Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link.  Click on “live” for the live stream.  Join us!   

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Musical Reflection                                    Polly Dunford                                     

Opening  (Completion of Litany Reading below)

 

Welcome and Announcements                 Ann Miller      

Lighting of the Chalice Candle

LEADER:  We light this candle as a reminder of the light of truth in the world, the warmth of love in community, and the energy of actions of justice and compassion.

OTHERS: May its flame remind us that we are stronger together, increasing our peace within and our courage without. 

Opening Hymn   “Wake, Now, My Senses”         Handout

Words by Thomas J.S. Mickelson.  Music: Traditional Irish melody.

Harmony by Carlton R. Young.  1992.  Abingdon Press. All rights reserved.

1)  Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call,

feel the deep power of being in all,

keep, with the web of creation your vow,

giving, receiving as love shows us how.

2)  Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new;

join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;

honor the beauty and wisdom of time;

suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime.

3)  Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry;

voices of suffering fill the wide sky;

take as your neighbor both stranger and friend,

praying and striving their hardship to end.

Sharing of Concerns and Praises

Litany

We come this morning as separate individuals to experience the joy and strengthening of unity amidst relative diversity. Though uniquely different, we come with all that makes us human in our glory, as well as in our shortcomings and failures, together seeking wholeness and meaning:

We come to be reminded of  __________________.

We come with sadness for ________________.

We come with gladness for _________________.

We come to learn the truth about ___________________.

We come to become more aware of _______________.

We come to express gratitude for __________________.

We come to be inspired to  ___________________.

We come with hopes for __________________.

We come to experience  _________________.

We come to open our minds and hearts to __________________.

May all this be so.

AMEN

Biblical Reading     John 3:16-17

King James Version

16  For God ……..…..so loved the world,………. that he gave his only begotten Son, ………..…that whosoever believeth in him………………. should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Meditation Song  “We Would Be One”          David Johnson, soloist

Words by Samuel Anthony Wright; Music by Jean Sebelius.

Arranged by David Johnson.  All rights reserved.

Message  “What Do We Progressives Make of John 3:16-17?”  Rev. Dr. Steven Morgan

 

Closing Hymn and Offertory (Souper Bowl Collection for Anderson Soup Kitchen)

“Though I May Speak - the Gift of Love”                      Hymnal #693

1)  Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

2)  Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,

but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

 

3)  Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control; our spirits long to be made whole.

Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.

                            

Benediction

Discussion 

Shalom  (meaning - “May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)

Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.

Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.                       *************************************************************************************

Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711.  All rights reserved.

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Please join us for our Potluck Meal following worship service.  

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Worship Committee meets following worship.

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Calendar of Service -

February 15 - Khalid Imam - Muslim leader

February 22 - Rev. Tricia Lytle  

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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  The topic is The Origins of Christianity as a historical and theological study.  If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.

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DATE CHANGE — Immigration Workshop:  On Sunday, March 22, First Baptist Church in Pendleton (FBCP) will host a workshop where local community experts will present immigration solutions that welcome immigrants and refugees as neighbors without harming the interests of American citizens.  This workshop will be from 6 PM to 8 PM in the Fellowship Hall of FBCP.  The workshop is free and parking is easy!

More details are here:  https://immigrationbridges.substack.com/p/immigration-bridges-workshop

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Choir practice for the Lenten season will start on Sunday, February 8, at 9:25 in the choir room.  New members are welcome.  Please come a few minutes early to get your music. See you there!  Polly

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Al-Anon meets in the church building on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30.  Volunteers have been asked to open and close the building for them.

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Coats and winter wear are still being collected for South Main Chapel and Mercy Center.  If you have any that are very gently worn, please bring them in to church.

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Please remember to donate non-perishable food items to AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries).  An extra item when you shop is a great help to others in our community.

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Remember in prayer:  Libby and Aaron Riggins Pennington; Sarah Shumpert and family; People of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jay Lyn Martin and Jerry Meehan; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of the World in ALL walks of life and strife.