Sunday, October 3, 2021 - What does Jesus change? Our Perspective

Theme: What does Jesus change? Our Perspective

Hymn      Be Thou My Vision     (In Person Only)

Welcome

 

Prayer for God’s Presence

John 9:18-23                                Common English Bible Translation

The Jewish leaders didn’t believe the man had been blind and received his sight until they called for his parents. The Jewish leaders asked them, “Is this your son? Are you saying he was born blind? How can he now see?” His parents answered, “We know he is our son. We know he was born blind. But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who healed his eyes. Ask him. He’s old enough to speak for himself.” His parents said this because they feared the Jewish authorities. This is because the Jewish authorities had already decided that whoever confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be expelled from the synagogue. That’s why his parents said, “He’s old enough. Ask him.” (Question: How does fear impact your reactions?)

John 9:24-27

Therefore, they called a second time for the man who had been born blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know this man is a sinner.” The man answered, “I don’t know whether he’s a sinner. Here’s what I do know: I was blind and now I see.” They questioned him: “What did he do to you? How did he heal your eyes?” He replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” (Question: How do you handle experiences that seem to be unexplainable?)

Hymn      Open My Eyes, That I May See     (In Person Only)

John 9:28-33

They insulted him: “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses, but we don’t know where this man is from.” The man answered, “This is incredible! You don’t know where he is from, yet he healed my eyes! We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners. God listens to anyone who is devout and does God’s will. No one has ever heard of a healing of the eyes of someone born blind. If this man wasn’t from God, he couldn’t do this.” (Question: When do you find it easiest to listen to others and when do you find it to be the hardest?)

John 9:34

They responded, “You were born completely in sin! How is it that you dare to teach us?” Then they expelled him. (Question: How do you determine who is part of your community or not?)

John 9:35-38

Jesus heard they had expelled the man born blind. Finding him, Jesus said, “Do you believe in the Human One?” He answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you.” The man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Jesus. (Question: Who has helped change your perspective about the world around you?)

Prayer for Letting Go (In Person Only)

Hymn Lord Listen to Your Children Praying

Prayer for Experiencing God’s Grace    (In Person Only)

In Preparation for Communion let us reflect on these Words from the hymn For Everyone Born

For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

Hymn       For Everyone Born      (In Person Only)

The Lord’s Supper

Invitation

Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Words of Institution

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

Benediction

Closing Hymn  The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing  (In Person Only)

Hymn List

450 Be Thou My Vision

451 Open My Eyes, That I May See

469 Lord, Listen to Your Children Playing

505 The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing

769 For Everyone Born

Sermon Series September 26 – October 24th

Theme: What does Jesus change?

October 10th – Our Values

October 17th – Our Priorities

October 24th – Our Relationships