Zoom Invitation and Order of Worship for January 17, 2021
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Dear Friends of Pioneer,
Pastor Ginger Foster is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Pioneer UMC - Sunday Morning Worship
Time: Jan 17, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Every week on Sunday
Join Zoom Meeting online
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85849977401
Meeting ID: 858 4997 7401
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+16699009128,,85849977401# US (San Jose)
Dial by phone
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 858 4997 7401
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Pioneer United Methodist Church January 17, 2021 (10:00 am)
Order of Worship Human Relations Day
Questions? Call Bonnie Wilson @ (530) 863-8226 or
Pastor Ginger @ (559) 676-8719.
Bells of Celebration
Prelude Qi Qing & David Thorp, Piano & Viola Duet
Words of Welcome Pastor Ginger Foster
Gift of Music “I am the Light of the World” Pastor Jerry & Kathy Fox
(J. Strathdee) Duet
Unison Call to Worship Glen Cleveland, Liturgist
We gather in this place to reaffirm that all humans are part of a lovely tapestry woven in the image of a multicolored God. Each of us is different, unique and priceless. However, the sacred bond that unites us is far greater: We are children of the same God! As sister and brothers of diverse backgrounds, God calls us to love and serve one another. Jesus shows us the way! Yet we continue to close our hearts and lives to the “other”. Forgive us, God, and help us to be kind to strangers and loved ones alike. As we worship you this day, may we hear afresh the news that you are the God who embraces all humans and expects the same from us. May today’s worship be a time to celebrate your infinite goodness. Amen.
|Adapted from Rev. Aquiles Ernesto Martinez,
Reinhardt University, Waleska, GA|
Opening Hymn “In Christ There Is No East or West” #548 (red hymnal)
Vs. 1, 2 & 3
Offering Our Gifts & Lives to God
Mission Moment Human Relations Day
Invitation to Give
Offertory Qi Qing Thorp, Pianist
Offering Our Prayers to God
Sharing Our Joys and Concerns
Concerns: Lord in Your Mercy “Hear our Prayers”
Joys: In Grateful Praise “Thanks be to God”
Time of Personal Prayer Dave Hogge, Guitarist
Pastoral Prayer/ Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading Micah 6: 6-8 Glen Cleveland, Liturgist
Romans 12: 1-2
Hymn of Preparation “What does the Lord #2174 (black hymnal)
Require of You” Sing twice
Message/Reflection “Do Not Be Conformed Pastor Ginger Foster
to This World”
Reflection on the Scripture Passages/Questions for private worship at home:
In today's Old Testament text the prophet Micah was charged with confronting a…smug, self-satisfied Israel. Not only did God's covenant community not see how far it had fallen into the ways of sin and selfishness. Israel even felt righteously indignant at God's perceived slow-to-save-us attitude.
Foreign kings, the powers of Assyria and Egypt, old enemies in Samaria and Edom: all were constantly threatening the continued existence of Israel. Despite repeated warnings from God's prophets and defiant infidelities from Israel's kings and priests, Israel's attitude continued to be one of injured grievousness towards God.
Micah is God's mouthpiece. Micah first reminds Israel of the miraculous history she has experienced through the mighty acts of God. Liberation from Egypt, liberating leaders, safe passage into the promised land itself.
Still, Israel doesn't seem to get it. In one of the greatest smirks and snickers in the Bible, Israel responds: "So, what do you want God? Thousands of rams! Ten thousand rivers of oil! Maybe you want the death of all the firstborn! Would that satisfy you God?"
To such snide, outlandish, even blasphemous words, God's response is restrained, simple. With infinite patience, God's message is that just three things are required to reestablish the rightness of the covenant relationship between the people Israel and their God.
Just do three things, Israel: Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with your God.(Micah 6: 8) Only that! I'm not asking much, Israel. Only this! Only make every facet of your lives, every institution in your communities, every encounter you have with others, be defined by justice, covenant love, and walking humbly with God.
Suddenly it becomes clear just how far Israel, and how far we, have fallen from the will of God. Suddenly it's clear how miserably the human side…has behaved. …Micah's three words in today's text are God's expectations for God’s own people. God doesn't declare that these characteristics are found in the general world.
No. these are qualities God expects of us, his children. God has a higher standard for us.
|Adapted from a sermon “What God Requires of Us”
by Pastor Leonard Sweet |
Romans says it this way: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…so that you may discern…what is good and acceptable and perfect. Just three things – let us consider how are we each doing on fulfilling those three requirements? How are we conforming to this world? What do we need to change/do?
Closing Hymn “We Shall Overcome” #533 (red hymnal)
Vs. 1, 2 & 3
Unison Benediction Glen Cleveland, Liturgist
God has spoken, and we have listened.
In ancient words of scripture, in today’s words of song and prayer,
In messages from long ago, and in messages brought anew today.
God will keep speaking. We will continue to listen.
As we do, let us go forth to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly
with our God. Amen.
|January 10, 2021 – Baptism of the Lord | Response to the Word –
Adapted from Mary Scifres | from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021|
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