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Summer in Truchas Village with the Truchas Peaks in the distance.
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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.
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.