Due to the expected dangerous wind chills Chuck Culver, Congregational Moderator, has decided to cancel services tomorrow Feb. 15. Please plan to come together this Ash Wednesday at 7 pm at Grace Chapel. For those who faithfully support the church financially we'll be receiving an offering on Wednesday evening. Please stay home, warm, and safe. If you know of people who might not get the news via email please call to inform. Youth Sunday has also been cancelled for tomorrow, Feb. 15. We will plan to practice Feb. 22 at New Horizons Christian Church at 12:30 and tentatively have the event on March 1st. To Worship from Home: Since we won't gather together in person this Sunday, here is a prayer service (below) to be used for worship at home.God's blessing and peace (and warmth) be with you as we gather in spirit! Love in Christ, Pastor Joel --------------------- Sunday, February 15, 2015 Harmony Springs Christian Church Frigid Cold, Snow, and Generally Bad Weather Sunday 2015 (This service is designed after the Camp Christian Chi-Rho Evening Prayers service order and is thanks to Chad Delaney, pastor of Mantua Center Christian Church (and one we claim) You will need: A candle and match Bible Paper Bread and Juice (if desiring communion) **If worshipping with others, have people take the parts and scripture readings. If worshipping “alone” remind yourself you are not alone and follow the liturgy straight through. CALL TO WORSHIP This is the Day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Wherever we gather we gather as part of the Body of Christ. We remember on this cold and blustery day that sacred time and sacred space is only made sacred by the sincerity of our hearts and the Holy Spirit that is in our midst binding us to one another. We remember that despite the snow and frigid temperatures we find warmth in the love of God, our Creator. Light a Candle. LITANY of LISTENING Leader: The word of the Lord abides forever. (1 Peter 1:25) ALL: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Leader: Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things out of your word. (Psalm 119:18) ALL: Make me understand the way of Your teachings. (Psalm 119:27) THE WORD: STOP Resolutions: ‘Stop saying yes all the time’ In the Bible Luke 10:38-42 Contemporary English Version (CEV) 38 The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 40 Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” 41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” Questions to Ponder:
Like Mary, Have you ever been so captivated by something you missed other things going on around you?
Maybe you are like Martha – task oriented. When we are worried about meeting our own expectations what do we miss?
Some people think busyness is next godliness. Is it?
Do you have trouble saying no to people? (hint: most of us do.)
Read and think about this statement:No is a complete sentence. You owe no one an explanation for not wanting to go out, not wanting to take a drink, not wanting to stay over, not wanting to go to the reunion. How you spend your time is how you spend your life. When we do say no – we always feel like we have to explain. Sometimes its appropriate, but often it is not needed. How do we balance others requests and expectations with our personal health? Q. How do you spend your life?Q. What do you need to say no to so that the best can come to the top? PRAYER and LORD’S PRAYERLoving God, help us all to say yes to you and to know when to say no. Help us recognize the glorification of busyness is our own lives and to know when to say no. Like Mary, may we sit at your feet – captivated by you. Lord, we come to you this morning with many concerns on our hearts and many people on our minds. We lift up prayer for: We lift all these concerns to you and ask that you hear us as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom and the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen. COMMUNION (as you feel comfortable)WelcomeAs we gather around the table of our own homes, we are mindful that we still gather as part of the Body of Christ around Christ’s Table. Christ’s Table is not our own--Christ is the host and we are welcomed with open arms. Words of InstitutionAs we gather around Christ’s Table we remember that on the night that Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread and broke it, gave thanks and said to his Disciples, “This is my body which is give for you, eat of it all of you in remembrance of me.” In like manner he took the cup and blessed it saying, “This is the cup of the new covenant in me, as often as you drink of it do so in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s life, death, and resurrection until he comes again. Remember, all...ALL are welcome at the Lord’s Table. PrayerLord, bless this bread and cup, may it symbolize your broken body given to us so that we might be made whole. May these emblems remind us of the unending grace, forgiveness, and love we know in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. (Share in the Bread and Cup together) BENEDICTIONDespite the cold and bitterness of the weather, may we always feel the light and warmth of God. May we always trust in the promise of spring and new life that is just ahead. May we trust that we are never alone, that we are family together as Harmony Springs Christian Church and no amount of cold or snow can take that away. In all things we place our trust in God and the love offered to us through Jesus Christ. May God's Love surround you, the Holy Spirit keep you, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ attend you, now and forevermore. Amen.