Scripture: Various
The choir sang the song “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” and the scripture readings reflect, by verse, the references in this song. Not all, but enough to give folks a reminder of what the song talks about. Here is what was read:
Scripture for July 29, 2018
Reflects the lyrics of “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Doris: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep waters, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. And God said,
Mark: “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”
Doris: And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Pause
Mark: After the Red Sea, Moses praised God,
Doris: “At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’
Mark: But the people did not remember.
Doris: “So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!
Mark: The Lord said to Moses,
Doris: “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it. I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are.
Pause
Doris: Joseph went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a stable, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Mark: And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.
Doris: When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were in the city of Jerusalem, all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Pause
Mark: Paul repeats the words of the prophet Joel, saying, “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
Doris: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
Mark: And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”
Sermon: A Synopsis
for download: 180729_0901
Prayer
I did not write a prayer. So you will have to listen to it.