Sunday, May 8, 2022 - How do you have healthy boundaries as a Christian?
Online Playlist
Welcome
*Hymn 307 God of Grace and God of glory (In Person Only)
(verses one and two)
*Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
*Hymn 41 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! (In Person Only)
(fourth verse only)
Prayer for Letting Go (responsive) (In Person Only)
Assurance of God’s Love (responsive) (In Person Only)
Hymn 450 Be Thou My Vision (In Person Only)
(first verse only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 4:1-4 Common English Bible Translation
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them. They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus. They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.) Many who heard the word became believers, and their number grew to about five thousand. (Question: How have you felt despair that is created by others?)
Hymn 450 Be Thou My Vision (In Person Only)
(second verse only)
Acts 4:5-9
The next day the leaders, elders, and the legal experts gathered in Jerusalem, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?” then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders of the people and elders, are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him? (Question: What inspires you to do good?)
Acts 4:10-14
If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus. However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal. (Question: What gives you confidence in living the way of Jesus?)
Special Music (In Person Only)
Acts 4:15-18
After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other. “What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it. To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. (Question: How have other people’s negativity impacted what you do or say?)
Acts 4:19-22
Peter and John responded, “It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God. As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened, because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old. (Question: What are you excited to share on a regular basis with others?)
Hymn 750 Goodness Is Stronger than Evil (In Person Only)
(sing through once)
Reflection Together (In Person Only)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
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 700 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (In Person Only)
(first & second verses)
*Benediction
Hymn List
307 God of Grace and God of Glory
450 Be Thou My Vision
700 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
750 Goodness Is Stronger than Evil
Sermon Series – The questions that gnaw at us
May 15th – How does God love you when your life is messy?
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?