October 23, 2022
Nomofomo
Next Sunday (10/30) - Blessing of the Animals, Halloween Edition! We’ll meet at Westover Park, Shelter #1 at exactly 10ish. Bring your pets in Halloween costumes (and YES, there will be prizes for the best pet costumes!!)
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PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY
JK Ancell
Opening Song
Brent Holl
“Stay True”
CHORUS:
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true ....
Stay true to justice and try to stand your ground
In this world of oppression and violence all around
You know there’s strength in many numbers
But there’s strength in just a few
Stay true to you
CHORUS
Stay true to helping the stranger in need
Stay true while waiting just like a mustard seed
Help us stay true to other’s
And no matter what we do
Stay true to you
CHORUS
Stay true to freedom the truth will set us free
Stay true to loving that’s how we want to be
Help us stay true to neighbors
no matter where they be
Stay true to thee
CHORUS
And you know there’s gods of deterrence and gods of gold
Gods of selfish ego and gods of power untold
Stay true to the God of mercy,
justice and peace
Stay true to thee
Theological Reflection
Adam King
Chris Zepp
What is a parable? Why did Jesus so often speak in parables?
Matthew 13:31-32, CEB
31 He told another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. 32 It’s the smallest of all seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches.”
Let’s make sure we understand the details (remember - Jesus is telling listeners what they already know and it makes sense to them - but we may not know). What’s the big deal with mustard? Was Jesus a huge fan of condiments?
Define the “Kingdom of Heaven” - what is that? Why does he talk about it so much?
What is the point here, Jesus? What lessons can we learn? What is imeless in this message and what can we learn? (Intersection of this ancient story and our lives)
Is there any way that this parable speaks to you personally at this point in your journey?
TEXT YOUR questions to 833-803-0868
COMMUNION
SONG
Brent Holl
“How Can I Keep FRom SInging”
~Pete Seeger
My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear its music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
and hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
how can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin,
I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway clears,
since first I learned to love it.
The peace from love makes fresh my heart,
a song of hope is ringing.
All things are mine, since truth I’ve found.
How can I keep from singing?
Final BLESSING
Adam King