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Summer in Truchas Village with the Truchas Peaks in the distance.
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16th Sunday After Pentecost
Home Worship for September 20, 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: 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
“I’m tired.” “I’m hungry!” As a child I went to Mother with complaints just like that. Although I didn’t ask her to do something about it, I expected her too. That’s the way it was for the Israelites in our Scripture text. Listen to how God heard them when they complained.
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15
Reflection – “God Hears!” – Rev. Ann Graham-Johnson
They are uprooted from all the old ways that were familiar, and are cast into an uncertain future: uncomfortable with a new way life, stressed and not knowing what to do. Doesn’t that describe our times for so many? I talked to my sister-in-law who is living alone (my brother died years ago) in California, near the fires. She is usually an upbeat person, finding humor in life. She said, “Frankly I am scared! I don’t know where I will go if the fires come here.” Her words have stuck with me as I pray for her. I imagine her and so many today in that place of uncertainty and stress. That describes the Israelites as they stressfully struggled with their “new normal,” which didn’t feel normal at all! They felt totally lost. On top of that they had no food to eat: that was the last straw! So they complained against Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron heard their complaint, but most important God heard. This text tells us some important things about God.
First, and foremost, God hears! Hearing is difficult for us. Sometimes it’s easy to block our minds and hearts against things we do not want to hear: opinions, feelings, hurts that we don’t want to deal with, especially if it threatens our way of life. God hears the Israelites, which is amazing, because they weren’t even directing a prayer to God, just complaining. God had also heard their cries in Egypt when they were slaves. God hears our cries and our complaints when we don’t even have enough faith to direct a prayer to God. Second, God listens! God’s hearing leads to listening. God doesn’t just hear the sound of their complaint. God pays close attention to what is being heard, listening and feeling our stress and pain. Sometimes it’s easy to fail to really listen to the speaker, to listen to the meaning and feeling behind the words. We are too busy thinking of what we are going to say when the other person stops talking.
Finally, God acts! To hear and listen involves a response, an action. God acts to resolve the Israelites need for food. By the way, it’s interesting that when God sent down “bread” from heaven, they didn’t know what it was; they called it “manna” which means “what is it?” Do we recognize the help God is sending us? Another thing about the manna in the morning and the quail in the evening: they were only supposed to gather enough for one day. Anathea Portier-Young in Working Preacher observes: “This gift of provision requires human participation in a labor economy of sufficiency and equality rather than accumulation and disparity.” Since Larry and I have moved into an RV as our home, we have experienced how much we have accumulated over the years, things we don’t need, but just have kept. After ten months we are still struggling with what is needed and what is not! At a more serious level our society of which I am a part accumulates while much of the world goes hungry. How do we reverse this?
God hears, God listens, God acts! That’s the good news for all of us! And there’s more good news: God calls us to be a partner in hearing, listening, and acting on behalf of others.
Sing or Speak: Glory to God#471 “O Lord, Hear Hear My Prayer”
O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. Come and listen to me.
The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise; all my hope comes from God.
The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise; God, the well-spring of life.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that you hear us when we cry to you; you hear us, listen and act on our behalf. Show us how to do this for others: give act on behalf of those in 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 87578 or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM 87522
Prayer of Joys and Concerns-
- Thanks for God’s presence in places of need
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
- Thanks for recovery of Lisa, Wayne & Edna
- Thanks for Leslee’s and David’s progress toward recovery and prayers for continued recovery
- For what else are you thankful?
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions
- Prayers for those suffering from the pandemic, fires, storms, floods, prejudice and violence
- prayers for those serving on the front lines of treatment, rescue and other service.
- 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
+ Public worship will begin at El Buen Pastor on Sunday, October the 4th at 10:30 AM. Smith Memorial is invited to join their worship service. We will be obeying safety precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and all the safety measures required for a safe service. Smith Memorial is planning to open in November if all continues to go well.
15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Home Worship for September 13, 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 #686 “God of Our Life”
“God of our life, through all the circling years, we trust in thee. In all the past, through all our hopes and fears,
thy hand we see. With each new day, when morning lifts the veil, we own thy mercies, Lord, which never fail.
God of the coming years, through paths unknown we follow thee. When we are strong, Lord, leave us not alone.
Our refuge be. Be thou for us in life our daily bread, our heart’s true home when all our years have sped.”
Prayer: Thank you, God, for each new day, with its new promises, new blessings, new surprises. Most of all
thank you for your presence every moment of our lives. Open our eyes and ears so we may recognize your
presence with us. Never let us forget “Your Being” in everyone we meet. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Praising God
One: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
All: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all God’s benefits-----who forgets all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast
love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
Reflecting on God’s Word
Children’s Time: Rev. Larry Graham-Johnson
Scripture: Romans 14:10-12;
Sometimes sisters and brothers can really bother us, even make us angry. Moms and dads can do that, too. When we are angry, we sometimes say and do things we ought not to say or do. The Apostle Paul reminds the Christian believers in Rome that we who try to follow Christ Jesus need to treat others the way we like to be treated. We are all God’s children and so we should act as Jesus would have us do: love those close to us; tell them when we are hurt by something that was said or done to us; and most of all pray that we do not hurt others by what we say or do. God will like that very much.
Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
Reflection: “Forgiveness: A Two Edged Sword”
On the face of this scripture reading one would seem to have to agree, for this is what many of us have been taught in Sunday School and Church: “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 5:32). Unfortunately, forgiveness has been encouraged, even expected of Christians when the hurt has not been healed and may even be continued by an unrepentant oppressor. Eli Wiesel, Romanian/American author and lecturer survived with one sister a concentration camp in Nazi German. In an interview with Krista Tippett he spoke of a trip he had made to postwar Germany. “I am asked occasionally, do you forgive? Who am I to forgive? I am not God.” Tippett responded, “If you can’t forgive, what can you do? What is the endeavor, the holy endeavor?” Wiesel replied, “The aim---first of all, to tell the truth, and to sensitize other people not to do the same thing. We are in the Jewish faith . . . we plead with God for forgiveness, and God forgives, I hope. But the thing He does not forgive: the evil I have done to other fellow human beings. Only they can forgive. If I do something bad to you, I cannot ask God to forgive me. You must forgive me.”
Chapter 18 of Matthew is Jesus’ response to a question from his disciples. It’s good reading. In verse 15 he makes this statement concerning a sin against you by another church member (or even someone outside the church). “Go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” He goes on to say if you meet resistance, go again with witnesses trying to establish reconciliation. Notice, forgiveness is not the starting point. Jesus is also talking to men. Women in a domestic violence abusive situation should not follow this procedure. They must seek professional help in removing themselves from the situation, before seeking any kind of reconciliation.
Forgiveness cannot be denial. Not for the person and especially not be the church. Forgiveness cannot be a detour or shortcut. The hurt must be recognized for what it is, wrong! There may be a time of mourning, speaking truth to power, a thirst for righteousness/justice. Forgiveness cannot be a substitute for healing and reconciliation. And it is not quick and easy in most cases.
Bishop Tutu, Anglican archbishop emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, reminds us in a podcast, On Being.org, the fight against apartheid actually began more than 3 centuries ago. The 1990’s was the tipping point when apartheid was overcome and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established. Bishop Tutu stated he was amazed at the healing that took place. People were able to tell their stories, even the most horrible. A boy blinded by police thanked the commission for giving his eyes back, not literally, but figuratively, spiritually. Perpetrators were able to share their stories, apologize for their actions, and receive forgiveness. “We certainly are needing more, the most important being recognition that we are damaged. We are wounded people. We accept it to some extent. . . .we were but wounded healers.”
Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz-Weber writes these words concerning the work of justice and transformation: “Maybe retaliation or holding onto anger about the harm done to me doesn’t actually combat evil. Maybe it feeds it. Because in the end, if we are not careful, we can actually absorb the worst of our enemy, and at some level, start to become them. So what if forgiveness, rather than being a pansy way to say, ‘It’s okay,’ is actually a way of wielding bolt-cutters, and snapping the chain that links us? What if it’s saying, ‘What you did was not okay, I refuse to be connected to it anymore.’? Forgiveness is about being a freedom fighter. And free people are dangerous people.”
We in the church may be too quick to take a literal interpretation of isolated scripture passages. Reading, studying, sharing with one another can help prevent using biblical excerpts which may harm to others. God is love. And we are called to love God and neighbor (literally: “next one”) and ourselves. Go in peace to love. Amen.
Let us confess where we have failed to trust God in all our life.
Loving God, help us to be still in this moment. (silent reflection) Remove hurtful thoughts. Teach us how to love more deeply. Amen.
Responding to God’s Word
Offering: You may send your monetary offering to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Box 340, Truchas, NM 87578 or El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Box 185, Chimayo, NM 87522.
Prayer of Joys and Concerns-
- Thanks for God’s presence in places of need
- Thanks for our congregations and their desire to worship and unite with each other
- Thanks for Lisa’s, Wayne’s, Edna’s and Leslee’s continuing recovery
- Annalisa Miranda”s Birthday, and thanksgiving for her life
- Thanks for Tina Cordova's life especially on Christian Education Sunday!!
- For what else are you thankful?
- Continued prayers for David as he completes treatment and returns from Houston
- Prayers for our nation as we face our divisions
- Prayers for those enslaved by poverty and prejudice
- 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 #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.
En es-ta vi-da fru-tos hay que dar y bue-nas o-bras he-mos de o-fren-dar. Sea ya que demos o que re-ci-ba-mos,
so-mos del Se-nor, so-mos del Se-nor.
Benediction: In these challenging times, Precious Lord, remind us that we do not struggle alone. Thank you for all who have helped us along life’s journey and for those on the front lines battling this crisis. Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus, the gift of the Spirit, the gift of faith. 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 is suspended until further notice because of the coronavirus. For more information
please visit our website is https://www.smithmemorialtruchas.org/
+ Smith Memorial PC Session Meeting Wednesday September 16th @ 7:00 PM. (Go-To-Meeting by phone)
+ 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.