Dear Church Family,

We hope that you will consider worshiping with us this Sunday using the devotion included below. Our focus for the next two weeks will be on maintaining faith in the midst of fear. The sermon attached was originally preached by Pastor David in July of 2017; however its message remains very appropriate for today. May God bless you with comfort and peace that passes all understanding. 
a liturgy for Sunday, March 15, 2020

SILENCE

Set a timer for 5 minutes and use a breath prayer.
On the inhale, mentally say: “Lord, have mercy.”
On the exhale: “Christ, have mercy.”

OPENING WORD

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
     whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
     of whom shall I be afraid?

OPENING SONG


Audrey Assad (length: 4:10)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

We pray for those most vulnerable among us—the elders of our community, those people who have lived long decades and have much wisdom to offer the generations that come after them. Protect their lives. Protect their bodies. We dearly love our relatives, friends, and neighbors who have cared for us when we were young. Now it is our time to care for them. Let your mercy fall upon the oldest among us. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We pray for all healthcare professionals, chaplains, janitors, and all others working in clinics as they care for those infected with the virus. Thank you for their sacrifice. Thank you that they are committed to something bigger than themselves. Protect them from illness even as they work to bring your healing to those who are suffering. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We pray for all students who rely on free/reduced lunches and end up having their schools cancel. Help them not suffer from hunger. Help their parents be able to provide. Give your miraculous manna in the desert, your daily bread, and somehow help us provide for them, too. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We do not just pray for the people of the United States, for we know you have children all over the world. We pray for your children in Italy. We pray for our brothers and sisters in China. We pray for your children in Iran. We pray for our brothers and sisters in South Korea. All over the world, wherever there is fear, wherever there is sickness, let your peace and your healing cover all. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, in a weird way, we thank you for the chance to remember what is truly important in life. So much of what we focus on is petty and centered on self. This is a time when we are shaken by our own fragility and mortality, and our utter dependence on you. Now is the time we remember not just ourselves but all those on this fragile planet you have created, and how ultimately our end is in you. Guide us moving forward, that we not forget the lessons learned from this time. You are our Teacher, our Healer, our Lord, and our Friend. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Amen.
SCRIPTURE

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.   Philippians 4:4-9

 
MESSAGE


Rev. J. David Beam
(originally preached July 30, 2017)

CLOSING PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, that your Body spans time and space, uniting us with our church family across the miles. Thank you that you care for us as a shepherd tends little sheep. Guide us in these uncertain days. We know all days are uncertain, but now we are reminded of it more than before. Yet our certain hope rests in you. You are our Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the end. We thank you and we love you. Amen.