Call to Worship

         Listen to God’s Word as translated by the pastor of a small Baptist church in Melbourne, Australia. He calls his resource "Laughing Bird," named after the Kookaburra, a bird peculiar to that land "down under." May we hear God speak "down under, up over, and all around us, as these words draw us to Him in worship. Listen.

Psalm 111

"Holy and Awesome"

         A few years ago, on our family's big trip west, we visited Sequoia National Park. There we stood beside some really, really big trees. They were awesome. I brought some pictures along to show you just how big they are. Look...   I think Christopher and Alex saw some trees like this on their trip this past summer, only I think those were Redwoods, not Sequoias.
         Standing in front of one of them made me feel pretty small. It also made me feel quiet. The forest itself was quiet, but the quiet I'm remembering was on the inside. It's sort of like how I feel when I think about God. God is just so big, taller than any tree, that's for sure. Bigger than me - bigger than all us human beings, all together. Greater than this world, the whole solar system. Our Jewish friends sometimes say God is the "Master of the Universe." Our Muslim friends call him "Allah," which is another word for God. God is much bigger than all the things people sometimes do, by mistake, in his name.
         The Bible says that God's name is "holy and awesome." (Psalm 111:9) When we think of God, it makes us quiet inside, because God is so big. God is awesome!  Before we do things which may be a mistake, we need to think of God and become quiet inside. When we do this, God helps us. Would you pray with me?

      Dear God, thank you for giant Sequoia trees, and for what they teach us about you. Help us to be still and know that you are God, even when bad things happen around us. Thank you for these children. May they grow tall, also. Amen.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         Yes, God is holy and awesome ... like a mighty Sequoia tree, only much greater... As you return your tithes and offerings, consider what Jesus said about our connection to God, likening it not to a mighty tree, but rather to a grapevine. Listen.
         "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)
         Sisters and brothers, let us "abide in" him, and "bear much fruit." Will the ushers come forward to serve.

Prayer

         O God, as the sap flows through the vine and provides nutrition to the branches, so may your blessings flow into our lives, that we might bear your fruit. May it be a healing fruit, for this world sorely needs healing. This we pray in the name of the One who said, "I am the Vine." Amen.

Scripture Selections
(New Revised Standard Version ©1989, Division of Christian Education
 of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.)

1 - From the Hebrew Bible we hear the shifting of a proverb from a curse to a blessing.

2 - Listen to God speak.

1 - "Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say,

2 - ‘I will do to others as they have done to me; I will pay them back for what they have done.’" (Proverbs 24:28-29)

1 - From the Gospel our Lord, listen to Jesus,

2 - "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

1 - "If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

2 - "Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

1 - "Do to others as you would have them do to you.

2 - "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

1 - "If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

2 - "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

1 - "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." (Luke 6:27-38)

2 - Yes, Jesus said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Furthermore, he also said this:

1 - "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

2 - "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13)

Closing Unison Prayer

Gracious God,
         grant that the words we have heard this day
         may be so grafted within our hearts
         that they bring forth fruit
         to the honor and praise of your name,
         through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  AMEN

# 752, adapted from "Order of Worship," Worship the Lord.
Reformed Church in America and Eerdmans Publishing Co., ©1987