Each week, during this time when we aren’t meeting together in person, we will be posting some ideas about how you can worship this weekend and live out our call to Love God and Love our Neighbors. These are things you can do with all ages, in solitude or with others.
Let us worship the Lord together as we celebrate this unique Palm Sunday!
The Word: This week, we will be reading together Mark 11:1-10. I am putting together a worship video this week as we begin Holy Week. The video will be online by 8am Sunday morning, and you can access it through the SOTH Connections FaceBook page, or by going here: www.heather-james.com
Action: Take the opportunity this Holy Week to be a constant learner. To read the accounts of Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem and journey to the cross with the backdrop of our 2020 world. To pick up a book or initiate a conversation with someone about following Jesus. Extra points if you choose someone with a different perspective than your own. Let your learning enrich your faith.
Something for our Younger Ones: This would be a good week to create your own set of Resurrection Eggs – telling the story of Holy Week one item at a time. Here is one set of instructions, but there are many online.
Service: Let’s lay down our coats for Jesus this week – do you have a winter coat you no longer use that you could donate for those in need? At the time of this writing, the Salvation Army in Puyallup (17407 Meridian E.) is still accepting donations. Or set aside your donation for when you are able to gift it to one of the shelters or organizations in your area.
Prayer: You are invited to join the SOTH community for a time of prayer – pausing at 6:00pm on Sunday nights, and know that others are praying with you as well. This week, spend five minutes praying for members of SOTH as they come to mind. Then close with offering God your gratitude and praise.
Almighty God, Giver of all mercies, we thank you for your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all. We bless you for creation, for the gift of life, and for the joy of the connection we share with others. We bow in gratitude for the incomparable love you have shown us by redeeming this world through the grace and gift of Jesus Christ. Fill us with wonder at the grace of your mercies, with thankfulness that we may make known your praise. All glory and honor to you, oh Lord our God. Amen.
Welcome to this week’s edition of the weekly Worship Invitation email!
Each week, during this time when we aren’t meeting together in person, we will be emailing you some ideas about how you can worship this weekend and live out our call to Love God and Love our Neighbors. These are things you can do with all ages, in solitude or with others.
Let us worship the Lord together!
The Word: This week, we will be reading together Ezekiel 37:1-14. Spend some time this weekend in a quiet space reading and reflecting on the passage – and listen for the word of life.
Action: This week, I invite you to keep a gratitude list. You can keep this list in your personal journal, calendar, or on a piece of scrap paper on your nightstand. Every morning and evening, write down three things you are grateful for in our world. (Six things a day, right?) Throughout the week, notice how a practice of gratitude shapes your view of life and how you experience God’s Spirit at work breathing life in you.
Something for our Younger Ones: Here’s a 31 day gratitude journal you can print for your kids: grateful. Who am I kidding? We should ALL print one out! Thanks to www.heartandgratitude.com for the resource!
Service: Write a thank you card (or heart felt email) to someone who has helped to show you God’s love during your life. Bonus points if you can honor and thank someone who showed up a time when you felt dry or lifeless, and brought hope when it was most needed.
Song: Craig and Eric (from Shepherd of the Hill) put together a fun gift for you. Click here for I Could Sing of Your Love Forever. Feel free to sing along!
Prayer: We will be pausing at 6:00pm on Sunday nights, to pray together where we are and know that others are praying as well. This week, I encourage you to begin with gratitude to God, remember those in need, join in this written prayer, and close with the Lord’s Prayer.
Gracious God, God of all compassion and consolation, your breath alone brings life to dry bones and weary souls. Pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may face despair and death with the hope of resurrectionand faith through Christ, our Lord. Help us to dance with the spirit, the breath of life, which calls us out of the valley of dry bones and into the Kingdom of God, both a present reality and the grounding of our future hope. Holy Father, Father of Christ who revealed the way of life, inscribe your law on our hearts that in this life, we may be the body of Christ. Help our hands to hold the sick and suffering. Help our feet to walk with the poor. Help our ears to listen to those who live in despair. May our eyes be affixed upon the suffering of the cross and the hope of the empty tomb so that we may live as resurrection people. (excerpted from this pastoral prayer)
Welcome to this week’s Worship Invitations – ideas for how you can worship this weekend and live out our call to Love God and Love our Neighbors.These are things you can do with all ages, in solitude or with others.
Let us worship the Lord together!
The Word: Here is the President of Whitworth University, Beck Taylor, preaching on Mark 10, and what it means to let Jesus heal us and bring us sight. I found this message thoughtful and thought provoking as I think about what it means to live in both grace and truth at this moment.
Action (based on Mark 10:46-52): 1. Spend some time reflecting on how this current moment invites us to receive new sight. Is there something in this situation that is opening your eyes in a new way to faith and God’s love for you? 2. We hear the cries for mercy increasing from those sitting by the side of the road right now. Put together a few simple food and toiletry items, with a note of encouragement, in a bag (or email the office to have us leave a ‘bag of grace’ outside the office door for you) and find someone in need to give it to this week. As an alternative, consider a gift to a local food bank instead.
Something for our Younger Ones: Given the timing, I just can’t resist – here is a link to one of my favorite Veggie Tale excerpts – The Story of St. Patrick . Like the sermon on Mark 10, this has to do with grace and truth, but also with bravery and perseverance. Enjoy!
Service: Make a plan to be a “stealth blesser” for one of your neighbors this week. Leave a note of encouragement on their doorstep, use chalk to decorate the sidewalk along your street, drop off a treat (probably best to be pre-packaged rather than homemade given the circumstances), or a roll of toilet paper tied with a bow.
Song: Sheri shared this great version of Hold On to the Rock. Take a listen, and you might even want to tap your toes and sing along!
Prayer: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. We want to see. Help us open our hands to receive your care, and open our hearts to care for others in your name. Amen.
Friends, may the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
I recorded a brief pastoral word for the congregation where I am currently serving as the Transitional Pastor – Shepherd of the Hill PCUSA, Puyallup, WA. Sad and glad. Those are the words of the day. We might miss being together, but what an amazing opportunity to live out our call in new and powerful ways.
Welcome to Worship Invitations ~ a weekly tool assisting God’s people in loving God and loving their neighbors well during this time of social distancing.
Each week you will find a series of invitations to help support your faith journey, and to provide an alternative when corporate worship and fellowship is not possible in real space. These are things you can do with all ages, in solitude or with others.
Let us worship the Lord together!
The Word: Take a listen to this wonderful Lectio Divina podcast, Exhale, on John 15:1-5 about remaining in God’s love. Take the opportunity to breathe as you listen and prayerfully reflect on the words.
Action: It’s supposed to be sunny on Sunday. If you are able, walk outside – wander in your garden, walk in a local park, wander around your neighborhood. Breathe fresh air and give thanks for life. Let your kids run and play. Take in the view and enjoy the work of our Creator. Pray for the people you pass, the neighbors in their homes, the people in your home. Remember the words of Acts 17:28: In God, we live and move and have our being.
Something for our Younger Ones: Author Sally Lloyd Jones has a wonderful Lenten guide for kids that uses the stories of The Jesus Storybook Bible. You could jump right in or double up and catch up from the beginning. Also for adults who will be caring for children in the coming weeks – here is an online activity resource: Hands On As We Grow.
Service: Write a note (or email) of encouragement to someone.
Song: Check out this version of Kyrie Eleison by Chris Tomlin. Kyrie eleison means “Lord, Have Mercy.”
Prayer:Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep this day, and give Heaven charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Shield your joyous ones, and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Friends, may the love of God the Father, the saving grace found in Jesus Christ, and the strength of the Spirit guide you and hold you in this day, and always.