Nothing But the Truth

Opening Prayer :  Holy God, Creator of Life, you call us out of our dark places,  offering us the grace of new life. When we see nothing but hopelessness,  you surprise us with the breath of your spirit.  Fill us now with your spirit of life, compassion, and peace,  In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Call to Worship : One: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. All: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. One: Hope in the Lord!  For with the Lord there is steadfast love and great power to redeem. All: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits; and in the word of the Lord I hope. One: Come, let us worship the Lord ! Hymn                 All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name Prayer of Confession   All: Grac...

JESUS WEPT John 11:1-45 I've been a Commissioned Ruling Elder (or lay pastor) on and off for about 13 years. In that time, I've served Communion an untold number of times, written hundreds of messages, and married two couples. I have also performed eight funerals. When I first started, a mentor asked me my favorite thing about being a pastor. Of course, I love leading worship; it is almost always near the top of every pastor's list.  But, I've found that over the course of the years that officiating funerals is where I feel I am most helpful. Don't misunderstand me...it's not my FAVORITE thing to do as a pastor. I never look FORWARD to anyone's funeral. But, they do allow a pastor to really show God's love and compassion in a time of extreme emotional distress. I was anxious before the officiating my first funeral. A friend of the family, who had no pastor, died and I was asked to perform the service. Before the visitation, I was ...

HOPE:  noun the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:  to give up hope a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen:  "he looked through her belongings in the hope of coming across some information" a particular instance of this feeling:  the hope of winning - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope."  -- Princess Leia Organa An urgent message from a brave leader to a mysterious man. In  Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , the Rebellion is at a pivotal point. They know the Galactic Empire has a super-powered weapon that can destroy worlds. They know if they cannot sabotage the Empire's plans for this Death Star, the Rebellion will die.  Princess Leia places her hope in an old man. To help change a universe. To help deliver victory to a rag-tag group of "scum." To help brin...

Opening Prayer :  Lord, help me to relax. Take from me the tension that makes peace impossible. Take from me the fears that do not allow me to venture. Take from me the worries that blind my sight. Take from me the distress that hides your joy. Help me to know that I am with you, that I am in your care, that I am in your love. Amen. Call to Worship : One: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, All: The author and perfecter of our faith, One: Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, All: Scorning its shame, he sat down at God's right hand. One: Let us consider him who endured such opposition from sinful people, All: So that we will not grow weary and lose heart. One: Let us worship God! Hymn                 Open My Eyes Prayer of Confession   God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned from your way. We are misled b...