Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!
And greetings from me, Derek, Pastor Lisa’s backup this for this week’s worship service, while she is on vacation.
Ann and I have been back-and-forth with each other this week, planning Sunday worship, and we look forward to welcoming everyone who can make it in person, as well as those who plan to join us via Zoom. Ann and the choir will offer a full slate of music, and we will explore two provocative Scripture passages together. Our Hebrew Bible reading is from the beginning of the Book of Exodus, which tells us of the courage displayed by two obscure Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah (who deserve to be far better known!) Our Epistle reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (7:15-25a), in which Paul helps us understand how faith can awaken in us the ability to overcome sin and to open up to God’s leading.
While we will be taking a hiatus from our dreaming sessions tomorrow, we will nonetheless remember the blessing we enjoyed last week in our coffee hour presentation by Tracey Hair, executive director of H.O.M.E. In addition to briefing us on the many challenges facing the homeless among us in Maine, she also shared her inspiring life story and her ambitious work. If you missed it, you can catch up with one of us or visit their website, to get a better sense of how God’s work is being carried out by these special people.
We look forward to our gathering tomorrow, and we wish Lisa a refreshing and restorative summer break.
Blessings and peace, Derek
Worship at Home Materials: We will be offering worship in-person as well as on Zoom this coming Sunday. Coffee & tea are available after the church service. We ask that if you have not yet been vaccinated you attend worship via Zoom.
Responsive Reading Psalm 32 (NCH p. 642)
A Reading from The Hebrew Bible Exodus 1:15 – 21
A Reading from the Epistles Romans 7:15-25a
Message “Hitting the Mark” Derek van Bever
Below you will find materials to accompany this week’s Sunday Morning
Worship via Zoom. An order of service with scripture readings, to
accompany the service, are available by clicking the following
links.
Helpful Hint: If you are planning to join the Sunday morning
worship Zoom call, you might wish to print the following documents prior to
joining the call, if you have that capability.
*A link to the sermon will be shared on our website during the week
following the service.
Worship Bulletin:
July 9, 2023
Service of Worship for Home
To join us for worship via Zoom, please use the following information.
Whether or not you choose to set up an account, when it’s time for the
meeting, click the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85207176595
Meeting ID: 852 0717 6595
Passcode: 233873