PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“The only way to eliminate the darkness around us is to be the light ourselves, instead of throwing other people under the bus.”
― Abhijit Naskar in Askanjali: The Sufi Sermon
CALL TO WORSHIP
All are welcome to this common sacred space.
Common, because we are all welcome.
Sacred, because here we transform the ordinary
and attend to the profound.
We carry with us our regrets, doubts, fears, stories, laughter;
may they inspire our worship.
Above all, may we each meet what we need most to find,
On this day, in this common, sacred space.
OPENING HYMN Come, Live in the Light
CHRISTIAN READING Matthew 16:24-28
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
THEME VIDEO The Sufi Festival – Short Film by Zohar Ron – English Sub
SERMON
“Think Global, Act Local: Ocean of Possibility”
Rev. Don Ludwig
Click here to read the sermon text.
SHARING THE PEACE Break Out Room Discussion Questions
- Do you see yourself as a deep-sea fish or a pond fish?
- Do we progressive Christians focus on the “experience of faith” as much as theology & practice?
- What do you need to experience faith more deeply?
GUIDED MEDITATION & PRAYER | Quotes from Abhijit Naskar, Askanjaki: The Sufi Sermon
“Adjusting to inhumanity is an inhumanity itself.”
“Sit still no more, sleep sound no more, eat calmly no more, for the innocent are crying, and you are the only hope they’ve got.”
“Disparities in the world are the reflection of the disparities within us.”
“Ten footsteps with a purpose can give you more joy than a thousand footsteps without purpose.”
“Love is to be lived and felt, not said or heard.”
CORPORATE PRAYER | Written by Rev. Bret S. Myers
O God, our Divine Parent, may your presence be ever revered. May your peace and justice dwell among us. May your love and compassion live within and between us. Nourish us daily with the necessities of life; sustenance for our bodies, and inspiration for our spirits. And may the forgiveness we give be that which we receive; the kindness we show be that which we perceive. Lead us on virtuous paths, and distance us from evil. For your world is our world, and your reign our reign; then, now, and always.
A-men.
RESPONSIVE HYMN | “Take Up Your Cross,” by Steve Millikan, Ray Boltz and Jane Johannson-Knoedler. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
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 Amanda at 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.
FINAL BLESSING & BENEDICTION
“Clouds have gathered overhead, days have gone dark, there is no time to wait, hope and pray, you the sun must rise right away.”
― Abhijit Naskar, Askanjaki: The Sufi Sermon
