Sunday, July 10, 2022 - How do you focus when the distractions keep coming?
Online Playlist
Pre Service Music
Welcome
Hymn 19 God of Great and God of Small (In Person Only)
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 5:17-21 Common English Bible Translation
The high priest, together with his allies, the Sadducees, was overcome with jealousy. They seized the apostles and made a public show of putting them in prison. An angel from the Lord opened the prison doors during the night and led them out. The angel told them, “Go, take your place in the temple, and tell the people everything about this new life.” Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach. When the high priest and his colleagues gathered, they convened the Jerusalem Council, that is, the full assembly of Israel’s elders. They sent word to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. (Question: What do you need to let go of in your life in order to do more good?)
Acts 5:22-26
However, the guards didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, “We found the prison locked and well-secured, with guards standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside!” When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening. Just then, someone arrived and announced, “Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people!” Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn’t use force because they were afraid the people would stone them. (Question: How do your expectations and perceptions in prison you and others?)
Hymn 735 I Need Thee Every Hour (In Person Only)
Acts 5:27-33
The apostles were brought before the council where the high priest confronted them: “In no uncertain terms, we demanded that you not teach in this name. And look at you! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are determined to hold us responsible for this man’s death.” Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than humans! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead-whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior so that he could enable Israel to change its heart and life and to find forgiveness for sins. We are witnesses of such things, as is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When the council members heard this, they became furious and wanted to kill the apostles. (Question: What values are most important for you to live out?)
Acts 5:34-38
One council member, a Pharisee and teacher of the Law named Gamaliel, well-respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the man be taken outside for a few moments. He said, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you intend to do to these people. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and some four hundred men joined him. After he was killed, all of his followers scattered, and nothing came of that. Afterward, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got some people to follow him in a revolt. He was killed too, and all his followers scattered far and wide. Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin. (Question: Who has been helpful in your life in giving you new perspectives?)
Hymn 321 The Church’s One Foundation (In Person Only)
Act 5:39-42
If it originates with God, you won’t be able to stop them. Instead, you would actually find yourselves fighting God!” The council was convinced by his reasoning. After calling the apostles back, they had them beaten. They ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, then let them go. The apostles left the council rejoicing because they had been regarded as worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the name. Every day they continued to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ, both in the temple and in the houses. (Question: When has there been a time when you were able to rejoice after making a really difficult decision?)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Belhar Confession
We believe that God has revealed God’s self as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people; that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged; that God calls the church to follow God in this; for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry; that God frees the prisoner and restores sight to the blind; that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly; that God wishes to teach the church to do what is good and to seek the right; that in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others.
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 839 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine! (In Person Only)
Benediction
Hymn List
19 God of Great and God of Small
321 The Church’s One Foundation
735 I Need Thee Every Hour
839 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!
Upcoming Themes for Sunday
July 17th – How do you find a way forward in life when so many barriers exist?
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