Sunday, May 2, 2021 - Cultivating Practices that Matter

Theme - Sustainable Hope: Cultivating Practices that Matter

Prayer

Creative God, guide us through scripture this day to a deeper understanding of how we can practice your sustainable hope. May your wisdom bring us to new possibilities. Amen. 

Jeremiah 29:1-3                            Common English Bible Translation

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the few surviving elders among the exiles, to the priests and the prophets, and to all the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem. The letter was sent after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the government leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen and smiths had left Jerusalem. It was delivered to Babylon by Elash, Shaphan’s son, and Gemariah, Hilkiah’s son – two men dispatched to Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar by King Zedekiah. (Question: What are the relationships that are most important to us? Why are they the most important?)

Jeremiah 29:4-7

The Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims to all the exiles I have carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. Get married and have children; then help your sons find wives and your daughters find husbands in order that they too may have children. Increase in number there so that you don’t dwindle away. Promote the welfare to the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare. (Question: What are the things you practice that enhance your life?)

Hymn          All Who Love and Serve Your City        (In Person Only)

Jeremiah 29:8-9

The Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: Don’t let the prophets and diviners in your midst mislead you. Don’t pay attention to your dreams. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn’t send them, declares the Lord. (1 Jn 4:9, 11) This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other. (Question: How do you decide what words, actions, and practices guide your life?)

Jeremiah 29:10-11

The Lord proclaims: When Babylon’s seventy years are up, I will come and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. (1 Jn 4:16) We have known and have believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them. (Question: How do you practice peace?)

Hymn             Praise Ye the Lord                  (In Person Only)

Jeremiah 29:12-14

When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. I will be present for you, declares the Lord, and I will end your captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you, and I will bring you home after your long exile, declares the Lord. (1 Jn 4:18) There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. (Question: In what ways do you recognize how God is with you in your life?)

Reflection Together              (In Person only)

Hymn             This is My Father’s World                  (In Person Only)

Offering Ourselves to God

       During this time let us reflect upon and commit ourselves to how we can connect to God through giving of our time, our thoughts, our resources, and our actions.

Hymn     My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less    

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

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Benediction

Hymn   Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee   

Hymn List

Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator – 18 GTG

All Who Love and Serve Your City – 351 GTG

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less – 353 GTG

This is My Father’s World – 370 GTG

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – 611 GTG

Praise Ye the Lord – 633 GTG

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Guiding Scripture for the Easter Season

Isaiah 33:2

“Lord, show us favor;

    we hope in you.

Be our strength every morning,

   Our salvation in times of distress.”

Easter Series: Sustainable Hope April 18th – May 16th

May 9th – Insight into Thriving

May 16th – Being a Hopeful Presence