Sunday, May 15, 2022 - How does God love you when your life is messy?
Online Playlist
Welcome
*Hymn 65 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (In Person Only)
(verse one)
*Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
*Hymn 65 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (In Person Only)
(verse two)
Prayer for Letting Go (responsive) (In Person Only)
Assurance of God’s Love (responsive) (In Person Only)
Hymn 65 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (In Person Only)
(verse three)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 9:1-4 Common English Bible Translation
Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?” (Question: Have you ever been hurt by some of your decisions?)
Hymn 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See (In Person Only)
(verse one)
Acts 9:5-9
Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.” Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything. (Question: Has there ever been a moment to change the course of your life for the better?)
Acts 9:10-14
In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He answered, “Yes, Lord.” The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.” Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. He's here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”(Question: What makes you hesitant to give or receive help?)
Hymn 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See (In Person Only)
(verse two)
Acts 9:15-18
The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me – Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. (Question: Have ever felt like someone was in your life at just the right moment?)
Hymn 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See (In Person Only)
(verse three)
Acts 9:19-22
After eating, he regained his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared. Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, “Isn’t he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn’t he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
(Question: What gives you strength to make life changing decisions?)
Hymn 761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (In Person Only)
(verse one)
Reflection Together (In Person Only)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
In life and in death we belong to God. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.
Special Music (In Person Only)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
*Closing Hymn 838 Standing on the Promises (In Person Only)
(first & fourth verses)
*Benediction
Hymn List
65 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
451 Open My Eyes, That I May See
761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
838 Standing on the Promises
Sermon Series – The questions that gnaw at us
May 22nd – How does God respond to your pain?
May 29th – What can God help you to let go of?
June 5th – Who is God calling you to be?
June 12th – Finding your voice when you feel like no one is listening?