8th Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for July 26, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; you alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; Al-le-lu—ia!
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. Open our hearts to you as we worship. May your Spirit touch us in our very place of need. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God
One: O give thanks to the Lord, call upon God’s name.
All: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. (Psalm 105:1&2)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
When you are feeling good, what is one of your favorite things to do? When you are sick, what is important to you? I remember when I was a kid and was sick, mother would spend a lot of time in my room with me. She may not even be talking with me. She may be reading, or writing or doing one of her household tasks, but she was in my room. Her presence was important to me. This is the way God is, when we need God he is there with us, just like we want our mother to be with us. God loves us no matter how we are feeling.
Scripture: Romans 8:28, 31-35, 37-39; Matthew 13:31-32
Reflection – “Seeing When We Can’t See” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Have you ever felt like God was laughing at (or with) you? That happened to me this week. I’ll explain. I have taken as a theme recently the words from Micah 6: “Do justice, embrace steadfast love, and walk attentively with your God.” Sunday I was journaling as I analyzed what I have done recently to do justice. I was chagrined to discover that most of what I have done recently was in my head, rather than in my actions: thinking about and affirming justice issues, rather than actually doing something in my life. So I determined that one thing I could do was give to those who are begging on street corners. I had done this before the pandemic, but had stopped during the corona virus because I felt they were safer going to social service organizations rather than standing on the corners. I decided this week to leave that judgement to God and resume my pre-pandemic custom. Sure enough, Monday returning from grocery shopping a man was siting on a walker seat at the corner of Zafarano and Cerrillos. As the lights would have it I pulled up in front of him and stopped. Usually Larry is driving and I just roll the window down and hand the person a couple of bucks. This time I was driving alone and there was no way to reach him, and he couldn’t stand up, I couldn’t toss the money to him for fear it would land out of his reach. (Furthermore, he wasn’t wearing a mask – a biggie to me!) There was nothing to do, but get out of my car with a line of traffic behind me, run around the car and reach my hand as far as I could, while he reached his hand as far as he could for the money! God didn’t make this easy, and by the time I got back in the car we were both laughing! I’ve thought about this man in the context of Paul’s assurance in Romans: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…I am convinced that nothing in life or in death or in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:28, 37-39). What do these verses mean for this man who was begging? Does he have anything to hope for? Does he know God’s love? What about everyone else who has been marginalized, who is at such an extreme disadvantage during this pandemic? What do these verses mean to this struggling world where there are fires, coronavirus wrecking death and heartache, and horrendous divisions among people, which seem to be escalating? I don’t see things getting better in the near future. I don’t have any proof that that all things “work together for good” for this man begging, for the world, for you and me! I ask myself how I can believe this Scripture when I have these questions which I cannot answer? Then the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13 nudges me. The good news of the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. How small, how unobtrusive. Yet it grows to a shrub and the birds find a home in it. Something is at work in those seeds even when we can’t see it. Kathryn Lewis, in Inviting a Kingdom Imagination writes that the promise of the parables is that even when the kingdom of heaven is not seen, it is near. This is the good news of the gospel: it is at work, here and now even when we don’t see it! Furthermore, part of understanding Scripture is embodying it in our lives, letting the truth live in us. I question and wonder, and not have answers, but still reach out and embrace the hope that nothing in life and death can separate us from God’s love. We can live into this hope as we seek to embody God’s love within us. Then we begin to see while not seeing: we see signs that God is at work around us and in us. Where do you see signs of the good news of God’s love as you look around you now?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #192 “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, light of the world shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine ono me; shine on me. Shine, Jesus,
shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
God of love, we thank you that you love us so much that nothing can separate us from your love. We pray for those who do not experience your love and pray that you will show us how to embody it in our own lives, particularly in this time of need. (silent reflection). Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Petition.
Thanksgiving for God’s guidance and love. - -
-Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
-Thanks for Grace Sandoval, who had a birthday last Sunday and David Bass, whose birthday is the 19h. Thanks for Bill Franke's birthday, July 25.
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices -
Prayers and thanks for those working in hospitals and research labs
-Thanksgiving for the beginning of delayed monsoon rains and for the harvests of apricots and produce.
- Prayers for Erasmo and Eunice’s daughter and her husband, Lisa and Wayne who have coronavirus. -
Prayers for David as he has treatment in Houston, and Leslee recovering from knee surgery
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #473 “Make Me A Blessing”
May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way, bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all; working for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
Dios de la es-pe-ran-za, da-nos go- zo y paz! Al mun-do en cri-sis, ha-bla tu ver-dad.
Dios de la jus-ti-cia, man-da-nos tu luz, luz y es-pe-ran-za en la os-cu-ri-dad.
O-re-mos por la paz, can-te-mos de tu amor, Lu-che-mos por la paz, fie-les a ti, Se-nor.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Regretfully Public Worship suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
7th Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for July 19, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. Open our hearts to you as we worship. May your Spirit touch us in our very place of need. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God
One: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
All: See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23&24)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Have you known anyone in school who is bullied by the other children? Have you ever been bullied? If you have you, you know how miserable it can be. No one deserves to be bullied. Usually someone who is bullied or teased by other children is different in some way. There’s nothing wrong with being different. In fact God made all of us to be special, that is different, because God loves us so much, and wants us to love others too. So if you see someone being bullied you may need to tell your teacher, who can do something about it. You can also remember to be especially nice to that person. We all need kindness shown to us.
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30,36-42; Romans 8:22-25
Reflection – “Patient Struggling” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
When I was a child the Hallmarks, a large family with four kids lived across the street from us. We were all part of a neighborhood of many kids, who gathered playing kick-the-can, foursquare and other games, some of which we invented. Two houses down from the Hallmarks lived the McAllisters. Mary Jo McAllister was a good friend of mine, but she didn’t play with the other kids in the neighborhood. Mrs. McAllister explained, “We don’t have anything to do with the Hallmarks. They weren’t nice to us.” This hostility was not shared by Mary Jo, who missed out on a lot of the neighborhood games. Have you ever witnessed this: resentments from one family to another continuing for years? The problem is it keeps the wrongdoing alive, poisoning those it touches.
The parable in our text from Matthew 13 illustrates these complexities. The farmer plants good seed. An enemy comes in the night and plants weeds. When the seed began to grow, the servants observed the weeds and ask the landowner if they should root out the weeds. The landowner’s response was: “No. In doing this, you will pull out the wheat along with the weeds.” Darnel was a weed that looked very much like wheat in the early stages of its growth. By the time it got mature enough to be recognized, it could not be separated from the wheat without also destroying the wheat. So the landowner said, “Leave it alone. It will be separated at harvest time.” Jesus then explained to his disciples that at the harvest it was his responsibility, not theirs, to separate the wheat from the weeds. In other words, leave it to God to make the judgements.
I’ve become aware of how polarizing this time in our world actually is. We struggle with nature, we struggle with each other, we are in a tug of war between economic needs and physical caution, between Democrats and Republicans, between freedom and safety, between conservatives and liberals, between tradition and racism, between ecologists and free enterprise. We either get caught up in taking sides and judging or find ourselves in a quandary over what choices to make. Where will all this end? The Apostle Paul said: “The whole creation is groaning, suffering labor pains…and we ourselves as we wait for the harvest.” It’s not easy, it’s not fun, this patient waiting, leaving the judgements to God. It’s not easy, either, to have to admit that there are ambiguities in life. Everything is not cut and dried. We must trust God to guide our choices and leave judgement to God. Yet we are given a steadfast hope. Hope is that to which we cling when we cannot see any reason to hope. Our hope is in the One who can guide us through all these unknowns with a certain and loving hand. This One asks us to trust, do justice, embrace steadfast love, walk attentively with our God, and leave judgement to our wise and loving God.
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #693 “Though I May Speak”
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.
Come, Sprit come, our hearts control; our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of hope, we sometimes lose ourselves, and lose touch with you in the hard business of living in difficult times. We sometimes resolve our own pain and struggles by blaming others. Forgive us, and help us to leave judgement to you. Give us hope at those times that we see no cause for hope, and help us to faithfully show your love, even when we struggle. (silent reflection). Amen.
Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas , NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern
- Thanksgiving for God’s guidance and love. - -
-Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
-Thanks for Grace Sandoval, who had a birthday last Sunday and David Bass, whose birthday is the 19h. - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices - Prayers and thanks for those working in hospitals and research labs
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Prayers for David as he has treatment in Houston, and Leslee recovering from knee surgery
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #473 “Make Me A Blessing”
Out on the highways and by-ways of life many are weary and sad; carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad. Make me a blessing, make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine. Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today. Pon de tu fe la vir-tud en ac-cion, A-ma, cual Cris-to te a-mo; Se fiel y em-ple-a en tu san-ta mi-sion el don que el cie-lo te dio, Haz-me u-na fuen-te De ben-di-cio-nes, Y que ful-gu-re Cris-to en mi; Haz-me un tes-ti-go, Te rue-go, Se-nor, Y un fiel o-bre-ro De mi Sal-va-dor. A-men. (El Himnario, stanza 3) Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Regretfully Public Worship suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
6th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for July 12, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: God of our life, thank you for your son Christ Jesus whose presence we can know when we turn to him in prayer. We thank you for your Spirit which leads us, guides us, and protects us in all times and in all places. May we take time out from our busyness to allow you, in Christ and the Spirit, to meet us where we most need you. Amen
Praising God
One: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
All: Your decrees are my heritage forever; and the joy of my heart. (Psalm 119:105 & 111)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Near where you live, are there trees, bushes, plants, flowers? Some of these may have been planted by someone. Usually these are around our home or in a garden. But what about all those along the roads and streets. Places where people really don’t care where they are growing? Read about the story of the Sower in Matthew 13. Can you picture a Sower scattering seeds wildly in all directions? God has lots of seeds. Birds, animals, and the wind scatter those seeds willy nilly over all the earth. When we show love and compassion to others, even those we don’t know, we become Sowers of God’s love and compassion. Think about that!
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23;
Reflection – “Invitations to JOY!” – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
This one is for me. I hope it speaks to you as well. There is so much going on in the world, in our nation, state, and communities that seemingly suck the joy out of life. But as Christians, followers of the God who comes to us in the living Jesus, the Christ, there is much beyond the dangers and sufferings of this world; of this place. All three of the scripture passages for today speak not only of joy, but also of abundance! The prophet Isaiah starts us off with: “For you shall go out with joy, and be led back with peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress, instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle, and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
As I write I can see the Aspen leaves dancing in the breeze outside our RV home. Such a sign of undisturbed joy and carefree life. Oh, that we could always witness the joy of existence in God’s love for all living creatures, “that shall not be cut off.” In addition, the apostle Paul declares to the Romans (and to us) “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” What a gift! What a promise! What a source of joy for us as children of God!
Then we read from Matthew the parable of the sower, or as Debi Thomas writes in the blog Journey with Jesus, “The Extravagant Sower”. I was raised on a farm in Maine. I was taught not to waste anything, especially not seed. But the sower in the parable wastefully scatters seed everywhere: hard ground, on rocks, among weeds. What are we to glean from this extravagance? Think of the trees, bushes, flowers, grass of the field, how they grow! God seems to have an endless supply of seeds. The sower understands this and joyfully scatters seed to the wind, to land wherever they may lie, serving God’s purpose for all the earth. Feeding birds, enriching bad soil, providing food and nourishment wherever they land. And some produce grain in various amounts. I hope we have all witnessed people and places abandoned by society yet rescued by love and compassion. We have seen what joy can be gleaned from generosity and self-giving actions for others. We may resist the carefree, seeming wastefulness of the sower. Yet the sower is the one Christ calls us, each and everyone, to follow and do likewise! Can we? Will we?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #300 We Are One in the Spirit”
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord; we are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
and we pray that all unity may one day be restored;
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Merciful, Gracious God, we admit we sometimes let the troubles around us keep us from the joy of your presence and your love, Help us to be still ------ and know that you are God. May we experience the joy of you with us. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Leslee Cordova having knee surgery July 14 & David Bass beginning long term treatment July 20
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #762 “When the Poor Ones”
When our homes are filled with goodness in abundance, when we learn how to make peace instead of war, when each stranger that we meet is called a neighbor, then we know that God still goes that road with us, then we know that God still goes that road with us.
Benediction: May the joy, love and peace of Christ be yours to share as you serve a risen Christ throughout your days. Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor are NOT holding sanctuary services. We continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
Upper Room for July/August is available in the baggie at SMPC.
5th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for July 5, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: O Lord, we thank you that you fill the whole earth with your presence and are present with us now as we worship you. May we worship you in reverence, gratitude and love. Through Christ. Amen
Praising God
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?.
All: I’ll lift up the cup of salvation; I’ll call on the name of the Lord.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Have you ever had your mother try to help you with something that you think you can do on your own? Do you say, “I can do it myself?”That’s what four-year-old Janet said. She was helping her mother set the table. She picked up a stack of eight good china plates in her little arms and said, “Look! I can lift them myself!” Before her mother could do or say anything Janet dropped all the china plates and they broke! It’s good to learn to do things ourselves, but we need guidance and help from someone bigger and wiser than we are. Don’t tell your parents I said this, but sometimes we adults think we can do things ourselves when we need God and someone else’s help. Sometimes we even need your help, and God is ready to help us all.
Scripture – Matthew 11:28-30
Reflection – “I Can Do It Myself!” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
As some of you know, I took a fall about ten days ago, hitting my head on concrete, and ending up in the emergency room for a cat scan and EKG. Everything was OK, but I was told to take it easy for a while. Now the only head pains I get are when I lift something too heavy I tend to get light headed. When I went grocery shopping yesterday, a couple of things I got where heavy for me to put in the cart, but I “toughed it out,” grunting them into the cart and pushing the heavily filled cart around the grocery store. Long before I got to check out, my head was feeling the pressure. The cashier always asks if I need help taking my groceries to the car, and I always say no. After all I don’t want anyone thinking I’m a decrepit “senior citizen!” However, yesterday when the cashier asked if I needed help, I hesitated, “Well, with a couple of the heavy things.” I finally said. By the time I got to the car, “I thought, “Why not let him put all the groceries in the car.” Of course, I felt so self-conscious that I had to offer the excuse that I had had a concussion and wasn’t supposed to be lifting! Yet, it was such a relief to not have to lift the heavy grocery bags and to get home and let Larry do the lifting.
As I thought about this, I thought, “That’s the way we are with God!” We pile the things we think we need in our burden carts, and try to lug the heavy burdens around. Like Janet with the china plates, we think we can do it ourselves. Our burdens are heavy: family responsibilities, inner struggles, dealing with relationships that often become more complex in the pandemic, sickness and concerns for our own and other’s health, financial burdens, etc. etc. etc. We try to handle it all. Yet the whole time, Jesus is saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Are there any of us that are not feeling the heaviness of our burdens? If you are like me, it’s easy to pray about our burdens, but then to pick up our burdens again, take them out of God’s arms and lug them away from God’s help.
There’s something else Jesus says to the burdened crowds: “Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light!” When we go down the grocery aisle of life, piling burdens into cart, are we piling in our burdens, the things we choose to lug around, or just the things God gives us to do: the easy burdens, God’s burdens are light! We tend to think our way is easiest, and following Christ is hard. That’s not what Jesus says.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #466, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Je-su-cris-to es nues-tro A-mi-go: De es-to prue-ba nos mos-tro,
Pues pa-ra lle-var con-si-go Al cul-pa-ble se hu-ma-no.
El cas-ti-go de su pue-blo En su muer-te El su-frio;
Cris-to es un A-mi-go e-ter-no; So-lo en El con-fi-o yo. (last verse; El Himnario, #318)
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes we think that we can “do it ourselves,” carry our own burdens. We think our burdens are lighter than your burden. We think that doing it our way is easier that following you. Be patient with us and forgive us. Give us the strength to trust in you and your way, letting you carry our burdens (silent reflection). Thank you, God, that you forgive us when we repent, through Christ, Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship you
- Thanksgiving that you are willing to take our burdens
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face increased coronavirus spikes; prayers that we will observe safety precautions. - Prayers for those weighted down by burdens and not knowing where to turn
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann.Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ We are sorry to announce that Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor are suspending public worship until further notice. This is because of the rise in coronavirus cases and our desire to maintain the safety of folks around us. Please check our websites for Sunday Home Worships and update announcements. https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
4th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for June 28, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: O Lord, we thank you that you fill the whole earth with your presence and are present with us now as we worship you. May we worship you in reverence, gratitude and love. Through Christ. Amen
Praising God
One: Where can I go from your spirit?
All: If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and you right hand shall hold me fast. (from Psalm 139:7,9 &10)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you think of a time when you felt so good that you wanted to open your arms wide and embrace the world? Or just hug someone because it felt good to do so? Can you think of a time when you were tired, scared. Or just plain cranky and someone help you to feel better? Does it feel good to go to church, or pray and worship with your family? All these things can happen because God loves us and gives us these feelings deep inside. This is called abundant life. After the reflection below, you and your family can discuss this question: “What is abundant life?”
Scripture: John 10:1-5 & 10-11
Reflection – The Gift of Abundant Life – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Years ago I read an article in Discover magazine about a desert lake. The water had dried up in it and it had remained a dry lakebed for several decades. Then some very unusual weather had brought rain and streams flowing into the lakebed. Once again, it filled with water. Naturalists were amazed to find that there were fish and other water animals in the lake: water life that no one had supplied. They just appeared! Apparently, they had been dormant all those years beneath the dry sands of the lakebed.
Abundant Life is like that. There are times in our life when life can appear to be meaningless or dry, when it seems to squeeze the very life out of us. Then God’s life appears beneath the surface of things. It springs from “living water,” miraculously appearing, even in the desert of life’s situations. Abundant life in Christ is more than life after we die, it is life that flows from God giving vitality, joy, purpose and meaning. We can open ourselves to this abundant life, and allow God to nourish it, or we can ignore it, or busy ourselves with that which does not feed the life within us. Psychologist Abraham Maslow postulates that until we have our basic needs for food, clothing and shelter met, we are not able to direct our energies to life’s deeper meanings. There are those who have to struggle to exist, who do not have adequate food and shelter. Do you think their basic struggles for existence directs their energies away from that which nourishes abundant life? How do you think Christ can relate to them through us?
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #601 (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes it’s hard to recognize and feel your presence with us. Sometimes it’s hard to trust you. Be patient with our weakness, forgive our lack of faith. Open our hearts to your abundant life, and give us joy and strength as we experience your presence in us (silent reflection). Thank you, God, that you always forgive us when we repent, through Christ, Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial is now holding services Sundays at 9:30 AM, El Buen Pastor at 10:30 AM. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services are shorter than normal, and we seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ Communion is one the first Sunday of the month. If you attend. please bring your own communion. It can be a piece of bread or cracker, or whatever you desire. If you wish to bring water or juice that is fine but not necessary. When Jesus fed the five thousand, folks brought to Jesus whatever they had, and he blessed it!
3nd Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for June 21, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering on God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #824 “There Is a Place of Quiet Rest”
There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God, a place where we our
Savior meet, near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the
heart of God, hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.
Prayer: Marvelous, Creator God, thank you for all you have provided for us, in times of uncertainty and in times of surety. Bless us as we worship you today in spirit and in truth. Amen.
Praising God
One: You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
All:Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (Psalm 86:4&5)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Today is Father’s Day, a holiday in this country when we celebrate the lives of our fathers and fathers around the world. What do you call your father? Daddy? Pop? Papa? Have you ever thought of God as Daddy? Jesus called his father Abba. In the Aramaic language, which Jesus spoke, it means something like Daddy. How might this help you to think about God as your Daddy, too? The Bible tells us God is love, how might this help your father or grandfather think about their role as Daddy?
Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 2:41-49
Reflection: “Daddy Changed the World” – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
A cartoon in the New Mexican suggested that we should cancel the year 2020 and start over. Just when we think it can’t get much worse, it seems to. If we were to consider such a radical interruption, realizing the impossibility of that task, we need to hold onto several truthes as worshipers of a Creator God who seems to have in the past, created all there is from chaos. Yes, from the very stuff that is without order, without form, without any sense of purpose, God created the world. And God is creating something new, right now, “do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). I have to admit that it is extremely difficult for me to see what God might create out of this pandemic. So many people have died and still will die. So many families, communities, whole countries have been devastated in so many unexpected ways, and recovery seems a distant possibility, if at all.
Then, like a meteor from outer space, we are bombarded by the shooting death of George Floyd by police, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Somewhat unexpectedly, this atrocious event ignites protests, riots, and retaliation, not only in Minneapolis, not only in Minnesota, not only in the United States of America, but around the world. The pandoras box of racial injustice, oppression, and murder has been reopened and the world, the whole world, is demanding change, an end to these horrific, murderous actions on black people, on all people of color, and on those without power, on those without voices in this country, the land of the free and the home of brave.
George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter was suddenly left without a father, her Daddy. When interviewed by a less than sympathetic reporter, this 6-year-old little girl responded with, “Daddy changed the world.” Now, I don’t know if someone gave her these words to say or not, but I like to think that the Spirit of God, rested on her in that moment and provided her with a prophetic message for the world. After all, Jesus’ message to his disciples made it clear that, it is to such as these children that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19: 14). I wonder, also, if a 12-year-old Jesus may have pronounced similar words to the Jewish leaders in the Synagogue in Jerusalem when he was accidently left behind following the Feast of Passover. “Abba, Daddy will change the world.” “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Or in some translations “be about my Father’s interests?”
God has not abandoned the world to the forces of evil. Quite the contrary, God is at work through all kinds of people, real live heroes, to bring the world into a better place, a place closer to the Creators will. Amen.
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #822 “When We Are Living”
When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus, and when we’re dying, it is in the Lord.
Both in our living and in our dying, we belong to God; we belong to God.
Pues si vi-vi-mos, pa-ra E’l vi-vi-mos, y si mo-ri-mos pa-ra E’lmo-ri-mos.
Sea que vi-va-mos o que mu-ra-mos, so-mos del Se-nor, so-mos del Se-nor.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God in all our life.
Loving God, your heart must be broken when so many of your creatures turn your world into a violent and deadly place to live. Move us from apathy. Challenge us to reach out to those in need. Give us voices and the courage to take part in your reconciliation and peace. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #762 “Cuando el pobre” (When the Poor Ones)
Cuan-do el po-bre na-da tie-ne y au’n re-par-te, cuan-do un hom-bre pa-sa sed y a-gua nos da,
Cuan-do el d’e-bil a su her-ma-no for-ta-le-ce, va Dios mis-mo en nustro mis-mo ca-mi-nar.
Va Dios mis-mo en nustro mis-mo ca-mi-nar.
When at last all those who suffer find their comfort, when they hope though even hope seems hope-less-ness, when we love though hate at times seems all around us, then we know that God still goes the road with us, then we know that God still goes that road with us.
Benediction: Know that, no matter the events around us, God still goes the road with us. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ As we continue to meet in worship, out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ Ann & Larry will be taking some time out the week of June 23-29. Georgia Ortiz (505-692-9599) will be available for Pastoral assistance in Chimayo and Margaret Franke (505-689-2443) will be available in Truchas.
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
2nd Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for June 14, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering on God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength and shield, to you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: Be in our minds and our hearts as we worship you, O God. Bless us in our prayers, singing, and reflection on your word to us this day. Amen.
Praising God
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me.
All: I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lod in the presence of God’s people. (Ps. 116:12&14)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s too good to be true?” Have you ever felt like that when something good has happened, so good it felt unbelievable? God does things for us that are unbelievably good. Can you name something that good? How can you help others to see good things God does?
Scripture: Genesis 18:9-14
Reflection: “Sarah Laughed” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Etty Hillesum was in her 20’s during the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. Though a Jew she was only nominally religious, but as the world was darkened in turmoil, she began to experience God in her life. Working first at the concentration camp as a volunteer social welfare worker, she then became a prisoner there, having refused offers to go into hiding. She believed it was her duty to help others who were imprisoned. In September of 1943 she was moved to Aucshwitz where she was executed.
Two things about Etty Hillesum especially stand out to me. She continually saw both the horrors and suffering around her and the unsurpassed beauty of God’s good creation. How hard it is for us, when things seem impossibly difficult to see the good that God continues to do! The other amazing thing about Hillesum is that she chose to occupy a place in the world where others could connect with God through her. She took responsibility for making God credible in the world. She took responsibility for God’s credibility! Sometimes when we are weighted down with our own struggles it is easy to become self-absorbed. Not so, Etty. She wanted to represent God to others.
Since I read the Genesis 16:9-14 this past Monday, Abraham’s wife Sarah has been on my mind. Her laugh haunts me. What kind of a sound was it? What was she saying? I thought about her life. It had not been easy. She probably had no choice in whom she married; she was uprooted by him (Abram, whose name was changed to Abraham) to go to who knows where, wandering, living in tents; when they were in Egypt, Abram tried to pass her off as his sister, willing to risk her being taking into Pharaoh’s haram, to save his own skin. Yet probably the worst thing for her was that she could not bear Abraham a child. This was the whole purpose for a Hebrew woman, so she gave Abram her slave, Hagar, to bear Abram a son. Now she is pushing ninety. Strangers appear and in true Mideastern custom Abram extends hospitality to them. While they are eating, one of the strangers speaks to Abram (Sarah is not even present) and says that Sarah will have a child. Sarah is listening behind the door! When this ninety-year old woman hears this, she is not ready to believe this news. She laughs! I mean who has answered her prayers up to this point? Who has even listened to her desires and wishes? And now, at age ninety, after all she’s been through! “Give me a break!” Finally, her laugh is heard! The stranger responds, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? To me, as I think about her life, I think it is no wonder that God did not have a great deal of credibility with her. I think about Etty Hillesum and her feeling of responsibility to make God credible to others. Who was there for Sarah? Who was listening to this voiceless woman and making God credible for her?
This week as I have watched the news, the protests, George Floyd’s funeral, and heard one person after another speak out about our systemic racism, I have thought about all the people like Sarah, treated like their voices don’t count. Like they are not equally precious in God’s sight: people of color, Jews, women, indigenous people, and the list goes on. In Matthew 9:36-10:7, Jesus saw the crowds, how they were “harassed and helpless”. He sent his disciples out to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is near and show it by their actions. In other words, like Etty Hillesum, to make God credible to all those who have been “harassed and helpless” in this world. Jesus still sends his disciples out to do this. Jesus still sends his disciples out with this mission. How do we respond?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #14 “Make Me a Blessing”
Out on the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life make Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray; Make me a blessing to someone today.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God our creator, forgive us when we forget how important we are to you. Forgive us when we forget that you are still watching over us. Give us faith in your forgiveness. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our lives with joy and peace; let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial will began public worship this Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin this Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
Trinity Sunday
Home Worship for June 7, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #1 “Holy, Holy, Holy!”
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Prayer: Merciful and mighty God, who is far greater than the limits of our understanding, draw near to us as we worship you. Bless us in our prayers, singing, and reflection on your word to us. Amen.
Praising God
One: O Lord our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
All: O Lord our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1&9)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Our Bible reading for today tells us something about God, about ourselves and our world. It is a long reading and sometimes it’s hard to listen to something long, So I’m going to give you a special job so you can help the adults around you understand the Scripture. I want you to count every time God says that what he created was good. That’s important because it also means he made us all and we are special. So, let’s count!
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-27 & 31; 2:1-3; Matthew 28:16 & 17
Reflection: “Does It Matter?” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Our Elders that go to Presbytery can tell you that one of the first things that happens when we arrive is that we are greeted and given a name tag. On the tag is written our name and the name of our church. Where we are from is one of the major ways we identify each other. As I read the Genesis text I realize it is not a scientific account of how the world was created, but a beautiful poetic story of “where we are from.” At this time in the life of our world it seems important to be reminded of some of these things.
We come from a God who creates. Specifically, God created the world out of chaos, a formless swirling void. God saw the possibilities in this chaos and created something wonderous from this chaos! This has been a particularly chaotic week across our nation. With the death of George Floyd protests have sprung up all across the nation, some of them peaceful demonstrations, some of them turbulent. Besides this chaos we have the already existing chaos of the pandemic. Where and when will it end? Who will it strike next? The God who creates is still with us. What is God trying to tell us in this chaos? What new possibilities can God create out of all this chaos? We come from a God who sees. Six times, at the end of every act of creation, God pauses and sees what has been created, delights in it and says it is good. A few years ago, I had a choral director who was very expressive. She would continually express her delight in the music, not just with her hands but her face and her whole body, sometimes jumping completely of the floor. God sees, and delights in the good creation. I believe God is still seeing the creation, in all of its beauty and in all of its travail. God even sees our turmoil in the chaos of our personal lives and the life of the world. God sees this as the fertile ground for creating something new. God sees us as we are and continues to love us as a part of this good creation.
We come from the likeness of God. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created us male and female in the image of God. We don’t know exactly what that means, but we know that we bare God’s imprint and this speaks of our intrinsic value. It does not say that only a certain person from a certain race or a nation is unique and precious. We all are! We all come from God. When we get discouraged with ourselves we can remember that we are in God’s image. When we want to give up on someone else we can remember that they were created in God’s image. George Floyd, lying beneath the knee of the cop, was created in the likeness of God. So was the cop who knelt on him. So are the protesters. Sometimes this image becomes distorted. Yet, can we look at ourselves and others as coming from the likeness of God and treat them as if they are in God’s image? Does “where we come from” matter to us at this time? That is, do we believe it so much that it makes a difference in our experience of ourselves and the world today. Matthew 28:16-17 tells us that the disciples worshiped the risen Christ, and some doubted. I think that describes each one of us: we worship God, and sometimes we don’t believe 100%; in other words, we don’t believe enough for it to really matter in the way we see ourselves and our world with all its chaos and amazing possibilities. Doubting is not necessarily bad because it shows that we take faith seriously, and sometimes that involves a struggle. Yet sometimes our doubting keeps us from trusting the God who comforts us. We can trust our God who can create new possibilities for us now, who still sees and delights in the good in this creation, and has made us all in the Divine image, no matter who we are. (Debi Thomas with Journey With Jesus and Janet Hunt of Dancing with the World have contributed to my thinking in this reflection.)
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #14 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies: Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God our creator, forgive us when we forget how important we are to you. Forgive us when we forget that you are still watching over us. Give us faith in your forgiveness. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for the safety of our populations and all those gathering to worship today - Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our lives with joy and peace; let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope.
Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial will begin public worship this Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin on Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
Pentecost Sunday
Home Worship for May 31, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through my wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind in the sea.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, on this Pentecost Sunday, come alongside us in our worship. Be in our hearts and our understanding as we worship you.
Praising God
One: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
All: May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104: 33&34)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you share a time when you were not sure of the right thing to do and you parents or teacher helped you? Can you remember a time when scared or confused and someone helped you? That’s also God helping you. Today is Pentecost Sunday. Do you know what that is? This is the day when we celebrate God’s Spirit coming to us and showing us how to live in ways that please God. The Spirit guides us when we forget what is right and helpso do the right thing. As you listen to the Scripture see if you can tell the different ways the Spirit came to people who trusted God. Reflection: “Coming Alongside Us” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
The summer after I graduated from college I traveled to Europe with my parents. We covered eleven countries in three weeks: a whirlwind experience! Yet surprisingly we were able to visit some out of the way places, as well as some famous spots. In the Netherlands we took a boat out to the little village of Markham and wandered around there. I became fascinated with a wedding and followed the procession for awhile through the streets of the town. Suddenly I looked around and could not find my parents anywhere. I realized I had no idea of the name or the address of the hotel where we were staying in Amsterdam. Pictures flashed through my mind of me wandering the streets for who knows how long in a country where I didn’t even speak the language. I was terrified! What could I do? About that time my parents came alongside of me and said, “Ann where have you been? We’ve been looking for you!” Whew! Was I glad to see them! This experience reminds me of the way the Holy Spirit comes along side of us to guide and direct us when we lose our way. This is Pentecost Sunday, one of our major celebrations in the Christian year. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to 120 believers 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. The Holy Spirit descended on those gathered in a dramatic way: a strong wind, flames of fire, speaking in other languages other than their own. Yet the ways of the Spirit are not always that dramatic. That’s why I like the story in John 20 as a contrast with our Acts 2 Pentecost story. It was right after Jesus’ resurrection when the disciples were fearfully huddled together behind locked doors. Jesus comes to them to them saying, “Peace be to you. As the father has sent me, so have I sent you.” And he breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” How gently the Holy Spirit came, not forcing, but wanting to be invited: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” This Pentecost is a strange one for us. We are not gathered together because of the coronavirus. Yet in so many ways we are together: in fear, restlessness, loss, and in hope, faith and expectation of what God can do. The Holy Spirit comes alongside of us showing us the way to witness to Jesus Christ here and now and wanting to be received by us. The Spirit comes alongside of us to speak in someone else’s language. This is far more than just knowing their language and its syntax. It is listening and understanding their culture and context, and being willing to speak as one of them, coming alongside them. Can we receive the Holy Spirit in this way, listening closely to others so we know them and they feel comfortable listening to us? The Spirit comes alongside us when we lose our way and forget that we are to go into the world to spread the good news of the One who welcomes sinners, loves us all, and frees those bound in chains.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #286 “Breathe in Me, Breath of God”
Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew,
that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear Holy Spirit, we need you to come alongside of us and breathe your life into us.
Forgive us when we forget that we are to represent Christ to others. (silent reflection) Through Christ. Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM
or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanks, and congratulations to Kaitlyn Sandoval, who graduated from Santa Fe High School.
- Thanksgiving for all those who have heard the Spirit’s call and shared Christ with us and others.
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for the safety of our populations
– Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Pray for our wisdom in planning when and how to resume public worship safely
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope.
Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public worship will be beginning soon! Smith Memorial will begin on Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin on Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
6th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 24, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you. Al-le-lu, al-le-lu-ia!
Prayer: Creator of all the earth, of all that is good, thank you that you still created that which is new and fresh in our lives and in the world.
Bless us as we worship you today. In Christ, Amen.
Praising God
One: Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer…I am about to do a new thing.
All: I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. You can declare my praise. (from Isa. 43)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
What is different for you since the pandemic began? What is good that is happening now? What is not so good? One thing good is that you still have those who love you very much. We don’t know exactly what things will be like after the pandemic, but we do know two things: You will still have family that loves you very much, and God still loves you and will provide good things to do.
Reflection: “Keep the Important and Rebuild the New” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson When I was a small child, my family moved to Pensacola, Florida where my father became pastor of a church there. From my five-year-old perspective, the church was huge. Next to it was the manse, our home. And what a house it was! A two-story Florida style stucco with two large porches, a front hall the size of a room, living room with fireplace, music room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen with walk in pantry, small back porch, four bedrooms, attic and 1 ½ baths.
When I was eight the church decided to buy the vacant lot next to our home, put the manse on it, and build an educational building where the manse was. Then they decided it was cheaper to tear down the old manse and build a new manse, than move the large home to the lot. Tear down that magnificent place that had meant so much to so many over the years! Tragedy of tragedies! It happened though, and the new place, though not as big, was something we all had a hand in designing, even us kids! Restore the old or build the new? This same issue faced us in rebuilding after the 2004 hurricanes that swept up the Peace River damaging or destroying 92% of the homes in DeSoto County, Florida. As the rebuilders we had to decide with each home whether to restore the old home or destroy the house and build a new home. Sometime the homes were in a safe condition to restore the old home. Sometimes the old was not safe. We weren’t just dealing with houses. We were dealing with people who had suffered tremendous loss. How could we help them keep what was important and build something new where necessary?
Keep the important things and build something new, as necessary. In our Acts text Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven and had gathered the disciples together. Their burning question was: “Is this the time when you will restore Israel?” Can we finally get back to Israel’s glory days, not plagued by the oppressive Roman Government? We need things as they were! Jesus’ reply included three significant points. First, “It’s not for you to know these things. There’s something more important for you to know and do.” The second thing he said was: “The Holy Spirit will give you power!” And then the “bomb dropped when Jesus said: “You will be my witnesses! You will start right here where you are now and expand to the end of the world!” A tall order and the promise of power to do it! It’s a good thing that was the command and the promise or where would we be today?
In a sense we are faced with this issue today during this pandemic. What needs to be restored and what needs to be changed to fit new times? I hear two different things from folks. Some say, “Let’s get back to the way things were before the pandemic!” Others say, “We will never be back there; there is a new normal!” This is hard folks! I miss the “good old days.” We need to take time to name what we miss, what we fear we will not get back. Let’s be honest with ourselves and each other. Let’s tell God what hurts, what we miss. Let’s also remember Christ charge: “You will be my witnesses!” Then let’s trust his promise: We will receive power from the Holy Spirit to witness now in the best way for these times!
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #606 “He Leadeth Me”
He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What-e’er I do, where-e’er I be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me; he leadeth me; by his own hand he leadeth me.
God’s faithful follower I would be, for by God’s hand he leadeth me.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes we get stuck! It’s hard for us to move forward, even when we hear you calling us to see new vistas of your work in the world. Forgive us. Give us courage and creative hearts to follow where you lead. Through Christ who forgives us and calls us. (reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanks for Wayne Montoya, who’s birthday was May 20th and Susie Ruiz, birthday is on the 24th. – On this Memorial Day weekend let us thank God for all who have given their lives for others, and let us pray that all nations may show that spirit of justice and mercy.
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for safety of our populations
– Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
– Prayers for Frances Rodriguez’ friend, Susie Archuleta as she recovers from surgery
- Pray for our wisdom in planning when and how to resume public worship safely
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. However, a task force and the Sessions of both churches are working and planning to reopen public worship as soon as we feel we can bring it to you safely. We know we all miss our worship together. We expect to have news for you in the near future. Our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
5th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 10, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. On this Mother’s Day we are especially grateful for all those who have nourished us. Guide us now as we worship you. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God (from Psalm 116:12-14)
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?.
All: I’ll lift up the cup of salvation; I’ll call on the name of the Lord.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Do you know what today is? How many letters in mother? Can you name six things about your mother that you love? Listen to the story about the widow mother in 2 Kings. What’s one thing about her that showed her faith?
Scripture: Please read 2 Kings 4:1-7; John 14:1-6 Reflection: “How Can We Know the Way? One Step at a Time” By Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
As a child I learned a gospel chorus that has stayed with me through the years. It is still something that we all need to be reminded of and we need to continually grow into its reality: “One step at a time; only one step at a time. This is the way the Lord will lead you: one step at a time. Take that one step prayerfully. Walk that one step carefully. This is the way to victory: one step at a time.” When Thomas said to Jesus: “Lord we don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?” Jesus responded: I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:5-6). We think of these words as referring to everlasting life. They do, but everlasting life is life right now in Christ as well as future life. In other words, Jesus is saying: “Thomas, you don’t need to know the way. You just need to trust me. I will lead you now, step by step!” The same was true for the single mother with two children in 2 Kings 2:1-7. Single mothers in Biblical times often found themselves in difficult circumstance. This is also true today, especially in these economically difficult times. The widow in today’s text was at the bottom financially. So much so that her children were being sold into slavery to pay her debts! So she turned to the prophet Elisha for help, because her husband had been a prophet and they trusted God. Elisha did not map out a plan ahead of time to get them out of debt, instead he said something strange: “Borrow empty vessels and fill them with the little oil which you do have. She and her children borrowed as many empty vessels as they could get from their neighbors. The oil expanded to fill all the vessels they could had. Then Elisha told her to sell the oil and pay her debts so her children would be safe, and they could live on what was left over. This mother trusted God each step of the way to meet their needs, without knowing what was ahead.
When just eight years old, Francine Christophe and her mother, who were Jews, were taken to a concentration camp in Germany. Dreading what was facing them Francine’s mother gave her a piece of chocolate. Mother said to her, “Save this chocolate. There will be difficult times ahead. If you feel faint, eat the chocolate and it will help you live.” Francine carefully hid the chocolate for safekeeping. Sometime later, when Helene, a family friend who was pregnant, went into labor, Francine gave the chocolate to her in case she needed it to live. Helene ate the chocolate and gave birth to a tiny, malnourished baby, so weak it didn’t cry or make a sound. Six months later they were freed from the concentration camp to return home to France. When they left the camp, Helene removed the rags encasing her baby and it cried for the first time. The baby was born! A few years ago, Francine Christophe organized a seminar to discuss with survivors, mental health professionals and historians issues relating to the mental health of survivors. A woman stood up in the discussion and said, “I am a psychiatrist from Marseille. I have something for Francine Christophe. Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a piece of chocolate and handed it to Francine saying, “I am the baby!” (from “Chocolate”, a video sent to me by David Bass.)
This story reminds me of the mothers who struggle today in difficult situations. Yet these mothers, as well as all of us, have something we can cling to, even more dependable than Francine’s chocolate! The Lord is there for us each step of the way. Like Francine’s willingness to share what she had, we can share the One who never let’s us down.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #601 (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of hope, forgive us when we fail to recognize Your presence with us. Help us to trust You in every situation. (silent reflection). Amen. Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas
NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer for Mothers In Unison
People: Loving Parent, we thank you for your gift of mothers, and for the good memories that we have of our mothers and all those who have been mothers to us, loving, nurturing and caring for us. We pray for mothers everywhere, that they may have wisdom and guidance as they love and nurture. We also pray for those mothers who struggle to provide basic necessities for their children. We pray for parents who do not nurture their children. Change their hearts and give them your love to share with their children, and give them strength and courage to do so.
Let us continue to pray for: our family, friends, those who are sick and those who are caring for the sick.
Remember Edna, David, Felix and Stella in prayer. For what else do you wish to pray?
Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
Home Worship for July 26, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; you alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; Al-le-lu—ia!
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. Open our hearts to you as we worship. May your Spirit touch us in our very place of need. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God
One: O give thanks to the Lord, call upon God’s name.
All: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. (Psalm 105:1&2)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
When you are feeling good, what is one of your favorite things to do? When you are sick, what is important to you? I remember when I was a kid and was sick, mother would spend a lot of time in my room with me. She may not even be talking with me. She may be reading, or writing or doing one of her household tasks, but she was in my room. Her presence was important to me. This is the way God is, when we need God he is there with us, just like we want our mother to be with us. God loves us no matter how we are feeling.
Scripture: Romans 8:28, 31-35, 37-39; Matthew 13:31-32
Reflection – “Seeing When We Can’t See” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Have you ever felt like God was laughing at (or with) you? That happened to me this week. I’ll explain. I have taken as a theme recently the words from Micah 6: “Do justice, embrace steadfast love, and walk attentively with your God.” Sunday I was journaling as I analyzed what I have done recently to do justice. I was chagrined to discover that most of what I have done recently was in my head, rather than in my actions: thinking about and affirming justice issues, rather than actually doing something in my life. So I determined that one thing I could do was give to those who are begging on street corners. I had done this before the pandemic, but had stopped during the corona virus because I felt they were safer going to social service organizations rather than standing on the corners. I decided this week to leave that judgement to God and resume my pre-pandemic custom. Sure enough, Monday returning from grocery shopping a man was siting on a walker seat at the corner of Zafarano and Cerrillos. As the lights would have it I pulled up in front of him and stopped. Usually Larry is driving and I just roll the window down and hand the person a couple of bucks. This time I was driving alone and there was no way to reach him, and he couldn’t stand up, I couldn’t toss the money to him for fear it would land out of his reach. (Furthermore, he wasn’t wearing a mask – a biggie to me!) There was nothing to do, but get out of my car with a line of traffic behind me, run around the car and reach my hand as far as I could, while he reached his hand as far as he could for the money! God didn’t make this easy, and by the time I got back in the car we were both laughing! I’ve thought about this man in the context of Paul’s assurance in Romans: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…I am convinced that nothing in life or in death or in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:28, 37-39). What do these verses mean for this man who was begging? Does he have anything to hope for? Does he know God’s love? What about everyone else who has been marginalized, who is at such an extreme disadvantage during this pandemic? What do these verses mean to this struggling world where there are fires, coronavirus wrecking death and heartache, and horrendous divisions among people, which seem to be escalating? I don’t see things getting better in the near future. I don’t have any proof that that all things “work together for good” for this man begging, for the world, for you and me! I ask myself how I can believe this Scripture when I have these questions which I cannot answer? Then the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13 nudges me. The good news of the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. How small, how unobtrusive. Yet it grows to a shrub and the birds find a home in it. Something is at work in those seeds even when we can’t see it. Kathryn Lewis, in Inviting a Kingdom Imagination writes that the promise of the parables is that even when the kingdom of heaven is not seen, it is near. This is the good news of the gospel: it is at work, here and now even when we don’t see it! Furthermore, part of understanding Scripture is embodying it in our lives, letting the truth live in us. I question and wonder, and not have answers, but still reach out and embrace the hope that nothing in life and death can separate us from God’s love. We can live into this hope as we seek to embody God’s love within us. Then we begin to see while not seeing: we see signs that God is at work around us and in us. Where do you see signs of the good news of God’s love as you look around you now?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #192 “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, light of the world shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine ono me; shine on me. Shine, Jesus,
shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
God of love, we thank you that you love us so much that nothing can separate us from your love. We pray for those who do not experience your love and pray that you will show us how to embody it in our own lives, particularly in this time of need. (silent reflection). Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Petition.
Thanksgiving for God’s guidance and love. - -
-Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
-Thanks for Grace Sandoval, who had a birthday last Sunday and David Bass, whose birthday is the 19h. Thanks for Bill Franke's birthday, July 25.
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices -
Prayers and thanks for those working in hospitals and research labs
-Thanksgiving for the beginning of delayed monsoon rains and for the harvests of apricots and produce.
- Prayers for Erasmo and Eunice’s daughter and her husband, Lisa and Wayne who have coronavirus. -
Prayers for David as he has treatment in Houston, and Leslee recovering from knee surgery
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #473 “Make Me A Blessing”
May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way, bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all; working for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
Dios de la es-pe-ran-za, da-nos go- zo y paz! Al mun-do en cri-sis, ha-bla tu ver-dad.
Dios de la jus-ti-cia, man-da-nos tu luz, luz y es-pe-ran-za en la os-cu-ri-dad.
O-re-mos por la paz, can-te-mos de tu amor, Lu-che-mos por la paz, fie-les a ti, Se-nor.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Regretfully Public Worship suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
7th Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for July 19, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. Open our hearts to you as we worship. May your Spirit touch us in our very place of need. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God
One: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
All: See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23&24)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Have you known anyone in school who is bullied by the other children? Have you ever been bullied? If you have you, you know how miserable it can be. No one deserves to be bullied. Usually someone who is bullied or teased by other children is different in some way. There’s nothing wrong with being different. In fact God made all of us to be special, that is different, because God loves us so much, and wants us to love others too. So if you see someone being bullied you may need to tell your teacher, who can do something about it. You can also remember to be especially nice to that person. We all need kindness shown to us.
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30,36-42; Romans 8:22-25
Reflection – “Patient Struggling” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
When I was a child the Hallmarks, a large family with four kids lived across the street from us. We were all part of a neighborhood of many kids, who gathered playing kick-the-can, foursquare and other games, some of which we invented. Two houses down from the Hallmarks lived the McAllisters. Mary Jo McAllister was a good friend of mine, but she didn’t play with the other kids in the neighborhood. Mrs. McAllister explained, “We don’t have anything to do with the Hallmarks. They weren’t nice to us.” This hostility was not shared by Mary Jo, who missed out on a lot of the neighborhood games. Have you ever witnessed this: resentments from one family to another continuing for years? The problem is it keeps the wrongdoing alive, poisoning those it touches.
The parable in our text from Matthew 13 illustrates these complexities. The farmer plants good seed. An enemy comes in the night and plants weeds. When the seed began to grow, the servants observed the weeds and ask the landowner if they should root out the weeds. The landowner’s response was: “No. In doing this, you will pull out the wheat along with the weeds.” Darnel was a weed that looked very much like wheat in the early stages of its growth. By the time it got mature enough to be recognized, it could not be separated from the wheat without also destroying the wheat. So the landowner said, “Leave it alone. It will be separated at harvest time.” Jesus then explained to his disciples that at the harvest it was his responsibility, not theirs, to separate the wheat from the weeds. In other words, leave it to God to make the judgements.
I’ve become aware of how polarizing this time in our world actually is. We struggle with nature, we struggle with each other, we are in a tug of war between economic needs and physical caution, between Democrats and Republicans, between freedom and safety, between conservatives and liberals, between tradition and racism, between ecologists and free enterprise. We either get caught up in taking sides and judging or find ourselves in a quandary over what choices to make. Where will all this end? The Apostle Paul said: “The whole creation is groaning, suffering labor pains…and we ourselves as we wait for the harvest.” It’s not easy, it’s not fun, this patient waiting, leaving the judgements to God. It’s not easy, either, to have to admit that there are ambiguities in life. Everything is not cut and dried. We must trust God to guide our choices and leave judgement to God. Yet we are given a steadfast hope. Hope is that to which we cling when we cannot see any reason to hope. Our hope is in the One who can guide us through all these unknowns with a certain and loving hand. This One asks us to trust, do justice, embrace steadfast love, walk attentively with our God, and leave judgement to our wise and loving God.
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #693 “Though I May Speak”
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.
Come, Sprit come, our hearts control; our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of hope, we sometimes lose ourselves, and lose touch with you in the hard business of living in difficult times. We sometimes resolve our own pain and struggles by blaming others. Forgive us, and help us to leave judgement to you. Give us hope at those times that we see no cause for hope, and help us to faithfully show your love, even when we struggle. (silent reflection). Amen.
Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas , NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern
- Thanksgiving for God’s guidance and love. - -
-Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
-Thanks for Grace Sandoval, who had a birthday last Sunday and David Bass, whose birthday is the 19h. - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices - Prayers and thanks for those working in hospitals and research labs
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Prayers for David as he has treatment in Houston, and Leslee recovering from knee surgery
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #473 “Make Me A Blessing”
Out on the highways and by-ways of life many are weary and sad; carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad. Make me a blessing, make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine. Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today. Pon de tu fe la vir-tud en ac-cion, A-ma, cual Cris-to te a-mo; Se fiel y em-ple-a en tu san-ta mi-sion el don que el cie-lo te dio, Haz-me u-na fuen-te De ben-di-cio-nes, Y que ful-gu-re Cris-to en mi; Haz-me un tes-ti-go, Te rue-go, Se-nor, Y un fiel o-bre-ro De mi Sal-va-dor. A-men. (El Himnario, stanza 3) Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Regretfully Public Worship suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
6th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for July 12, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: God of our life, thank you for your son Christ Jesus whose presence we can know when we turn to him in prayer. We thank you for your Spirit which leads us, guides us, and protects us in all times and in all places. May we take time out from our busyness to allow you, in Christ and the Spirit, to meet us where we most need you. Amen
Praising God
One: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
All: Your decrees are my heritage forever; and the joy of my heart. (Psalm 119:105 & 111)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Near where you live, are there trees, bushes, plants, flowers? Some of these may have been planted by someone. Usually these are around our home or in a garden. But what about all those along the roads and streets. Places where people really don’t care where they are growing? Read about the story of the Sower in Matthew 13. Can you picture a Sower scattering seeds wildly in all directions? God has lots of seeds. Birds, animals, and the wind scatter those seeds willy nilly over all the earth. When we show love and compassion to others, even those we don’t know, we become Sowers of God’s love and compassion. Think about that!
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23;
Reflection – “Invitations to JOY!” – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
This one is for me. I hope it speaks to you as well. There is so much going on in the world, in our nation, state, and communities that seemingly suck the joy out of life. But as Christians, followers of the God who comes to us in the living Jesus, the Christ, there is much beyond the dangers and sufferings of this world; of this place. All three of the scripture passages for today speak not only of joy, but also of abundance! The prophet Isaiah starts us off with: “For you shall go out with joy, and be led back with peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress, instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle, and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
As I write I can see the Aspen leaves dancing in the breeze outside our RV home. Such a sign of undisturbed joy and carefree life. Oh, that we could always witness the joy of existence in God’s love for all living creatures, “that shall not be cut off.” In addition, the apostle Paul declares to the Romans (and to us) “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” What a gift! What a promise! What a source of joy for us as children of God!
Then we read from Matthew the parable of the sower, or as Debi Thomas writes in the blog Journey with Jesus, “The Extravagant Sower”. I was raised on a farm in Maine. I was taught not to waste anything, especially not seed. But the sower in the parable wastefully scatters seed everywhere: hard ground, on rocks, among weeds. What are we to glean from this extravagance? Think of the trees, bushes, flowers, grass of the field, how they grow! God seems to have an endless supply of seeds. The sower understands this and joyfully scatters seed to the wind, to land wherever they may lie, serving God’s purpose for all the earth. Feeding birds, enriching bad soil, providing food and nourishment wherever they land. And some produce grain in various amounts. I hope we have all witnessed people and places abandoned by society yet rescued by love and compassion. We have seen what joy can be gleaned from generosity and self-giving actions for others. We may resist the carefree, seeming wastefulness of the sower. Yet the sower is the one Christ calls us, each and everyone, to follow and do likewise! Can we? Will we?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #300 We Are One in the Spirit”
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord; we are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
and we pray that all unity may one day be restored;
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Merciful, Gracious God, we admit we sometimes let the troubles around us keep us from the joy of your presence and your love, Help us to be still ------ and know that you are God. May we experience the joy of you with us. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Leslee Cordova having knee surgery July 14 & David Bass beginning long term treatment July 20
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #762 “When the Poor Ones”
When our homes are filled with goodness in abundance, when we learn how to make peace instead of war, when each stranger that we meet is called a neighbor, then we know that God still goes that road with us, then we know that God still goes that road with us.
Benediction: May the joy, love and peace of Christ be yours to share as you serve a risen Christ throughout your days. Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor are NOT holding sanctuary services. We continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
Upper Room for July/August is available in the baggie at SMPC.
5th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for July 5, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: O Lord, we thank you that you fill the whole earth with your presence and are present with us now as we worship you. May we worship you in reverence, gratitude and love. Through Christ. Amen
Praising God
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?.
All: I’ll lift up the cup of salvation; I’ll call on the name of the Lord.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Have you ever had your mother try to help you with something that you think you can do on your own? Do you say, “I can do it myself?”That’s what four-year-old Janet said. She was helping her mother set the table. She picked up a stack of eight good china plates in her little arms and said, “Look! I can lift them myself!” Before her mother could do or say anything Janet dropped all the china plates and they broke! It’s good to learn to do things ourselves, but we need guidance and help from someone bigger and wiser than we are. Don’t tell your parents I said this, but sometimes we adults think we can do things ourselves when we need God and someone else’s help. Sometimes we even need your help, and God is ready to help us all.
Scripture – Matthew 11:28-30
Reflection – “I Can Do It Myself!” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
As some of you know, I took a fall about ten days ago, hitting my head on concrete, and ending up in the emergency room for a cat scan and EKG. Everything was OK, but I was told to take it easy for a while. Now the only head pains I get are when I lift something too heavy I tend to get light headed. When I went grocery shopping yesterday, a couple of things I got where heavy for me to put in the cart, but I “toughed it out,” grunting them into the cart and pushing the heavily filled cart around the grocery store. Long before I got to check out, my head was feeling the pressure. The cashier always asks if I need help taking my groceries to the car, and I always say no. After all I don’t want anyone thinking I’m a decrepit “senior citizen!” However, yesterday when the cashier asked if I needed help, I hesitated, “Well, with a couple of the heavy things.” I finally said. By the time I got to the car, “I thought, “Why not let him put all the groceries in the car.” Of course, I felt so self-conscious that I had to offer the excuse that I had had a concussion and wasn’t supposed to be lifting! Yet, it was such a relief to not have to lift the heavy grocery bags and to get home and let Larry do the lifting.
As I thought about this, I thought, “That’s the way we are with God!” We pile the things we think we need in our burden carts, and try to lug the heavy burdens around. Like Janet with the china plates, we think we can do it ourselves. Our burdens are heavy: family responsibilities, inner struggles, dealing with relationships that often become more complex in the pandemic, sickness and concerns for our own and other’s health, financial burdens, etc. etc. etc. We try to handle it all. Yet the whole time, Jesus is saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Are there any of us that are not feeling the heaviness of our burdens? If you are like me, it’s easy to pray about our burdens, but then to pick up our burdens again, take them out of God’s arms and lug them away from God’s help.
There’s something else Jesus says to the burdened crowds: “Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light!” When we go down the grocery aisle of life, piling burdens into cart, are we piling in our burdens, the things we choose to lug around, or just the things God gives us to do: the easy burdens, God’s burdens are light! We tend to think our way is easiest, and following Christ is hard. That’s not what Jesus says.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #466, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Je-su-cris-to es nues-tro A-mi-go: De es-to prue-ba nos mos-tro,
Pues pa-ra lle-var con-si-go Al cul-pa-ble se hu-ma-no.
El cas-ti-go de su pue-blo En su muer-te El su-frio;
Cris-to es un A-mi-go e-ter-no; So-lo en El con-fi-o yo. (last verse; El Himnario, #318)
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes we think that we can “do it ourselves,” carry our own burdens. We think our burdens are lighter than your burden. We think that doing it our way is easier that following you. Be patient with us and forgive us. Give us the strength to trust in you and your way, letting you carry our burdens (silent reflection). Thank you, God, that you forgive us when we repent, through Christ, Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship you
- Thanksgiving that you are willing to take our burdens
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face increased coronavirus spikes; prayers that we will observe safety precautions. - Prayers for those weighted down by burdens and not knowing where to turn
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann.Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ We are sorry to announce that Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor are suspending public worship until further notice. This is because of the rise in coronavirus cases and our desire to maintain the safety of folks around us. Please check our websites for Sunday Home Worships and update announcements. https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
4th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Home Worship for June 28, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: O Lord, we thank you that you fill the whole earth with your presence and are present with us now as we worship you. May we worship you in reverence, gratitude and love. Through Christ. Amen
Praising God
One: Where can I go from your spirit?
All: If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and you right hand shall hold me fast. (from Psalm 139:7,9 &10)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you think of a time when you felt so good that you wanted to open your arms wide and embrace the world? Or just hug someone because it felt good to do so? Can you think of a time when you were tired, scared. Or just plain cranky and someone help you to feel better? Does it feel good to go to church, or pray and worship with your family? All these things can happen because God loves us and gives us these feelings deep inside. This is called abundant life. After the reflection below, you and your family can discuss this question: “What is abundant life?”
Scripture: John 10:1-5 & 10-11
Reflection – The Gift of Abundant Life – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Years ago I read an article in Discover magazine about a desert lake. The water had dried up in it and it had remained a dry lakebed for several decades. Then some very unusual weather had brought rain and streams flowing into the lakebed. Once again, it filled with water. Naturalists were amazed to find that there were fish and other water animals in the lake: water life that no one had supplied. They just appeared! Apparently, they had been dormant all those years beneath the dry sands of the lakebed.
Abundant Life is like that. There are times in our life when life can appear to be meaningless or dry, when it seems to squeeze the very life out of us. Then God’s life appears beneath the surface of things. It springs from “living water,” miraculously appearing, even in the desert of life’s situations. Abundant life in Christ is more than life after we die, it is life that flows from God giving vitality, joy, purpose and meaning. We can open ourselves to this abundant life, and allow God to nourish it, or we can ignore it, or busy ourselves with that which does not feed the life within us. Psychologist Abraham Maslow postulates that until we have our basic needs for food, clothing and shelter met, we are not able to direct our energies to life’s deeper meanings. There are those who have to struggle to exist, who do not have adequate food and shelter. Do you think their basic struggles for existence directs their energies away from that which nourishes abundant life? How do you think Christ can relate to them through us?
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #601 (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes it’s hard to recognize and feel your presence with us. Sometimes it’s hard to trust you. Be patient with our weakness, forgive our lack of faith. Open our hearts to your abundant life, and give us joy and strength as we experience your presence in us (silent reflection). Thank you, God, that you always forgive us when we repent, through Christ, Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial is now holding services Sundays at 9:30 AM, El Buen Pastor at 10:30 AM. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services are shorter than normal, and we seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ Communion is one the first Sunday of the month. If you attend. please bring your own communion. It can be a piece of bread or cracker, or whatever you desire. If you wish to bring water or juice that is fine but not necessary. When Jesus fed the five thousand, folks brought to Jesus whatever they had, and he blessed it!
3nd Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for June 21, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering on God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #824 “There Is a Place of Quiet Rest”
There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God, a place where we our
Savior meet, near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the
heart of God, hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.
Prayer: Marvelous, Creator God, thank you for all you have provided for us, in times of uncertainty and in times of surety. Bless us as we worship you today in spirit and in truth. Amen.
Praising God
One: You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
All:Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (Psalm 86:4&5)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Today is Father’s Day, a holiday in this country when we celebrate the lives of our fathers and fathers around the world. What do you call your father? Daddy? Pop? Papa? Have you ever thought of God as Daddy? Jesus called his father Abba. In the Aramaic language, which Jesus spoke, it means something like Daddy. How might this help you to think about God as your Daddy, too? The Bible tells us God is love, how might this help your father or grandfather think about their role as Daddy?
Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 2:41-49
Reflection: “Daddy Changed the World” – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
A cartoon in the New Mexican suggested that we should cancel the year 2020 and start over. Just when we think it can’t get much worse, it seems to. If we were to consider such a radical interruption, realizing the impossibility of that task, we need to hold onto several truthes as worshipers of a Creator God who seems to have in the past, created all there is from chaos. Yes, from the very stuff that is without order, without form, without any sense of purpose, God created the world. And God is creating something new, right now, “do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). I have to admit that it is extremely difficult for me to see what God might create out of this pandemic. So many people have died and still will die. So many families, communities, whole countries have been devastated in so many unexpected ways, and recovery seems a distant possibility, if at all.
Then, like a meteor from outer space, we are bombarded by the shooting death of George Floyd by police, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Somewhat unexpectedly, this atrocious event ignites protests, riots, and retaliation, not only in Minneapolis, not only in Minnesota, not only in the United States of America, but around the world. The pandoras box of racial injustice, oppression, and murder has been reopened and the world, the whole world, is demanding change, an end to these horrific, murderous actions on black people, on all people of color, and on those without power, on those without voices in this country, the land of the free and the home of brave.
George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter was suddenly left without a father, her Daddy. When interviewed by a less than sympathetic reporter, this 6-year-old little girl responded with, “Daddy changed the world.” Now, I don’t know if someone gave her these words to say or not, but I like to think that the Spirit of God, rested on her in that moment and provided her with a prophetic message for the world. After all, Jesus’ message to his disciples made it clear that, it is to such as these children that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19: 14). I wonder, also, if a 12-year-old Jesus may have pronounced similar words to the Jewish leaders in the Synagogue in Jerusalem when he was accidently left behind following the Feast of Passover. “Abba, Daddy will change the world.” “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Or in some translations “be about my Father’s interests?”
God has not abandoned the world to the forces of evil. Quite the contrary, God is at work through all kinds of people, real live heroes, to bring the world into a better place, a place closer to the Creators will. Amen.
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #822 “When We Are Living”
When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus, and when we’re dying, it is in the Lord.
Both in our living and in our dying, we belong to God; we belong to God.
Pues si vi-vi-mos, pa-ra E’l vi-vi-mos, y si mo-ri-mos pa-ra E’lmo-ri-mos.
Sea que vi-va-mos o que mu-ra-mos, so-mos del Se-nor, so-mos del Se-nor.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God in all our life.
Loving God, your heart must be broken when so many of your creatures turn your world into a violent and deadly place to live. Move us from apathy. Challenge us to reach out to those in need. Give us voices and the courage to take part in your reconciliation and peace. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #762 “Cuando el pobre” (When the Poor Ones)
Cuan-do el po-bre na-da tie-ne y au’n re-par-te, cuan-do un hom-bre pa-sa sed y a-gua nos da,
Cuan-do el d’e-bil a su her-ma-no for-ta-le-ce, va Dios mis-mo en nustro mis-mo ca-mi-nar.
Va Dios mis-mo en nustro mis-mo ca-mi-nar.
When at last all those who suffer find their comfort, when they hope though even hope seems hope-less-ness, when we love though hate at times seems all around us, then we know that God still goes the road with us, then we know that God still goes that road with us.
Benediction: Know that, no matter the events around us, God still goes the road with us. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ As we continue to meet in worship, out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ Ann & Larry will be taking some time out the week of June 23-29. Georgia Ortiz (505-692-9599) will be available for Pastoral assistance in Chimayo and Margaret Franke (505-689-2443) will be available in Truchas.
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
2nd Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for June 14, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering on God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength and shield, to you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: Be in our minds and our hearts as we worship you, O God. Bless us in our prayers, singing, and reflection on your word to us this day. Amen.
Praising God
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me.
All: I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lod in the presence of God’s people. (Ps. 116:12&14)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s too good to be true?” Have you ever felt like that when something good has happened, so good it felt unbelievable? God does things for us that are unbelievably good. Can you name something that good? How can you help others to see good things God does?
Scripture: Genesis 18:9-14
Reflection: “Sarah Laughed” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Etty Hillesum was in her 20’s during the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. Though a Jew she was only nominally religious, but as the world was darkened in turmoil, she began to experience God in her life. Working first at the concentration camp as a volunteer social welfare worker, she then became a prisoner there, having refused offers to go into hiding. She believed it was her duty to help others who were imprisoned. In September of 1943 she was moved to Aucshwitz where she was executed.
Two things about Etty Hillesum especially stand out to me. She continually saw both the horrors and suffering around her and the unsurpassed beauty of God’s good creation. How hard it is for us, when things seem impossibly difficult to see the good that God continues to do! The other amazing thing about Hillesum is that she chose to occupy a place in the world where others could connect with God through her. She took responsibility for making God credible in the world. She took responsibility for God’s credibility! Sometimes when we are weighted down with our own struggles it is easy to become self-absorbed. Not so, Etty. She wanted to represent God to others.
Since I read the Genesis 16:9-14 this past Monday, Abraham’s wife Sarah has been on my mind. Her laugh haunts me. What kind of a sound was it? What was she saying? I thought about her life. It had not been easy. She probably had no choice in whom she married; she was uprooted by him (Abram, whose name was changed to Abraham) to go to who knows where, wandering, living in tents; when they were in Egypt, Abram tried to pass her off as his sister, willing to risk her being taking into Pharaoh’s haram, to save his own skin. Yet probably the worst thing for her was that she could not bear Abraham a child. This was the whole purpose for a Hebrew woman, so she gave Abram her slave, Hagar, to bear Abram a son. Now she is pushing ninety. Strangers appear and in true Mideastern custom Abram extends hospitality to them. While they are eating, one of the strangers speaks to Abram (Sarah is not even present) and says that Sarah will have a child. Sarah is listening behind the door! When this ninety-year old woman hears this, she is not ready to believe this news. She laughs! I mean who has answered her prayers up to this point? Who has even listened to her desires and wishes? And now, at age ninety, after all she’s been through! “Give me a break!” Finally, her laugh is heard! The stranger responds, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? To me, as I think about her life, I think it is no wonder that God did not have a great deal of credibility with her. I think about Etty Hillesum and her feeling of responsibility to make God credible to others. Who was there for Sarah? Who was listening to this voiceless woman and making God credible for her?
This week as I have watched the news, the protests, George Floyd’s funeral, and heard one person after another speak out about our systemic racism, I have thought about all the people like Sarah, treated like their voices don’t count. Like they are not equally precious in God’s sight: people of color, Jews, women, indigenous people, and the list goes on. In Matthew 9:36-10:7, Jesus saw the crowds, how they were “harassed and helpless”. He sent his disciples out to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is near and show it by their actions. In other words, like Etty Hillesum, to make God credible to all those who have been “harassed and helpless” in this world. Jesus still sends his disciples out to do this. Jesus still sends his disciples out with this mission. How do we respond?
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #14 “Make Me a Blessing”
Out on the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life make Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray; Make me a blessing to someone today.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God our creator, forgive us when we forget how important we are to you. Forgive us when we forget that you are still watching over us. Give us faith in your forgiveness. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for those that have been misunderstood, harassed and treated as if they don’t matter
- Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in “Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our lives with joy and peace; let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial will began public worship this Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin this Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
Trinity Sunday
Home Worship for June 7, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #1 “Holy, Holy, Holy!”
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Prayer: Merciful and mighty God, who is far greater than the limits of our understanding, draw near to us as we worship you. Bless us in our prayers, singing, and reflection on your word to us. Amen.
Praising God
One: O Lord our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
All: O Lord our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1&9)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Our Bible reading for today tells us something about God, about ourselves and our world. It is a long reading and sometimes it’s hard to listen to something long, So I’m going to give you a special job so you can help the adults around you understand the Scripture. I want you to count every time God says that what he created was good. That’s important because it also means he made us all and we are special. So, let’s count!
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-27 & 31; 2:1-3; Matthew 28:16 & 17
Reflection: “Does It Matter?” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Our Elders that go to Presbytery can tell you that one of the first things that happens when we arrive is that we are greeted and given a name tag. On the tag is written our name and the name of our church. Where we are from is one of the major ways we identify each other. As I read the Genesis text I realize it is not a scientific account of how the world was created, but a beautiful poetic story of “where we are from.” At this time in the life of our world it seems important to be reminded of some of these things.
We come from a God who creates. Specifically, God created the world out of chaos, a formless swirling void. God saw the possibilities in this chaos and created something wonderous from this chaos! This has been a particularly chaotic week across our nation. With the death of George Floyd protests have sprung up all across the nation, some of them peaceful demonstrations, some of them turbulent. Besides this chaos we have the already existing chaos of the pandemic. Where and when will it end? Who will it strike next? The God who creates is still with us. What is God trying to tell us in this chaos? What new possibilities can God create out of all this chaos? We come from a God who sees. Six times, at the end of every act of creation, God pauses and sees what has been created, delights in it and says it is good. A few years ago, I had a choral director who was very expressive. She would continually express her delight in the music, not just with her hands but her face and her whole body, sometimes jumping completely of the floor. God sees, and delights in the good creation. I believe God is still seeing the creation, in all of its beauty and in all of its travail. God even sees our turmoil in the chaos of our personal lives and the life of the world. God sees this as the fertile ground for creating something new. God sees us as we are and continues to love us as a part of this good creation.
We come from the likeness of God. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created us male and female in the image of God. We don’t know exactly what that means, but we know that we bare God’s imprint and this speaks of our intrinsic value. It does not say that only a certain person from a certain race or a nation is unique and precious. We all are! We all come from God. When we get discouraged with ourselves we can remember that we are in God’s image. When we want to give up on someone else we can remember that they were created in God’s image. George Floyd, lying beneath the knee of the cop, was created in the likeness of God. So was the cop who knelt on him. So are the protesters. Sometimes this image becomes distorted. Yet, can we look at ourselves and others as coming from the likeness of God and treat them as if they are in God’s image? Does “where we come from” matter to us at this time? That is, do we believe it so much that it makes a difference in our experience of ourselves and the world today. Matthew 28:16-17 tells us that the disciples worshiped the risen Christ, and some doubted. I think that describes each one of us: we worship God, and sometimes we don’t believe 100%; in other words, we don’t believe enough for it to really matter in the way we see ourselves and our world with all its chaos and amazing possibilities. Doubting is not necessarily bad because it shows that we take faith seriously, and sometimes that involves a struggle. Yet sometimes our doubting keeps us from trusting the God who comforts us. We can trust our God who can create new possibilities for us now, who still sees and delights in the good in this creation, and has made us all in the Divine image, no matter who we are. (Debi Thomas with Journey With Jesus and Janet Hunt of Dancing with the World have contributed to my thinking in this reflection.)
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #14 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies: Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God our creator, forgive us when we forget how important we are to you. Forgive us when we forget that you are still watching over us. Give us faith in your forgiveness. (silent reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanksgiving for God’s good creation with all its possibilities
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions and prejudices
- Prayers for the safety of our populations and all those gathering to worship today - Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our lives with joy and peace; let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope.
Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Smith Memorial will begin public worship this Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin on Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
Pentecost Sunday
Home Worship for May 31, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through my wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind in the sea.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, on this Pentecost Sunday, come alongside us in our worship. Be in our hearts and our understanding as we worship you.
Praising God
One: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
All: May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104: 33&34)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you share a time when you were not sure of the right thing to do and you parents or teacher helped you? Can you remember a time when scared or confused and someone helped you? That’s also God helping you. Today is Pentecost Sunday. Do you know what that is? This is the day when we celebrate God’s Spirit coming to us and showing us how to live in ways that please God. The Spirit guides us when we forget what is right and helpso do the right thing. As you listen to the Scripture see if you can tell the different ways the Spirit came to people who trusted God. Reflection: “Coming Alongside Us” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
The summer after I graduated from college I traveled to Europe with my parents. We covered eleven countries in three weeks: a whirlwind experience! Yet surprisingly we were able to visit some out of the way places, as well as some famous spots. In the Netherlands we took a boat out to the little village of Markham and wandered around there. I became fascinated with a wedding and followed the procession for awhile through the streets of the town. Suddenly I looked around and could not find my parents anywhere. I realized I had no idea of the name or the address of the hotel where we were staying in Amsterdam. Pictures flashed through my mind of me wandering the streets for who knows how long in a country where I didn’t even speak the language. I was terrified! What could I do? About that time my parents came alongside of me and said, “Ann where have you been? We’ve been looking for you!” Whew! Was I glad to see them! This experience reminds me of the way the Holy Spirit comes along side of us to guide and direct us when we lose our way. This is Pentecost Sunday, one of our major celebrations in the Christian year. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to 120 believers 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. The Holy Spirit descended on those gathered in a dramatic way: a strong wind, flames of fire, speaking in other languages other than their own. Yet the ways of the Spirit are not always that dramatic. That’s why I like the story in John 20 as a contrast with our Acts 2 Pentecost story. It was right after Jesus’ resurrection when the disciples were fearfully huddled together behind locked doors. Jesus comes to them to them saying, “Peace be to you. As the father has sent me, so have I sent you.” And he breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” How gently the Holy Spirit came, not forcing, but wanting to be invited: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” This Pentecost is a strange one for us. We are not gathered together because of the coronavirus. Yet in so many ways we are together: in fear, restlessness, loss, and in hope, faith and expectation of what God can do. The Holy Spirit comes alongside of us showing us the way to witness to Jesus Christ here and now and wanting to be received by us. The Spirit comes alongside of us to speak in someone else’s language. This is far more than just knowing their language and its syntax. It is listening and understanding their culture and context, and being willing to speak as one of them, coming alongside them. Can we receive the Holy Spirit in this way, listening closely to others so we know them and they feel comfortable listening to us? The Spirit comes alongside us when we lose our way and forget that we are to go into the world to spread the good news of the One who welcomes sinners, loves us all, and frees those bound in chains.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #286 “Breathe in Me, Breath of God”
Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew,
that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear Holy Spirit, we need you to come alongside of us and breathe your life into us.
Forgive us when we forget that we are to represent Christ to others. (silent reflection) Through Christ. Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM
or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanks, and congratulations to Kaitlyn Sandoval, who graduated from Santa Fe High School.
- Thanksgiving for all those who have heard the Spirit’s call and shared Christ with us and others.
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other - For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for the safety of our populations
– Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
- Pray for our wisdom in planning when and how to resume public worship safely
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope.
Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public worship will be beginning soon! Smith Memorial will begin on Sunday, June 7 at 9:30 AM. El Buen Pastor will begin on Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:30 AM Please note the different dates for each church. Out of respect and loving concern for the health of everyone the services will be shorter than normal, and we will seek to maintain a healthy environment for you. We look forward to seeing you! We will continue our Sunday Home Worship for those who are unable, or do not feel comfortable attending public worship. For more information please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
6th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 24, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you. Al-le-lu, al-le-lu-ia!
Prayer: Creator of all the earth, of all that is good, thank you that you still created that which is new and fresh in our lives and in the world.
Bless us as we worship you today. In Christ, Amen.
Praising God
One: Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer…I am about to do a new thing.
All: I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. You can declare my praise. (from Isa. 43)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
What is different for you since the pandemic began? What is good that is happening now? What is not so good? One thing good is that you still have those who love you very much. We don’t know exactly what things will be like after the pandemic, but we do know two things: You will still have family that loves you very much, and God still loves you and will provide good things to do.
Reflection: “Keep the Important and Rebuild the New” - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson When I was a small child, my family moved to Pensacola, Florida where my father became pastor of a church there. From my five-year-old perspective, the church was huge. Next to it was the manse, our home. And what a house it was! A two-story Florida style stucco with two large porches, a front hall the size of a room, living room with fireplace, music room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen with walk in pantry, small back porch, four bedrooms, attic and 1 ½ baths.
When I was eight the church decided to buy the vacant lot next to our home, put the manse on it, and build an educational building where the manse was. Then they decided it was cheaper to tear down the old manse and build a new manse, than move the large home to the lot. Tear down that magnificent place that had meant so much to so many over the years! Tragedy of tragedies! It happened though, and the new place, though not as big, was something we all had a hand in designing, even us kids! Restore the old or build the new? This same issue faced us in rebuilding after the 2004 hurricanes that swept up the Peace River damaging or destroying 92% of the homes in DeSoto County, Florida. As the rebuilders we had to decide with each home whether to restore the old home or destroy the house and build a new home. Sometime the homes were in a safe condition to restore the old home. Sometimes the old was not safe. We weren’t just dealing with houses. We were dealing with people who had suffered tremendous loss. How could we help them keep what was important and build something new where necessary?
Keep the important things and build something new, as necessary. In our Acts text Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven and had gathered the disciples together. Their burning question was: “Is this the time when you will restore Israel?” Can we finally get back to Israel’s glory days, not plagued by the oppressive Roman Government? We need things as they were! Jesus’ reply included three significant points. First, “It’s not for you to know these things. There’s something more important for you to know and do.” The second thing he said was: “The Holy Spirit will give you power!” And then the “bomb dropped when Jesus said: “You will be my witnesses! You will start right here where you are now and expand to the end of the world!” A tall order and the promise of power to do it! It’s a good thing that was the command and the promise or where would we be today?
In a sense we are faced with this issue today during this pandemic. What needs to be restored and what needs to be changed to fit new times? I hear two different things from folks. Some say, “Let’s get back to the way things were before the pandemic!” Others say, “We will never be back there; there is a new normal!” This is hard folks! I miss the “good old days.” We need to take time to name what we miss, what we fear we will not get back. Let’s be honest with ourselves and each other. Let’s tell God what hurts, what we miss. Let’s also remember Christ charge: “You will be my witnesses!” Then let’s trust his promise: We will receive power from the Holy Spirit to witness now in the best way for these times!
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #606 “He Leadeth Me”
He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What-e’er I do, where-e’er I be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me; he leadeth me; by his own hand he leadeth me.
God’s faithful follower I would be, for by God’s hand he leadeth me.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes we get stuck! It’s hard for us to move forward, even when we hear you calling us to see new vistas of your work in the world. Forgive us. Give us courage and creative hearts to follow where you lead. Through Christ who forgives us and calls us. (reflection) Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Thanks for Wayne Montoya, who’s birthday was May 20th and Susie Ruiz, birthday is on the 24th. – On this Memorial Day weekend let us thank God for all who have given their lives for others, and let us pray that all nations may show that spirit of justice and mercy.
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for safety of our populations
– Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
– Prayers for Frances Rodriguez’ friend, Susie Archuleta as she recovers from surgery
- Pray for our wisdom in planning when and how to resume public worship safely
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. However, a task force and the Sessions of both churches are working and planning to reopen public worship as soon as we feel we can bring it to you safely. We know we all miss our worship together. We expect to have news for you in the near future. Our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
5th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 10, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #626 “As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. On this Mother’s Day we are especially grateful for all those who have nourished us. Guide us now as we worship you. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God (from Psalm 116:12-14)
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?.
All: I’ll lift up the cup of salvation; I’ll call on the name of the Lord.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Do you know what today is? How many letters in mother? Can you name six things about your mother that you love? Listen to the story about the widow mother in 2 Kings. What’s one thing about her that showed her faith?
Scripture: Please read 2 Kings 4:1-7; John 14:1-6 Reflection: “How Can We Know the Way? One Step at a Time” By Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
As a child I learned a gospel chorus that has stayed with me through the years. It is still something that we all need to be reminded of and we need to continually grow into its reality: “One step at a time; only one step at a time. This is the way the Lord will lead you: one step at a time. Take that one step prayerfully. Walk that one step carefully. This is the way to victory: one step at a time.” When Thomas said to Jesus: “Lord we don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?” Jesus responded: I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:5-6). We think of these words as referring to everlasting life. They do, but everlasting life is life right now in Christ as well as future life. In other words, Jesus is saying: “Thomas, you don’t need to know the way. You just need to trust me. I will lead you now, step by step!” The same was true for the single mother with two children in 2 Kings 2:1-7. Single mothers in Biblical times often found themselves in difficult circumstance. This is also true today, especially in these economically difficult times. The widow in today’s text was at the bottom financially. So much so that her children were being sold into slavery to pay her debts! So she turned to the prophet Elisha for help, because her husband had been a prophet and they trusted God. Elisha did not map out a plan ahead of time to get them out of debt, instead he said something strange: “Borrow empty vessels and fill them with the little oil which you do have. She and her children borrowed as many empty vessels as they could get from their neighbors. The oil expanded to fill all the vessels they could had. Then Elisha told her to sell the oil and pay her debts so her children would be safe, and they could live on what was left over. This mother trusted God each step of the way to meet their needs, without knowing what was ahead.
When just eight years old, Francine Christophe and her mother, who were Jews, were taken to a concentration camp in Germany. Dreading what was facing them Francine’s mother gave her a piece of chocolate. Mother said to her, “Save this chocolate. There will be difficult times ahead. If you feel faint, eat the chocolate and it will help you live.” Francine carefully hid the chocolate for safekeeping. Sometime later, when Helene, a family friend who was pregnant, went into labor, Francine gave the chocolate to her in case she needed it to live. Helene ate the chocolate and gave birth to a tiny, malnourished baby, so weak it didn’t cry or make a sound. Six months later they were freed from the concentration camp to return home to France. When they left the camp, Helene removed the rags encasing her baby and it cried for the first time. The baby was born! A few years ago, Francine Christophe organized a seminar to discuss with survivors, mental health professionals and historians issues relating to the mental health of survivors. A woman stood up in the discussion and said, “I am a psychiatrist from Marseille. I have something for Francine Christophe. Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a piece of chocolate and handed it to Francine saying, “I am the baby!” (from “Chocolate”, a video sent to me by David Bass.)
This story reminds me of the mothers who struggle today in difficult situations. Yet these mothers, as well as all of us, have something we can cling to, even more dependable than Francine’s chocolate! The Lord is there for us each step of the way. Like Francine’s willingness to share what she had, we can share the One who never let’s us down.
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #601 (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of hope, forgive us when we fail to recognize Your presence with us. Help us to trust You in every situation. (silent reflection). Amen. Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas
NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer for Mothers In Unison
People: Loving Parent, we thank you for your gift of mothers, and for the good memories that we have of our mothers and all those who have been mothers to us, loving, nurturing and caring for us. We pray for mothers everywhere, that they may have wisdom and guidance as they love and nurture. We also pray for those mothers who struggle to provide basic necessities for their children. We pray for parents who do not nurture their children. Change their hearts and give them your love to share with their children, and give them strength and courage to do so.
Let us continue to pray for: our family, friends, those who are sick and those who are caring for the sick.
Remember Edna, David, Felix and Stella in prayer. For what else do you wish to pray?
Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
4th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 3, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo,
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: God of all goodness, hear our prayer. Take from us the fears that surround us. Give us the
courage of knowing your love and care for us, especially now. May we share our faith with
others that they, too, may know your all-consuming love and share your peace, through
Christ our living Lord. Amen.
Praising God (Psalm 27:1-4)
One: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid?
All: When evil doers assail me to devour my flesh -- my adversaries and foes – they shall stumble
and fall.
One: Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, yet I will
be confident.
All: One thing I ask of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days
of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Have you ever thought of yourself as a sheep? How about your family and friends? Sheep are useful for clothing and food and sometimes as pets. But they are not the smartest animals on the planet. Yet they do have one redeeming feature: they follow their leader exclusively. When we lived in Arizona, I watched a flock of more than 100 sheep follow a shepherd and obey his dogs as they traveled several miles across roadways and the desert. They flowed like a river of wool, packed tightly together, everywhere they were led. As followers of Jesus this is what we are called to do. Jesus asked us to love one another. That’s what followers do.
Scripture: John 10:1-10; Psalm 23; Acts 2:41-47;
Meditation: “The Lord is My Shepherd” Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
“The Lord is my shepherd.” These are the opening words of one of the most favorite Psalms, Psalm 23. And yet I wonder: do I, do we, always follow the shepherd whom we profess to follow as the Savior of the world? When the sobering news of the latest statistics filter across the screens of our televisions and cell phones, whose words and instructions do we follow? Being isolated, wearing a mask, washing hands often, staying at home as much as possible, purchasing only what we need, praying for those on the front lines of this pandemic. Do we follow Christ’s call to love God and neighbor enough to take all the precautions necessary to prevent spreading the virus to those God loves as much as us, our neighbors, and all those we come in contact with?
If the Lord is our shepherd and we will not want, shouldn’t others not want either? If we get to lie down in green pastures, by still waters and have our souls restored, don’t others deserve the same? Shouldn’t all God’s children be led in right paths, through dark valleys and in the shadow of death and be comforted by the very nature of God? This Psalm is not exclusive to any one person, group, or faith. God does not discriminate. All should have a table with nutritious food set before them. All should not have to live in fear of an enemy, human or virus. All should have a cup which overflows, so that all may experience goodness and mercy all the days of their life and dwell in the house of the Lord their whole life long.
Jesus, too, is quite explicit in John 10. Those who try to sneak into the fold by another way, are not his sheep, not his followers. Those who follow Christ are held to a higher standard because we have heard his voice and follow his commandments. Luke writes in Acts 2, those who welcomed Peter’s message concerning the resurrection of the Christ, were baptized in the name of Christ, about three thousand persons in one day! A miracle or just following their, our, shepherd? Amen.
Sing or Speak: GtG #465 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” vs. 1
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to
God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit; O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess those times we have fallen short of God’s expectations.
Merciful God, we come before you aware that we do things we should not and leave undone things we should do. Correct us, love us, and help us to follow your Christ more closely. (silent reflection) Amen. Thank you God for the gift of your son. Make us worthy to be your children as well. Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas
NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Thanks for finding ways to connect with each other
Thanks for family and friends
Thanks and prayers for those working on the front lines serving us during the pandemic
Thanks and prayers for the continued recovery of Edna Martinez, David, Felix and Stella
Prayer that we will recognize and follow our Shepherd;s voice
Prayers for those suffering from, or vulnerable to, the coronavirus
Prayer for those in economic distress and those suffering from drug, alcohol or domestic abuse
For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann so that the congregation may join you in
prayer, Contact information is in ”Announcements” below.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #462 “I Love to Tell the Story”
I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story; ‘twill be my theme in glory to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
Benediction: Who are you following? Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light. Follow your shepherd Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
6th Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for May 1, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #288 “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
To’mame, ca’mbiame, lle’name, u’same. Santo Espi’ritu de Dios, ven sobre mi’.
Prayer: O Lord, we thank you that you fill the whole earth with your presence and are present with us now as we worship you. May we worship you in reverence, gratitude and love. Through Christ. Amen
Praising God
One: Where can I go from your spirit?
All: If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your
hand shall lead me and you right hand shall hold me fast. (from Psalm 139:7,9 &10)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Time – Ann Graham-Johnson
Six-year-old Janet had to dance in her school play. As she was getting dressed to go to school she said to her mother, “I’m scared. What if I mess up!” Her mother quickly replied, “Don’t be afraid. God will be with you and will help you.” Janet looked around, not seeing God, she looked at her mother and said, “But I want a God with skin on!” Does God have skin on? No? Yes? Sometimes? How can we recognize God?
Scripture: Acts 17:22-28a
Reflection: “Where is God Now?” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Let’s be honest! Six-year-old Janet had a point. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if God had skin on, so we could easily recognize the One whom we so desperately need? God does often have skin on, but no name tag reading “God”. I shared with you the time I saw God in a woman sitting on a trash pile in Mexico feeding a chick. God appears in many ways and forms. It would be so much easier if there was a clear sign which read, “This is God!”
Our scripture text is part of a sermon Paul preached to the intellectuals in Athens, Greece. He said, “Even though people ‘search for God…He is not far from each one of us, for in God we live and move and exist’.” I believe deep down each one of us is searching for something beyond ourselves, searching for God. Sometimes we search for God by other names like peace, security, acceptance, belonging, power. What if we could actually see God right here with us? What if we look within us and experience peace, purpose and wellbeing? What if we look around us and see others and all creation as signs of God? “In God we live and move and exist!” Can you imagine God as near to you as the breath you breathe? A Hebrew word for Spirit is “breath.”
Now let’s push searching for God further! Where do you see God now, in this pandemic? If Paul is right, and God is so close that we live and move in God, where do you see God now? Think about what God is like. How can you recognize God now? Take some time to talk about this. The Psalmist said, “Where can I go from your spirit? …If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.” (from Psalm 139: 7,9 & 10).
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #443 “I Need Thee Every Hour”
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; no tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
Dear God, sometimes it’s hard to recognize and feel your presence with us. Sometimes it’s hard to trust you. Be patient with our weakness, forgive our lack of faith. Open our eyes to your amazing work in your world and give us joy and strength as we experience your presence with us (silent reflection). Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns
- Felix Vigil is home from the hospital.
- Thanksgiving for Wilfred Romero, who’s birthday was May 12th .
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for safety of our populations -
Prayers for Judith Hert’s family. Judith passed away Wednesday evening, May 13th .
– Thanksgiving and prayers for members and friends who are recovering from illness
– Prayers for Patricia Tafoya in the loss of her husband Ray, who passed away on April 26th.
- For what other concerns do you wish to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, O, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believing, enabling us to share this hope. Through Christ, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia at plputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
+ Thursday evenings Westminster Presbyterian in Santa Fe has a zoom Taize Service. If you are interested contact Patricia Putnam and she will give you the information needed for connecting with the service.
3
rd Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for April 26, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: El Himnario (back cover) “La Doxologia/The Doxology”
A Dios el Padre celestial, Al Hi-jo nues-tro Redentor,
Y al e-ter-nal Con-so-la-dor, U-ni-dos to-dos a-la-bad. A-men
Prayer: We lift our hearts to you in love and gratitude. May our singing, praying, and listening and reflecting upon your word equip us to better live in praise to you. Through Christ, Amen
Praising God (from Psalm 116:12-14)
One: What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?.
All: I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.
One: I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
All: I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection - Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson Who are your favorite people to eat with? What is a dinner that you ate that you remember, and what was special about it? In our scripture today a stranger met two friends on a road to the village of Emmaus. He went into their home and shared a special meal with them. Listen carefully to the story and see if you can figure out who the stranger was, and what amazing thing happened at the meal they shared.
Scripture: Luke 24:13-36
Meditation: “From Hopelessness to Burning Zeal” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
C. S. Lewis wrote that when his wife, Joy, died he thought if he avoided those places that he and Joy had frequented he would feel less grief. He soon discovered that did not work. Lewis said, “I found that grief is like the sky above – it covers everything.” Have you ever felt like that? That nothing will take you out of the feelings that engulf you, whether it is grief, or hopelessness or even joy? As Cleopas and his friend, started on the road to Emmaus, everything felt hopeless. All their hopes had been placed in Jesus as the Redeemer of Israel. But now he was dead. With dreams shattered, they trudged toward Emmaus trying to leave all the pain behind, but it wasn’t working, so they nursed their grief as they talked.
Then a stranger approached them, asking them what was going on, what they were talking about. They told him about the fate of Jesus and their dashed hopes. The stranger heard them exactly where they were, but slowly showed them a much bigger picture of this One for whom they grieved. He opened the scriptures in a way that they had never seen before. Surprisingly energized, the black sky of hopelessness began to lift. They began to catch this stranger’s vision.
As they approached Emmaus the stranger started to leave them, but something in them wanted more of him, and they urged him to stay the night. Cleopas placed bread on their table, and they all sat down. The stranger picked up the bread, blessed and broke it, and handed it to them. Then an amazing thing happened! They immediately recognized him as the Christ, and he vanished. Just like that! Now truly energized by joy and burning with zeal they dashed back to Jerusalem to share the good news: Jesus was alive!
A number of years ago I went to Mexico with a group of Presbyterians. We rode out to several small villages where churches warmly welcomed us. Outside the gate of one of the churches I saw Christ sitting on a pile of trash. This was not a hallucination: it was an elderly woman in worn clothes. At the edge of the trash pile was a little chick. Totally focused on this little chick’s need, she gently reached out to it with a piece of bread. I knew I was seeing Christ, Christ as an elderly woman on a pile of trash feeding bread to the one in need. My prayer is this: In any rubble which collects in our lives and the life of this world, or on any hopelessly dark road, may we recognize the Christ who joins us there, and let him nurture us and touch our darkness into light, filling us with joy and wonder and a burning zeal to share our hope with a world that longs for it. Amen
Sing or Speak: Hymns For the Family of God #299 “He Lives”
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever others say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives salvation to impart! `
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of hope, forgive us when we fail to recognize Your presence with us. Help us to trust You in every situation. (silent reflection). Amen. Thank you, God that you know our weakness, forgive us and renew our faith, through Christ, Amen
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
- Thanks that we have a God that is with us, offering us hope in any situation.
- Thanks that we can find new ways to connect with others and can spend our time in creative ways. -Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers, medical supplies
- Continued prayers for Edna Martinez, David Bass and Gloria’s and Jesse’s daughter
- For Felix and Stella Vigil’s recovery from the coronavirus and thanks for their improvement
- Prayers for those suffering from the coronavirus, especially those hospitalized and alone
- Concerns for those with economic need, and that we will respond to those in need. -
- Prayers that people will observe precautions and that the spread of covid-19 may cease. - Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers, refugees and others on the margins - Prayer for those in research that cures and vaccines may come soon
- Those dealing with domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse during this time.
- For what other concerns would you like to pray?
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann. Contact information in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: Glory to God #765 “May the God of Hope Go With Us”
May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way, bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace; singing share our joy with all;
working, for a world that’s new; faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
Benediction: May the God of hope give us joy and peace in believe, and enable us to share this hope. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/ + The Taize group worships in spirit Wednesdays at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
2nd Sunday of Easter
Home Worship for April 19, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo,
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #466
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; you alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; Al-le-lu—ia!
Prayer: You are the Great I Am, O God Most Holy. You have created life, redeemed our lives from
the evil of this world, through your Son Christ Jesus, and you maintain our lives through
the workings of your Holy Spirit. How can we thank you? Hear now our worship and
praise as we celebrate life, even in the midst of all the chaos on this earth. May we know
your peace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Praising God (Psalm 16:1-2, 9-11)
One: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
All: I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
One: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure; All: For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
One: You show me the path of life.
All: In your presence there is fulness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
“Peace be with you!” The disciples had locked themselves in a house. Jesus had been killed and they were afraid for their own lives. They had witnessed his death on a cross. They did not expect to see him again. But, as he had promised, Jesus appeared to them, in spite of the locked doors. Because they were terrified, his first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” Not once but twice he gave them these words. The PEACE Jesus talks about is “wellbeing: health, safety, and comfort. Sometimes we have to hear things twice, or more, to understand what someone is telling us, especially when it is something we don’t expect to hear. In this scary time of the coronavirus we need to hear that if we follow the rules of washing, keeping distance from others, and let our parents know if we begin to feel bad, we will be OK. So, “Peace be with you,” and your family and friends. Jesus wants you to know that, always.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:
Meditation: “Peace Be with You” Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Still our minds and hearts, O God, that nothing will distract us from your word for us today. Amen.
Late in my Seminary studies, I had the opportunity to attend the General Assembly meeting in Syracuse, NY. On the return trip to Ohio I stopped by Niagara Falls. As I was observing the USA side of the falls, I noticed a single seagull standing on one leg very near where every minute millions of gallons of water flowed over the edge and crashed to the bottom. The gull was calmly preening its feathers with little awareness of the tumult surrounding it. Obviously, there was a rock just beneath the surface of the rapidly flowing stream on which it felt safe and secure.
The disciples had lost their “ROCK.” Nothing Jesus had said in the past stayed with them to give them courage. They were terrified. Jesus appeared and showed them his hands a side, gave them his Shalom, Peace, and their lives would never be the same.
So much information is plummeted us during this time: pandemic crisis; economic disaster; disruption of family, social, and church life; uncertainty about who and what to believe. And much of these are promoted as life threatening. What are we to do? 1 Peter gives us hope: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” If we live as “Easter People,” our Rock will always be there for us. Amen.
Sing or Speak: GtG #353 vs. 1-3
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground
is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide his face, I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain)
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God, our solid Rock, in times of extreme unsettledness, give us patience, help us to move beyond ourselves to give love, comfort, and care to those who most need it at this time. We trust you and need your love. (silent reflection). Amen. Thank you, God for encouraging us and strengthen our faith. Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering:
You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM
or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
- Thanks that in dark times we have assurance of our life in Christ and God’s presence with us
-Thanks and prayers for health of public workers, first responders, medical and health workers - Edna Martinez recovering from surgery
- Edna Duran’s Birth day was Thursday. She may appreciate a card. - Felix, who has been very sick with coronavirus, is now off the ventilator.
– Felix Vigil’s wife, Stella at home with coronavirus
- Time at home to grow in our relationships with God and others
- Gloria’s and Jesse’s daughter who is a nurse
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatments in Houston
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates.
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers, and those in refugee camps and prisons
- World healing of this virus!
- Prayer for those in research seeking cures for the virus
- Those dealing with domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse during this time.
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins
– Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann Contact information is in ”Announcements.”
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: El Himnario #318 “!Oh, Que Amigo Nos Cristo! (What a Friend We Have in Jesus!) !Oh que Am-i-go nos es Cristo! El ll vo nuestro do-lor, El nos man-da que lle-ve-mos
To-do a Dios en O-ra-cion, ?Vi-ve el hombre des-pro-vis-to De paz, go-zo y san-to a-mor?
Es-to es por-que no lle-va-mos To-do a Dios en o-ra-cion.
Benediction: May the Rock of our Salvation remain our hope and promise throughout our days. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended until further notice. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ The Taize group worships in spirit every Wednesday at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in your own home please email Patricia atplputnam@gmail.com. To receive songs, scripture and prayers for our worship each week.
Easter Sunday
Radio Broadcast Worship for April 12, 2020
KDCE 950 AM radio; also 106.3 FM or 100.7 FM, 11 – 11:25
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
Centering On God
CHRIST IS RISEN! Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Truchas and El Buen Presbyterian Church in Chimayo warmly welcome you to our Easter Worship this morning. I’m Ann Graham-Johnson, the pastor, and with me are Larry Graham-Johnson, the parish associate, Jeremiah Martinez and David Garcia the musicians. Please pray with me:
“Grant us peace, O Lord, and may we experience your resurrection life as we worship you today, through Christ, Amen.
Praising God Music by Jeremiah Martinez and Dave Garcia.
He is Lord, he is Lord! He is risen from the dead, and he is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
He is love, He is love! He has shown us by his life that he is love!
All his people sing with one voice of joy that Jesus Christ is love!
He is life, he is life! He has died to set us free and he is life!
And he calls us all to live forevermore, for Jesus Christ is life.
Reflecting On God’s Word
Scripture: John 20:1-3, 11-16 – Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Prayer – Larry Graham-Johnson
Meditation: “Resurrection in the Darkness – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Responding to God’s Word
Hymn: Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today! Al-le-lu-ia!
All creation, join to say: Al-le-lu-ia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!
Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!
Lives again our glorious King, Al-l-lu-ia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Al-le-lu-ia!
Jesus died our souls to save, Al-le-lu-ia!
Where your victory, O grave? Al-le-lu-ia!
Concluding in Peace
Prayer and Blessing: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Choral Response: “It is Well With My Soul” – Nashville studio singers performing in cell phone choir
abababababab
JOYS AND CONCERNS
- Thanks that in dark times we have assurance of our life in Christ and God’s presence with us
-Thanks and prayers for health of public workers, first responders, medical and health workers - Edna Martinez recovering from surgery
- Edna Duran now cancer free
- Frances Rodriguez ‘s thankfulness for family, their good health, friends, and her church family - Jesse Vigil’s brother Felix, hospitalized with coronavirus and very sick
– Felix Vigil’s wife, Stella at home with coronavirus
- Time at home to grow in our relationships with God and others
- Gloria’s and Jesse’s daughter is a nurse having to work while pregnant; concerns for her health.
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatments in Houston
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates.
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers, and those in refugee camps and prisons who can’t self-isolate; - World healing of this virus!
- Prayer for those in research seeking cures for the virus
- Those dealing with domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse during this time.
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins
– Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann See ”Announcements” for contact information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Watch and participate with us next week. You will receive your home worships so you can follow along. + Regretfully or regular Public Worship is suspended until further notice. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
God bless us, one and all!
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas, NM
El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo, NM Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc. Pianist: Bill Franke / TriniRae Romero
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
All of us are following news about the coronavirus pandemic. Many churches are temporarily closing it’s doors to public worship, We are doing the same for the next four weeks. It is with concern that I write of the Sessions decision. Yes, I think it is the prudent and safe thing to do in light of risks involved. Yet, on the other hand, I think worship is central to the life of a congregation.
Many years ago, my wise spiritual director showed me that there is an opportunity in every situation. As temporarily cease our regular worship, I am eager to discover how we can personally learn and grow from this pandemic, and as congregations, worship and reach out to others in ways we don’t usually do. Our families and friends
One opportunity is to grow in our faith: This pandemic has made me more aware of our connectedness, not just to our own families, friends, and communities, but to the whole world. Furthermore, the quality of our connectedness matters! It is a time to let God stretch our prayer life as we pray for our sisters and brothers all over the world, and identify with them. It is a time to grow in trusting in God’s promise to walk with us all through our dark valleys.
Another opportunity is to grow in our understanding of worship and our connection to others in worship! I know this sounds strange, if we’re not having “public” worship. But I believe God is encouraging us to look beyond how we regularly do things to connect and worship in other ways during this month. God says through scripture: “I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:19. In case, we have no idea how this will work God promises: “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known.” – Isaiah 42:16. What a great promise, when we are feeling rather blind!
So what can we do to worship and to connect? I admit this is a challenge for me to think about! It will require me thinking and learning about stuff I’m not familiar with. Ugh!
1) I (or Larry, depending on whose turn to preach!) will prepare a weekly Home Worship for you to share with your family. If you live alone, call a friend and use it to worship with them! My challenge is to figure out the best way to distribute this Home Worship, since some of you don’t have computers, or I don’t have your emails. Please help me with this: give me ideas and emails. 2) Margaret Franke will utilize our website for both Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor for ways of our regularly communicating. We are still working out what to do, how to honor El Buen Pastor’s connection with this. The website is: https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/. 4) Use the Home Worship and the website as a way of communicating back to us your joys and concern, just as we do in church weekly so we can all share them. If you receive the Home Worship by email, you can simply “respond all”, or just “respond” if you just want Ann to get it. 5) Use Home Worship’s “sharing of joy’s and concerns” to get your church directory and pray for several you don’t usually pray for. Call them and let them know you are praying for them. 6) Some churches in our Presbytery have set up live streaming worship that we can all connect to. This is one area I need to learn about, and I imagine most of you do to. Anyway, there are ways to join in their online services. We will keep you informed with instructions, etc.
Please let’s all make this a time to worship and reaching out in new ways, so that we can learn the wonderful things God has in store for us. With love, blessings & expectations, Ann
5th Sunday In Lent
Home Worship for March 29, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo, Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #175
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you, Al-le-lu, al-le-lu=ia!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life, be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Amen
Praising God
One: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. .
All: O Israel. Hope in the Lord! For with the Lord is steadfast love, and with God is great power to redeem.
(Psalm 130, selected portions, New Revised Standard Version)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
How many of you like macaroni and cheese? As a kid I thought that my Grandma made the best macaroni and cheese in the world! Part of my memory was being with my family while I ate it. But imagine what it would be like to bite into a mouthful of macaroni and cheese, if the macaroni had not been cooked. Ugh! It would be hard. You might possibly even crack a tooth on it or lose a tooth if it was loose! In the Scripture today we see that God could make dry dead bones connect and become people that were alive, like you `and me. I can even imagine them dancing together and enjoying each other! This shows that God can make hard times (like dry macaroni) into something good. Can you think of a time when you were afraid, or didn’t want something, and it turned out good? Was there something that you didn’t want to do, and you ended up liking it, or learning something from doing it?
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Meditation: “Together Apart” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Keep five feet apart…socially isolate…no gatherings of more than five people. When we decided not to have public worship, I became concerned about what would happen to our congregants if we were cut off from each other. The children of Israel were in captivity at the time of Ezekiel 37. They were upset about their separation from their homeland: The Israelites also felt cut off from God because they thought God was in the Temple in Jerusalem, not in Babylon! It was as if their very life depended on their connectedness with others and God, and now what hope was there? “Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” (Ez. 37:11) They felt like disconnected dry bones lying all over the valley.
So much has separated our world: race, culture, national governments and boundaries, feuds with friends or family, economics, religion, and on and on. We have been living in a “we-they” world. In Ezekiel‘s Vision, the wind of God’s Spirit started blowing and the bones started coming together: “the head bone connected to the neck bone; the neck bone connected to the shoulder bone” etc. as the song goes. God was reminding the Israelites that their God was a God of life and connectedness, always present to them and for them, no matter how disconnected and hopeless they felt! In these difficult times, I have seen hopeful signs of God’s powerful presence bringing the world together as brave people put themselves at risk for others, as scientists around the world work to put an end to this pandemic, as many boundaries of prejudice disappear, even while other boundaries necessary for physical wellbeing are erected. I think God can use our difficulties to remind us that the Divine Presence is always near, waiting to bring life and hope – and connectedness to us all.
Affirmation of Faith: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38 & 39)
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys – Edith Brown reports the good news that Cecil’s doctor said he was now cancer free.
- More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- More time for family; increased awareness of the needs of others.
- Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia) -
Ruth’s niece Lori is doing well and just got married.
- Connie Medina’s birthday was Saturday, Mar. 28. Call to wish her a Happy Birthday!
Concerns: - Edna Martinez fell and broke her leg below her knee and will need surgery.
- Gloria and Jesse daughter is a nurse having to work while pregnant; concerns for her health.
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates. (request from Leslee).
– Family and friends of Daniel Herrera, who passed away last week. He will be missed.
- Irene Roybal’s health (requested by Irene)
- Brenda & Wilfred having coughs and sore throats. Wilfred’s niece, who has cancer.
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self-isolate;
refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (request by Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! (requested by Layla and Gilbert)
- Susie Ruiz & her family who each have physical pain and lot of loss in past 2 years (from Susie)
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatment in Houston
– Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann See ”Announcements” for contact information.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #318
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love through out the whole wide world.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, what-e’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended for two more weeks, or until further notice.. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at: https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
God bless us, one and all!
4th Sunday In Lent
Home Worship for March 22, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo,
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #466
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; you alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; Al-le-lu—ia!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life, be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Amen
Praising God
One: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want .
All: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my
soul. He leads me in the right paths for his name sake.
One: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and
staff—they comfort me.
All: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
One: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord my whole life long. (Psalm 23, New Revised Standard Version)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you remember a time when you were afraid of the dark? What was that like? I remember when I was about four years old, Mother was cooking supper and asked me to go to my room to get something. To do so I had to go down a long hall. It was dark at the other end of the hall and in my room. I went back to Mother, and said, “I can’t! It’s dark, and I’m afraid!” Mother said, “Come with me.” and took me back down the hall and into my dark room. She turned on the light, saying: “See, there’s nothing here that can hurt you. It’s OK!”
Even if you’re not afraid of the dark, there are times when we all are afraid. Psalm 23 says that God is with us and caring for us in the good times and the scary or dangerous times. Close your eyes and thank God for the constant care we receive from the Lord.
Scripture: Psalm 23
Meditation: “Green Pastures and Dark Valleys” Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Speak to our hearts, O Lord, that we may hear your message to each of us. Amen.
A scene from Italy: an opera singer singing while folks cheered, a musician directing while folks joyfully sang along, planes flying overhead displaying their national colors, someone leading aerobic exercises while folks joined in the exercises. All this happened while each was on their own home balcony, joining with their neighbors in affirmation of life, while they were being restricted to their homes in a country devastated by the coronavirus. This reminds me of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…even when I walk through the darkest valley you are with me.” Imagine yourself, like the psalmist meandering through verdant pastures where you lie down to rest. Then God gently guides you beside peaceful waters, where the breeze is gentle and the waters calming. Then when you are feeling lost or confused God directs your path. Yet, there are difficult times; the path now leads through life’s darkest valley, a frightening valley, where there are shadows that threaten death. Is God even there? Just as you start to lose hope, cringing fear, you experience an overwhelming sense of God’s grace, like a table laden with nourishing and scrumptious foods, comfort foods! God invites you to partake of these heavenly foods right there in the presence of those looming, deadly shadows (like the neighbors in Italy singing and cheering from their balconies, in spite of the coronavirus). Then God’s hands seem to reach down and soothingly touch you on your head like the healing, anointing oil of the ancient ones. It is enough: you realize that it is not fear and death that pursue you, it is God’s goodness and faithful love that will always follow you: You will dwell in God’s shelter and protection your whole life long and into forever. What are some of the green pastures and soothing waters you have experienced? When have you felt lost and received God’s guidance? In what dark valleys do you need to trust God’s presence?
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of all comfort, in difficult times, we often find it hard to trust in your love and care. We tend to focus on the dark valleys rather than your abundant grace. Give us courage and joy in trusting you. (silent reflection). Amen.
Thank you, God for forgiving us and giving us faith to trust you!
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys - More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- More time for family; increased awareness of the needs of others -
Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia)
- David Bass’s successful surgery and his continued recovery (from Ann)
- The Romero’s safe return from Hawaii (from Ann)
Concerns: - Small businesses and concern for paying employees, high school, college & other program
graduates who have worked hard to attain this (request from Leslee).
- Irene Roybal’s health (requested by Irene)
- The Romeros Brenda and Wilfred’s health, they are having coughs and sore throats and think it’s allergies,
but are having trouble getting information;
Wilfred’s niece has cancer (Brenda)
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self isolate; refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (request by Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! We can do it with God’s help!! Never give up and use your head! Don’t go to the stores unless absolutely necessary. (from Layla) -
Susie Ruiz & her family who each have physical pain and lot of loss in past 2 years ( from Susie)
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann so that the congregation may join you in
prayer, Contact information is in ”Announcements” below.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #288
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended for next 3 weeks. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
Palm Sunday
Home Worship for April 5, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #196 or El Himnario #113 (refrain)
All glory laud and honor to thee, Redeemer, King, to who the lips of children made sweet
hosannas ring! Thou art the king of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.
OR
A Cris-to dad ho-san-nas: Him-nos, can-tad a Cris-to con triun-fo y gran-de acla-ma-cion.
Glo-ria al Se-nor! Ho-san-na! Glo-ria al que vie-ne tra-yen-do-nos sal-va-cion!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life. Be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Through Christ, amen.
Praising God One: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
All: This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:21&24)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday? Yes, it was when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The important thing to remember about this is that he was coming in peace. He was coming to show us that in spite of how rough things would get, he loved us and God’s love would always be the most important thing in our lives. Actually, when he rode into Jerusalem, that was a parade. A parade is a time for celebrating. Have you ever been to a parade, or in a parade? What were you celebrating? If you could be in a parade right now, what good things would you want to celebrate? Thank God for these things you celebrate.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11; Philippians 4:6-7
Meditation: “Why a Parade?” – Rev, Ann Graham-Johnson
They loved parades in the small town in central Florida where I worked doing disaster recovery following the hurricanes of 2004. It seems they would use any excuse to hold a parade. We would laugh about it in our staff: “Why a parade now?” That’s what I used to think, even as a child, when it came to Palm Sunday and we would wave our palms and celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. “Why a parade?” What’s there to rejoice about? Just five days later we would commemorate his suffering and death. The “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem was his approach to death. It made no sense! What I didn’t know was that “Hosanna,” which the crowds shouted, means “Save now!”. It was needed in that time of political oppression. How many times in our lives have we had that panicked cry to God, “Help me! Now!”?
The crowd was crying for help at the same time that God was already offering redemption. This was not the help they had in mind, but was something all encompassing. God’s help is reaching out arms of love and forgiveness to everyone. Through Jesus God reached out to those who were considered of no importance, to those who were sinners, to those treated unjustly. To each of us. Through Jesus, even when things look the darkest, we can know that God will have the last word. Life, hope, love, peace, forgiveness will prevail. That’s a reason for a parade!
Affirmation of Faith: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace on God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys – Edith Brown reports the good news that Cecil’s doctor said he was now cancer free. -
Time at home grow in our relationships with our family and God.
- Time to reflect and grow in our understanding of ourselves.
- More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia)
- Ruth’s niece Lori is doing well and just got married. -
Layla’s Birthday was April 2. Wish her a happy Birthday.
Concerns: - Edna Martinez had surgery on her broken leg.
- That our time at home will be a time of growing in our relationships with our families and God.
- Gloria’s and Jesse’s daughter is a nurse having to work while pregnant; concerns for her health.
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates. (Leslee).
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self-isolate;
refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! (requested by Layla and Gilbert)
- Prayer for those in research seeking cures for the virus. (Frances)
- Those dealing with domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse during this time.
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatments in Houston. – Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann See ”Announcements” for contact information.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #288
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espiritu de Dios, ven sobre mi. Santo Espiritu de Dios, ven sobre mi.
Tomame, cambiame, llename, usame. Santo Espiritu de Dios, vev sobre mi.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ BIG NEWS – Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor will hold a worship service on KDCE 950 AM radio; also 106.3 FM or 100.7 FM. Easter Sunday Morning from 11:00 to 11:25. Watch and participate with us next week. You will receive your home worships so you can follow along. + Regretfully or regular Public Worship is suspended until further notice. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
God bless us, one and all!
El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo, NM Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc. Pianist: Bill Franke / TriniRae Romero
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
All of us are following news about the coronavirus pandemic. Many churches are temporarily closing it’s doors to public worship, We are doing the same for the next four weeks. It is with concern that I write of the Sessions decision. Yes, I think it is the prudent and safe thing to do in light of risks involved. Yet, on the other hand, I think worship is central to the life of a congregation.
Many years ago, my wise spiritual director showed me that there is an opportunity in every situation. As temporarily cease our regular worship, I am eager to discover how we can personally learn and grow from this pandemic, and as congregations, worship and reach out to others in ways we don’t usually do. Our families and friends
One opportunity is to grow in our faith: This pandemic has made me more aware of our connectedness, not just to our own families, friends, and communities, but to the whole world. Furthermore, the quality of our connectedness matters! It is a time to let God stretch our prayer life as we pray for our sisters and brothers all over the world, and identify with them. It is a time to grow in trusting in God’s promise to walk with us all through our dark valleys.
Another opportunity is to grow in our understanding of worship and our connection to others in worship! I know this sounds strange, if we’re not having “public” worship. But I believe God is encouraging us to look beyond how we regularly do things to connect and worship in other ways during this month. God says through scripture: “I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:19. In case, we have no idea how this will work God promises: “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known.” – Isaiah 42:16. What a great promise, when we are feeling rather blind!
So what can we do to worship and to connect? I admit this is a challenge for me to think about! It will require me thinking and learning about stuff I’m not familiar with. Ugh!
1) I (or Larry, depending on whose turn to preach!) will prepare a weekly Home Worship for you to share with your family. If you live alone, call a friend and use it to worship with them! My challenge is to figure out the best way to distribute this Home Worship, since some of you don’t have computers, or I don’t have your emails. Please help me with this: give me ideas and emails. 2) Margaret Franke will utilize our website for both Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor for ways of our regularly communicating. We are still working out what to do, how to honor El Buen Pastor’s connection with this. The website is: https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/. 4) Use the Home Worship and the website as a way of communicating back to us your joys and concern, just as we do in church weekly so we can all share them. If you receive the Home Worship by email, you can simply “respond all”, or just “respond” if you just want Ann to get it. 5) Use Home Worship’s “sharing of joy’s and concerns” to get your church directory and pray for several you don’t usually pray for. Call them and let them know you are praying for them. 6) Some churches in our Presbytery have set up live streaming worship that we can all connect to. This is one area I need to learn about, and I imagine most of you do to. Anyway, there are ways to join in their online services. We will keep you informed with instructions, etc.
Please let’s all make this a time to worship and reaching out in new ways, so that we can learn the wonderful things God has in store for us. With love, blessings & expectations, Ann
5th Sunday In Lent
Home Worship for March 29, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo, Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #175
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you, Al-le-lu, al-le-lu=ia!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life, be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Amen
Praising God
One: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. .
All: O Israel. Hope in the Lord! For with the Lord is steadfast love, and with God is great power to redeem.
(Psalm 130, selected portions, New Revised Standard Version)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
How many of you like macaroni and cheese? As a kid I thought that my Grandma made the best macaroni and cheese in the world! Part of my memory was being with my family while I ate it. But imagine what it would be like to bite into a mouthful of macaroni and cheese, if the macaroni had not been cooked. Ugh! It would be hard. You might possibly even crack a tooth on it or lose a tooth if it was loose! In the Scripture today we see that God could make dry dead bones connect and become people that were alive, like you `and me. I can even imagine them dancing together and enjoying each other! This shows that God can make hard times (like dry macaroni) into something good. Can you think of a time when you were afraid, or didn’t want something, and it turned out good? Was there something that you didn’t want to do, and you ended up liking it, or learning something from doing it?
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Meditation: “Together Apart” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Keep five feet apart…socially isolate…no gatherings of more than five people. When we decided not to have public worship, I became concerned about what would happen to our congregants if we were cut off from each other. The children of Israel were in captivity at the time of Ezekiel 37. They were upset about their separation from their homeland: The Israelites also felt cut off from God because they thought God was in the Temple in Jerusalem, not in Babylon! It was as if their very life depended on their connectedness with others and God, and now what hope was there? “Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” (Ez. 37:11) They felt like disconnected dry bones lying all over the valley.
So much has separated our world: race, culture, national governments and boundaries, feuds with friends or family, economics, religion, and on and on. We have been living in a “we-they” world. In Ezekiel‘s Vision, the wind of God’s Spirit started blowing and the bones started coming together: “the head bone connected to the neck bone; the neck bone connected to the shoulder bone” etc. as the song goes. God was reminding the Israelites that their God was a God of life and connectedness, always present to them and for them, no matter how disconnected and hopeless they felt! In these difficult times, I have seen hopeful signs of God’s powerful presence bringing the world together as brave people put themselves at risk for others, as scientists around the world work to put an end to this pandemic, as many boundaries of prejudice disappear, even while other boundaries necessary for physical wellbeing are erected. I think God can use our difficulties to remind us that the Divine Presence is always near, waiting to bring life and hope – and connectedness to us all.
Affirmation of Faith: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38 & 39)
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys – Edith Brown reports the good news that Cecil’s doctor said he was now cancer free.
- More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- More time for family; increased awareness of the needs of others.
- Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia) -
Ruth’s niece Lori is doing well and just got married.
- Connie Medina’s birthday was Saturday, Mar. 28. Call to wish her a Happy Birthday!
Concerns: - Edna Martinez fell and broke her leg below her knee and will need surgery.
- Gloria and Jesse daughter is a nurse having to work while pregnant; concerns for her health.
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates. (request from Leslee).
– Family and friends of Daniel Herrera, who passed away last week. He will be missed.
- Irene Roybal’s health (requested by Irene)
- Brenda & Wilfred having coughs and sore throats. Wilfred’s niece, who has cancer.
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self-isolate;
refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (request by Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! (requested by Layla and Gilbert)
- Susie Ruiz & her family who each have physical pain and lot of loss in past 2 years (from Susie)
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatment in Houston
– Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann See ”Announcements” for contact information.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #318
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love through out the whole wide world.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, what-e’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended for two more weeks, or until further notice.. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at: https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
God bless us, one and all!
4th Sunday In Lent
Home Worship for March 22, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo,
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #466
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; you alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace; Al-le-lu—ia!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life, be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Amen
Praising God
One: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want .
All: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my
soul. He leads me in the right paths for his name sake.
One: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and
staff—they comfort me.
All: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
One: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord my whole life long. (Psalm 23, New Revised Standard Version)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Can you remember a time when you were afraid of the dark? What was that like? I remember when I was about four years old, Mother was cooking supper and asked me to go to my room to get something. To do so I had to go down a long hall. It was dark at the other end of the hall and in my room. I went back to Mother, and said, “I can’t! It’s dark, and I’m afraid!” Mother said, “Come with me.” and took me back down the hall and into my dark room. She turned on the light, saying: “See, there’s nothing here that can hurt you. It’s OK!”
Even if you’re not afraid of the dark, there are times when we all are afraid. Psalm 23 says that God is with us and caring for us in the good times and the scary or dangerous times. Close your eyes and thank God for the constant care we receive from the Lord.
Scripture: Psalm 23
Meditation: “Green Pastures and Dark Valleys” Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Speak to our hearts, O Lord, that we may hear your message to each of us. Amen.
A scene from Italy: an opera singer singing while folks cheered, a musician directing while folks joyfully sang along, planes flying overhead displaying their national colors, someone leading aerobic exercises while folks joined in the exercises. All this happened while each was on their own home balcony, joining with their neighbors in affirmation of life, while they were being restricted to their homes in a country devastated by the coronavirus. This reminds me of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…even when I walk through the darkest valley you are with me.” Imagine yourself, like the psalmist meandering through verdant pastures where you lie down to rest. Then God gently guides you beside peaceful waters, where the breeze is gentle and the waters calming. Then when you are feeling lost or confused God directs your path. Yet, there are difficult times; the path now leads through life’s darkest valley, a frightening valley, where there are shadows that threaten death. Is God even there? Just as you start to lose hope, cringing fear, you experience an overwhelming sense of God’s grace, like a table laden with nourishing and scrumptious foods, comfort foods! God invites you to partake of these heavenly foods right there in the presence of those looming, deadly shadows (like the neighbors in Italy singing and cheering from their balconies, in spite of the coronavirus). Then God’s hands seem to reach down and soothingly touch you on your head like the healing, anointing oil of the ancient ones. It is enough: you realize that it is not fear and death that pursue you, it is God’s goodness and faithful love that will always follow you: You will dwell in God’s shelter and protection your whole life long and into forever. What are some of the green pastures and soothing waters you have experienced? When have you felt lost and received God’s guidance? In what dark valleys do you need to trust God’s presence?
Confession of Sin: Let us confess where we have failed to trust God.
God of all comfort, in difficult times, we often find it hard to trust in your love and care. We tend to focus on the dark valleys rather than your abundant grace. Give us courage and joy in trusting you. (silent reflection). Amen.
Thank you, God for forgiving us and giving us faith to trust you!
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys - More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- More time for family; increased awareness of the needs of others -
Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia)
- David Bass’s successful surgery and his continued recovery (from Ann)
- The Romero’s safe return from Hawaii (from Ann)
Concerns: - Small businesses and concern for paying employees, high school, college & other program
graduates who have worked hard to attain this (request from Leslee).
- Irene Roybal’s health (requested by Irene)
- The Romeros Brenda and Wilfred’s health, they are having coughs and sore throats and think it’s allergies,
but are having trouble getting information;
Wilfred’s niece has cancer (Brenda)
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self isolate; refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (request by Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! We can do it with God’s help!! Never give up and use your head! Don’t go to the stores unless absolutely necessary. (from Layla) -
Susie Ruiz & her family who each have physical pain and lot of loss in past 2 years ( from Susie)
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann so that the congregation may join you in
prayer, Contact information is in ”Announcements” below.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #288
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ Public Worship suspended for next 3 weeks. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
Palm Sunday
Home Worship for April 5, 2020
Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Truchas; El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Chimayo
Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Assoc.
We encourage you to conduct this worship with your family, or if alone, with a friend on the phone.
Centering On God
Sing or Speak Together: Glory to God #196 or El Himnario #113 (refrain)
All glory laud and honor to thee, Redeemer, King, to who the lips of children made sweet
hosannas ring! Thou art the king of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.
OR
A Cris-to dad ho-san-nas: Him-nos, can-tad a Cris-to con triun-fo y gran-de acla-ma-cion.
Glo-ria al Se-nor! Ho-san-na! Glo-ria al que vie-ne tra-yen-do-nos sal-va-cion!
Prayer: God of all our lives, we thank you for your gift of life. Be with us in our worship,
that we may grow in our faith and our love for you and each other. Through Christ, amen.
Praising God One: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
All: This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:21&24)
Reflecting On God’s Word
Children’s Reflection: Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday? Yes, it was when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The important thing to remember about this is that he was coming in peace. He was coming to show us that in spite of how rough things would get, he loved us and God’s love would always be the most important thing in our lives. Actually, when he rode into Jerusalem, that was a parade. A parade is a time for celebrating. Have you ever been to a parade, or in a parade? What were you celebrating? If you could be in a parade right now, what good things would you want to celebrate? Thank God for these things you celebrate.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11; Philippians 4:6-7
Meditation: “Why a Parade?” – Rev, Ann Graham-Johnson
They loved parades in the small town in central Florida where I worked doing disaster recovery following the hurricanes of 2004. It seems they would use any excuse to hold a parade. We would laugh about it in our staff: “Why a parade now?” That’s what I used to think, even as a child, when it came to Palm Sunday and we would wave our palms and celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. “Why a parade?” What’s there to rejoice about? Just five days later we would commemorate his suffering and death. The “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem was his approach to death. It made no sense! What I didn’t know was that “Hosanna,” which the crowds shouted, means “Save now!”. It was needed in that time of political oppression. How many times in our lives have we had that panicked cry to God, “Help me! Now!”?
The crowd was crying for help at the same time that God was already offering redemption. This was not the help they had in mind, but was something all encompassing. God’s help is reaching out arms of love and forgiveness to everyone. Through Jesus God reached out to those who were considered of no importance, to those who were sinners, to those treated unjustly. To each of us. Through Jesus, even when things look the darkest, we can know that God will have the last word. Life, hope, love, peace, forgiveness will prevail. That’s a reason for a parade!
Affirmation of Faith: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace on God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM.
Prayers of Joys and Concerns concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Joys – Edith Brown reports the good news that Cecil’s doctor said he was now cancer free. -
Time at home grow in our relationships with our family and God.
- Time to reflect and grow in our understanding of ourselves.
- More time at home to read the BOOK (from Layla)
- Thanks and prayers for public workers, medical and health workers (from Patricia)
- Ruth’s niece Lori is doing well and just got married. -
Layla’s Birthday was April 2. Wish her a happy Birthday.
Concerns: - Edna Martinez had surgery on her broken leg.
- That our time at home will be a time of growing in our relationships with our families and God.
- Gloria’s and Jesse’s daughter is a nurse having to work while pregnant; concerns for her health.
- Concern for small business and employees; for new graduates. (Leslee).
- Incarcerated people; immigrants in detention centers & refugee camps who can’t self-isolate;
refugees and immigrants in our country who are being targeted (Patricia)
- World healing of this virus! (requested by Layla and Gilbert)
- Prayer for those in research seeking cures for the virus. (Frances)
- Those dealing with domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse during this time.
- The people not prepared for this pandemic who are living on the margins ( from Larry)
– David Bass in his recovery from surgery and his treatments in Houston. – Concerns that we will have enough medical supplies and hospital space for increasing needs.
- For our congregations, that we will continue to find ways to reach out to each other.
Please email, call or write your joys and concern to Ann See ”Announcements” for contact information.
Concluding In Peace
Sing or Speak: GtG #288
Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall a-fresh on me.
Santo Espiritu de Dios, ven sobre mi. Santo Espiritu de Dios, ven sobre mi.
Tomame, cambiame, llename, usame. Santo Espiritu de Dios, vev sobre mi.
Benediction: May the peace of God keep you always.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson, Pastor; annfgj@gmail.com; Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson, Parish Associate; larrycgj@gmail.com. Ann’s cell – (520) 730-8943; Larry’s cell - (520) 730-2932. Ann & Larry’s mailing address: 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite C, #343, Santa Fe, NM 87507
+ BIG NEWS – Smith Memorial and El Buen Pastor will hold a worship service on KDCE 950 AM radio; also 106.3 FM or 100.7 FM. Easter Sunday Morning from 11:00 to 11:25. Watch and participate with us next week. You will receive your home worships so you can follow along. + Regretfully or regular Public Worship is suspended until further notice. Watch for further announcements. It is important to visit our website at:https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
God bless us, one and all!
