Sunday, July 17, 2022 - How do you find a way forward when so many barriers exist?
Online Playlist
Pre Service Music
Welcome
Hymn 23 God, You Spin the Whirling Planets (In Person Only)
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 12:1-5 Common English Bible Translation
About that time King Herod began to harass some who belonged to the church. He had James, John’s brother, killed with a sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter as well. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. He put Peter in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers, sixteen in all, who guarded him. He planned to charge him publicly after the Passover. While Peter was held in prison, the church offered earnest prayer to God for him. (Question: What situations compel you to pray?)
Hymn 465 What a Friend We Have in Jesus (In Person Only)
Acts 12:6-9
The night before Herod was going to bring Peter’s case forward, Peter was asleep between two soldiers and bound with two chains, with soldiers guarding the prison entrance. Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell. After nudging Peter on his side to awaken him, the angel raised him up and said, “Quick! Get up!” The chains feel from his wrists. The angel continued, “Get dressed. Pet on your sandals.” Peter did as he was told. The angel said, “Put on your coat and follow me.” Following the angel, Peter left the prison, However, he didn’t realize the angel had actually done all this. He thought he was seeing a vision. (Question: Who are the people in your life that help give you hope?)
Acts 12:10-12
They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself. After leaving the prison, they proceeded the length of one street, when abruptly the angel was gone. At that, Peter came to his senses and remarked, “Now I’m certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod and from everything the Jewish people expected.” Realizing this, he made his way to Mary’s house. (Mary was John’s mother; he was also known as Mark.) Many believers had gathered there and were praying. (Question: What do you feel like you need to be rescued from in life?)
Acts 12:13-15
When Peter knocked at the outer gate, a female servant named Rhoda went to answer. She was so overcome with joy when she recognized Peter’s voice that she didn’t open the gate. Instead, she ran back in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. “You’ve lost your mind!” they responded. She stuck by her story with such determination that they began to say, “It must be his guardian angel.” (Question: What are the barriers in your life that you struggle to get through?)
Hymn 701 Lord, Prepare Me (In Person Only)
Acts 12:16-19
Meanwhile, Peter remained outside, knocking at the gate. They finally opened the gate and saw him there, and they were astounded. He gestured with his hand to quiet them down, then recounted how the Lord led him out of prison. He said, “Tell this to James and the brothers and sisters.” Then he left for another place. The next morning the soldiers were flustered about what had happened to Peter. Herod called for a thorough search. When Peter didn’t turn up, Herod interrogated the guards and had them executed. Afterward, Herod left Judea in order to spend some time in Caesarea. (Question: What keeps you from moving forward in life?)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
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. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments. We violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
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 761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (In Person Only)
Benediction
Hymn List
23 God, You Spin the Whirling Planets
465 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
701 Lord, Prepare Me
761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Upcoming Themes for Sunday
July 24th – TBD
July 31st – Being an Influencer that Changes Lives
Aug 7th – Cultivating a Healthy Mindset
Aug 14th – Decision Making that Can Give you New Energy
Aug 21st – Giving Yourself a Chance at a Good Life
Aug 28th – Practices that Can Bring you Freedom