PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“The only kafir or infidel in the world is not the one who
does not believe in God, but the one who does not have
humanity in their heart.”
― Abhijit Naskar in Askanjali: The Sufi Sermon
CALL TO WORSHIP Howard Thurman, “Our Little Lives”
“Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!
The quietness in Thy Temple of Silence again and again rebuffs us:
For some there is no discipline to hold them steady in the waiting
And the minds reject the noiseless invasion of Thy Spirit.
For some there is no will to offer what is central in the thoughts—
The confusion is so manifest, there is no starting place to take hold.
For some the evils of the world tear down all concentrations
And scatter the focus of the high resolves.
War and the threat of war has covered us with heavy shadows,
Making the days big with forebodings—
The nights crowded with frenzied dreams and restless churnings.
We do not know how to do what we know to do.
We do not know how to be what we know to be.
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!
Brood over our spirits, Our Father,
Blow upon whatever dream Thou hast for us
That there may glow once again upon our hearts
The light from Thy altar.
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of lift, of release
That we may find strength for these days—
Courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Thy sustaining grace
Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!”
OPENING HYMN “For Everyone Born,“ First Plymouth Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
Special Music by Samuel Koeman, Sarah Koeman and Aron Racho
HEBREW READING Psalm 118: 1-2, 22-24
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
God’s love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
“God’s love endures forever.”
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
Yes, the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
Let us rejoice today and be glad.
CHRISTIAN READING Romans 8: 35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THEME VIDEO “One Love” by Bob Marley, performed by The Voice Coaches
SERMON
“Think Global, Act Local”
Rev. Don Ludwig
Click here to read the sermon text.
SHARING THE PEACE Whole Group Talk Back Discussion
- How have you rediscovered humanity in your life?
- What keeps your faith in humanity (share a story or act that you have witnessed)?
- Is there a person or group that is hardest for you to love? Explain.
CORPORATE PRAYER Written by Parker J. Palmer
Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother,
Holy and blessed is your true name.
We pray for your reign of peace to come,
We pray that your good will be done.
Let heaven and earth become one.
Give us this day the bread we need,
Give it to those who have none.
Let forgiveness flow like a river between us,
Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days —
Come swiftly Mother, Father, come.
For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy:
Forever your name is All in One. A-men.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love (We are One in the Spirit)”
Minute for Mission, Offering and Announcements:
As we reflect on all of our blessings, individually and as a community, may we consider how we may give of ourselves so that the work of Christ’s love and peace may continue throughout our world.
(Please contact staff@southmin.org to discover simple ways you may give electronically or via mail. Thank you for supporting the staff and on-going ministries of Southminster Presbyterian Church).
DOXOLOGY
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
