Sunday, May 17, 2020 - when we don't know where we will land
Prayer
God who knows our beginning, end and everything in between. Sometimes we feel so helpless as we try to navigate this life of ours. Open us to where your presence is leading us. Give us the strength for this journey and the courage to face whatever may happen. May we not lose sight of your loving care during this time. Amen.
Acts 27:9b-11, 13 Common English Bible Translation
Paul warned them, “Men, I see that our voyage will suffer damage and great loss, not only for the cargo and ship but also for our lives.” But the centurion was persuaded more by the ship’s pilot and captain than by Paul’s advice. When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they could carry out their plan. They pulled up anchor and sailed closely along the coast of Crete. (Question: Have you ever wished you took someone’s advice? Why didn’t you take it?)
Acts 27:14-15, 18-20
Before long, a hurricane-strength wind known as a northeaster swept down from Crete. The ship was caught in the storm and couldn’t be turned into the wind. So we gave in to it, and it carried us along. We were so battered by the violent storm that the next day the men began throwing cargo overboard. On the third day, they picked up the ship’s gear and hurled it into the sea. When neither the sun nor the moon appeared for many days and the raging storm continued to pound us, all hope of our being saved from this peril faded. (Question: Have you ever lost hope? Why?)
Acts 27:21b-26
Paul stood among them and said, “Men, you should have complied with my instruction not to sail from Crete. Then we would have avoided this damage and loss. Now I urge you to be encouraged. Not one of your lives will be lost, though we will lose the ship. Last night an angel from the God to whom I belong and whom I worship stood beside me. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar! Indeed, God has also graciously given you everyone sailing with you.’ Be encouraged, men! I have faith in God that it will be exactly as he told me. However, we must run aground on some island.” (Question: What gives you hope in challenging times?)
Acts 27:27-29
On the fourteenth night, we were being carried across the Adriatic Sea. Around midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was near. They dropped a weighted line to take soundings and found the water to be about one hundred twenty feet deep. After proceeding a little farther, we took soundings again and found the water to be about ninety feet deep. Afraid that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they hurled out four anchors from the stern and began to pray for daylight. (Question: How does your prayer life change during storms of life?)
Acts 27:39, 41-44
In the morning light they saw a bay with a sandy beach. They didn’t know what land it was, but they thought they might possibly be able to run the ship aground. They struck a sandbar and ship ran aground. The bow was stuck and wouldn’t move, and the stern was broken into pieces by the force of the waves. The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming to shore and escaping. However, the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and head for land. He ordered the rest to grab hold of planks or debris from the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely. (Question: What is most fearful about not knowing the outcome of a situation?)
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Blessing
Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)
Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!
When Peace like a River
Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer
Wake Me Up – Avicii
Under Pressure – Queen