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March 15, 2020
To the Friends and Family of Grace United Church (GUMC): It was a difficult, but I believe necessary, decision to temporarily suspend worship as a gathered Body of Christ, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We will be regularly monitoring the situation and as soon as it is felt we can safely do so, we will resume community worship. Times like this invite us to step up in many ways: 1. Ensuring our pledge or weekly giving continues, ensures the bills continue to be paid. 2. Checking in with friends and family by phone helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and can offer opportunities for shared prayer or devotional time. These calls also help identify people in need of assistance getting groceries or other essentials, but who are unable/fearful of going out or are in need of a call from the pastor. This does not mean you have to do the shopping, but perhaps can find help for them by contacting the pastor. (I will try to be in phone contact with everyone for whom I have numbers during this crisis, but won’t be able to speak with everyone every week) 3. Find new ways to connect with God. Prayer is an essential part of communion with God. For a couple of years now, I have been part of a group that prays “The Lord’s Prayer at noon every day. Perhaps you might set an alarm to remind you and join us today/tomorrow. 4. Protecting the health of the community will mean that we are temporarily discontinuing the availability of showers. (This does not mean church members, but if you are ill we ask you not come into the building.) Jean and others who use the office are still able to come in, but I encourage people to call, rather than come in, if you need something. 5. I will be devising worship plans that you can use at home. If you have an e-mail address, please share it with us/check that we are using the best address. E-mailing the information saves time and money. If you don’t have an e-mail, we will “snail mail” the information to you. 6. Please share God Sightings and prayer requests with the church office so we can include them with worship information. Jean and I will work on a newsletter/bulletin insert to help keep folks abreast of the situation regarding church, etc. but your input will also be helpful. In Romans 5:3b-5 (NRSV) Paul tells the community “We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” This time of not gathering and of avoiding physical contact, in and of itself, causes suffering for some, but we know that God is with us through it all. Let us stay in touch, one with the other, to encourage and care for each other. Yours in Christ, Pastor Ami Sawtelle
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Date: March 22, 2020 4th Sunday in Lent
As we enter into this time of “distant worship,” it has been suggested that we strive to “worship at the same time.” Besides praying “The Lord’s Prayer” together a noon each day, we can use the worship information below for Sunday worship at 10:00 a.m. As you prepare for your time of worship, first prepare a space. Think of things that might make the space special: a cross, a/some candles, sea shell(s), flowers, etc. Have a Bible handy and a hymnal if you have one available. (You are welcome to borrow one from the church, just remember to return it when we are once again able to gather in the sanctuary.) For some, music is an important part of worship, consider adding a device to provide appropriate music to your gathering space. (CD player, MP3, records, iPod . . .) If you are gathering with family, invite them into the space. Turn off the TV and other distractions as you enter into the worship experience. Greeting and Announcements Life in this time of self-isolation/quarantine can be stressful. Be kind to yourself and others around you. Take time to be together reading, watching a movie on the TV, playing board games or doing a jigsaw puzzle. Also, spend time alone, allowing yourself the space to silently scream about what is happening. If you have children at home, find creative ways to help them learn. Trivia games can help learn about history and geography, create your own cards to make them age appropriate by using ½ of a 3x5 card. Cook or do things like measuring a room to calculate the amount of paint needed for a wall. There are numerous ideas available on the internet or from their teachers. The phone at the church will be checked regularly for messages and, as long as I am in the house, I will answer the church line as well as my personal one: 222-5247. If you have a prayer request, are just in need of someone to speak with, or need help getting food or other essentials, please call and I will do what I can, to include adding prayer requests to the prayer list. If you leave a message on my personal voice mail, I will likely get back to you more quickly than if it is on the church machine, but I will get back to you either way. If you have an email address, please let us know so we can discontinue sending you a paper copy. Please email: [email protected] with email address. If you no longer want to receive an email or a paper copy, leave a message at 222-9062. Lighting of our Light of Peace and our Prayer for Peace Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: so mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all people and nations may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God, to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen. *Opening Hymn: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” #381 UMH *Call to Worship: (Ephesians 5, John 9) When the world is dark and full of hate and fear, when we cannot see God we will turn on the light. When we cannot find our way back to love and peace we will turn on the light. When our vision dims due to the darkness within we will turn on the light. Christ opens our eyes with the gift of sight. The light of the world is Jesus Christ. Come and worship the one who brings sight to the blind. Hallelujah! Praise God, the light of the world! *Prayer of the Day (in unison): (Ephesians 5, John 9) Gracious God, who created us in God’s own image, we are grateful for all that you have done for us, for all that you are doing in us, and for all that you will do through us. Open our eyes to see your presence among us, moving in powerful ways at all times and in all places. Open our ears to hear familiar words in new ways-- ways that will change us and challenge us to become the people you created us to be. Grant us the power and the courage to come out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ, that we may serve you by serving others. We love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen. Celebrating God Sightings and Sharing Concerns This is a time to review the prayer list that has been already shared and make a list of other prayers to share with the church office so they may be sent out next week. This is also a time to review the previous week and note where God has been present, where the vail has become thin and you have been able to see/hear/feel God’s presence. It is also a time to give thanks for personal health, a place to stay, food and the many gifts God has provided in our lives. Spend time asking for God’s healing, patience and mercy, then spend time in silence, listening for God’s response. Pastoral Prayer (ending with the Lord's Prayer) (Following each petition, pause to think of those you know that might be a part of the group lifted, then respond, “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”) God of grace and mercy, we are afraid, we are frustrated, we are already tired of being stuck with little chance for socializing in our community. Forgive our weakness and help us remember that we are not in this alone. · Keep safe our first responders, healthcare workers and all who put their own health and life on the line to care for those who are affected by this pandemic. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For those who are sick, we ask your healing. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For those who are dying, ease their fears, bring them peace and comfort their families in this time of grief. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For the vulnerable in our community, the aged, those with pre-existing conditions, those that are more likely to be exposed to this virus, keep them safe and healthy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For the hungry, help us find ways to feed them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For those without shelter, help us find ways to obtain housing. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For those with mental health issues, bring peace, healing and strength. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. · For those with addictions, strengthen their resolve to step away, remove the desire and fill the emptiness with your love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We know you are a God of love and of hope, as we continue our journey through this difficult time, help us keep our focus on the hope that comes from you, and to know that this will eventually pass and we will again be with our friends and families out and about in our community. Guide us strengthen us and keep us in this and all times. (ARS 2020) And now, as Jesus taught his disciples, so may we be bold to pray: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Special Music (take some time in silence or with music that feeds you as you prepare to read the scriptures. Scripture Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Message Take time to read through all of the scriptures once. Select one that seems to speak more strongly to you and read it again, more slowly, looking for words or phrases that stick out, that call for your attention. Spend some time in silence letting the words settle into your soul. Read the Scripture one more time, listening for God’s love and hope in the midst of our time of struggle. Take some more time in silence or, if you have family members present, share some of your thoughts about the scripture. *Hymn: “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” #138 UMH Bringing our Gifts Before God (Take time to place your offering in and envelope so you can send/drop it to/at the church office.) God has always walked with us. God continues to walk with us. God sends us out to care for others. As you offer your gifts to God, know that this is what helps us to continue to serve God in the Bradford, VT area, feeding the hungry, helping house the homeless and providing space for people to encounter God. *Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Offering Prayer (in unison): (Psalm 23) God of light and love and peace, we praise your name for leading us in paths of righteousness, that we may come into your presence, forgiven and free. We give you thanks for guiding us to this place: where we may rest beside the still waters of your grace, where we are filled with the good gifts of your goodness and mercy. We worship you with all that we are, and we bless your name for all that we will be as we continue on our journey-- a journey that leads us to your kingdom, where we will dwell with you forever. We offer you these gifts, that you might bless them and send them out into the valley of the shadow of death, and everywhere in need of your light. Amen. *Hymn: “It Is Well with My Soul” #377 UMH *Blessing, Sending Forth Know that God sent Jesus, The Good Shepherd, to watch over us and guide us. The Holy Spirit is with us, even in the midst of the struggles of our current time. Stay home, stay connected by phone and internet and share the love God has for all peoples. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit, Amen. Unless otherwise noted, liturgy today by Sharon McCart, from Ministry Matters: Worship Elements: March 22, 2020. https://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/4792/worship-elements-march-22-2020. |
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