace and service to others in your holy name. In Christ, Amen. (worshipconnection.org)
Gospel Lesson - Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. (bible.oremus.org)
Reflection
Today, we were going to explore our call to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Simon was minding his own business when Jesus took notice of him and asked for the simple favor of using his boat as a pulpit. When Jesus was finished, he gave Simon the best thank you gift of all, a wonderful favor for his host - a catch of fish so bountiful that his nets started to break. When Simon Peter realized who he had helped, he declared his unworthiness before Jesus. But Jesus called him to a new purpose in life, away from whatever places of sin, of sorrow, of disappointment or pain that Peter had. For Peter to say yes, he had to be willing to leave behind all that held him back from being the full and complete person God had created him to be. It was a scary time to be sure, but one that was irresistable.
In our own lives, Jesus uses different people to call us away from from binds us and into a new life following a savior who demands us to leave all we know but promises to show us the path to becoming all God knows us to be.
Today, spend time reflecting on a time when you felt pulled deeper into a relationship with God through Christ. Who was with you, encouraging your or prompting you? What did you have to give up in order to become a disciple? Write a letter to the person who has helped you on your journey as a disciple. Send it to them this week as an act of worship.
Gospel Lesson - Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. (bible.oremus.org)
Reflection
Today, we were going to explore our call to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Simon was minding his own business when Jesus took notice of him and asked for the simple favor of using his boat as a pulpit. When Jesus was finished, he gave Simon the best thank you gift of all, a wonderful favor for his host - a catch of fish so bountiful that his nets started to break. When Simon Peter realized who he had helped, he declared his unworthiness before Jesus. But Jesus called him to a new purpose in life, away from whatever places of sin, of sorrow, of disappointment or pain that Peter had. For Peter to say yes, he had to be willing to leave behind all that held him back from being the full and complete person God had created him to be. It was a scary time to be sure, but one that was irresistable.
In our own lives, Jesus uses different people to call us away from from binds us and into a new life following a savior who demands us to leave all we know but promises to show us the path to becoming all God knows us to be.
Today, spend time reflecting on a time when you felt pulled deeper into a relationship with God through Christ. Who was with you, encouraging your or prompting you? What did you have to give up in order to become a disciple? Write a letter to the person who has helped you on your journey as a disciple. Send it to them this week as an act of worship.
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