Sunday, March 21, 2021 - Building, Rebuilding, Living Our Lives
Theme - Preparing to Dance: Building, Rebuilding, Living Our Lives
Prayer
Nehemiah 1:1-3 Common English Bible Translation
These are the words of Nehemiah, Hacaliah’s son. In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They told me, “Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!” (Question: What are the things that have hurt, complicated, or destroyed the way we live?)
Nehemiah 1:4-6, 11
When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said: “Lord God of heaven, great and awesome God, you are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who love you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I now pray before you night and day for your servants, the people Israel. “I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. “Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man! (Question: What is your response when you are confronted with having to change direction in your life?)
Nehemiah 2:1-5
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the king was about to be served wine. I took the wine and gave it to the king. Since I had never seemed sad in his presence, the king asked me, “Why do you seem sad? Since you aren’t sick, you must have a broken heart!” I was very afraid and replied, “May the king live forever! Why shouldn’t I seem sad when the city, the place of my family’s graves, is in ruins and its gates destroyed by fire?” The king asked, “What is it that you need?” I prayed to the God of heaven and replied, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, please send me to Judah, to the city of my family’s graves so that I may rebuild it.” (Question: What gives you the energy to build or rebuild some aspect of your life?)
Nehemiah 2:11-15
When I reached Jerusalem and had been there for three days, I set out at night, taking only a few people with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God was prompting me to do for Jerusalem, and the only animal I took was the one I rode. I went out by night through the Valley Gate past the Dragon’s Spring to the Dung Gate so that I could inspect the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down, as well as its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I went to the Spring Gate and to the King’s Pool. Since there was no room for the animal on which I was riding to pass, I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I turned back and returned by entering through the Valley Gate. (Question: How have you discerned, which direction you need to take in life?)
Nehemiah 2:16-20
The officials didn’t know where I had gone or what I was doing. I hadn’t yet told the Jews, the priests, the officials, the officers, or the rest who were to do the work. So I said to them, “You see the trouble that we’re in: Jerusalem is in ruins, and its gates are destroyed by fire! Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we won’t continue to be in disgrace.” I told them that my God had taken care of me, and also told them what the king had said to me. “Let’s start rebuilding!” they said, and they eagerly began the work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and made fun of us. “What are you doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” The God of heaven will give us success!” I replied. “As God’s servants, we will start building. But you will have no share, right, or claim in Jerusalem.” (Question: What are the aspects of your life that you want to build or rebuild?)
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
Standing on the Promises – 838 GTG
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken – 81 GTG
Great Is Thy Faithfulness – 39 GTG
I Will Call upon the Lord – 621 GTG
Guiding Scripture for Lent
Psalm 30:11-12
“You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Practices to Focus upon During this Season of Lent and Beyond
Prayer – setting a time/alarm twice a day pray/converse with God
-Being open about struggles
-Talking to God about those we love
-Opening ourselves up to following God’s guidance and wisdom
Picking a book in the Bible. Reading a few verses every day.
-Asking questions, noting new insights
-Possible books: Ruth, Proverbs, Mark, Philippians, Colossians
Consuming something every day that helps one to thrive
-Books, Media, Music, Art, Conversations, Podcast, Exercise, Eating habits, etc.…
Checking in with different people every day
-Focusing on cultivating connections
Meditation – Silence
-Taking a few minutes every day to be silent
Lenten Series: Preparing to Dance February 21st – March 28th
Mar 28th – Confidence that We can Dance
Holy Week Schedule
April 1st – Maundy Thursday (Online Only)
April 4th – Easter (Reservation Only) - 2 Worship Times. Please call the church office. Easter Service will also be online
9:30am – Worship with Communion
11:00am – Worship with Communion
Easter Series: Sustainable Hope