Bradenton-Sarasota Congregation Online Worship
October 25, 2020
Call to our worship for this day:
Hear, O my people, of the church, I am Jesus Christ of whom you have sung and testified and in whose name you pray. I am the spirit of love and peace which is in the world and yet not known by the world.
I have heard your prayers which have been raised to me without ceasing, and I have sent my healing ministry as a dove to be in your midst. Therefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice in the promises which have been given for your assurance. Have I not said it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom? (Doctrine and Covenants 157:11-12)
Opening song and prayer: Everyday God by Bernadette Farrell
Disciples’ Generous Response
Listen to the testimonies of those responding generously. Follow your soul’s yearning to come home to God’s grace and generosity. Let gratitude show you the way. — Doctrine and Covenants 165:2b
One of God’s richest gifts is the gift of loving relationships. In Community of Christ we recognize God’s call to be in loving community with one another. Our church community is a place that encourages us to share our joys and concerns with one another. We are called to hold one another in loving prayer and to be a place of healing.
While we might not be always perfect, we are called to be a part of and do our part in making our church family a loving community.
Whole-life stewardship is an individual and collective process. Family, friends, and other disciples guide us as we grow. As part of a faith community, we strengthen it when we recognize that God and others can help us become what God created us to be. Together we have the capacity to be a blessing to the world as we generously receive and share all facets of our lives.
Let us offer our gratitude to God as we send our offerings into Dick Kramer. For those that give through e-Tithing, thank you for your ongoing, sustained support of mission.
Almighty God our Father
we belong to you.
All that we have comes from youOur family and friends
Our health
Our possessions and energy
Our leisure and abilities.Help us to share
in the blessings of giving
as well as the
happiness of receivingWe ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen
Song of Love: The Gospel in One Word Is Love
Love, love, love, love. The gospel in one word is love
Love your neighbor as Christ loves you Love, love, love
Morning Message by Priest Jackie Prevey
The Pharisees asked Master Jesus, “Of which is the Law’s greatest commandment?” Jesus answered,’ Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first commandment. And there is a second like it: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as they self.’ The whole of the Law and the Prophets depends on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40)
Everywhere around us is God in action, for God is in everyone and everything we see. Loving your neighbor (who is every person) as yourself is treating them as if they are all your dearest friends. It means listening lovingly, being lovingly helpful, and being lovingly patient with all of whom you come in contact with. It means loving the Love that is within them, regardless of how hidden it may seem to be. It is lovingly sitting with another, not for our ego, but for that person. It is the mindful action of blessing each individual on their individually chosen life journey, regardless of whether we agree with it or not.
God is at work in each individual with or without their knowledge. We are loving and honoring God when we free another to take a different path, then what we would prefer.
When we treat one another everywhere with kindness and respect, knowing that God is in everyone, we are loving the Lord our God with all of our heart mind and soul, and we are loving our neighbor as our self at the same time.
Peace to All of You, Jackie Prevey
Statement of Peace: O God of every nation, of every race and land. Redeem the whole creation with your almighty hand. Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled, in love and mercy guide us and heal our strife torn world.
As you participate in Jackie’s Prayer for Peace, you can play this song in the background: (But WARNING: It’s fun to watch as well)
Prayer for Peace:
Feel what it feels like to be loved and to love another, whether it a person, an animal, or a plant. Now take that feeling and place it from your heart into your hand, allowing your hand to be the sender of Love.
Feel what it feels like to feel Joy, Forgiveness, and to have inner Peace. Do the same for these feelings and place them into your hands.
Now lift your hands to the North sending this Love, Joy, Forgiveness, and Peace to all that are living North of you across the states, the mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, through Canada, and all the way to the Arctic Circle and the North Pole for 1 to 2 minutes or what feels comfortable.
Now turn to the East and send your Love, Joy, Forgiveness, and Peace to all that are east of you across the Atlantic, to the islands, to all of the Nations of Europe, Great Britain, and the Scandinavian Countries that are North of Britain, to the Mediterranean countries, and the African Continent for 1 to 2 minutes or what feels comfortable.
Now turn to the South and send your Love, Joy, Forgiveness, and Peace to all that are south, to all of the islands, South America, Antarctica, and to those who are in Central America.
Lastly, turn to the West and send your Love, Joy, Forgiveness, and Peace to all that are west of you and North West of you..across to Mexico, and all of the western, Midwestern states, across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, Japan, China, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the Polynesian Islands.
Sending Forth:
As we leave the sacred space of this time together, take heart in knowing we are loved by God. May God’s love serve as an inspiration and reminder of our calling to love and serve all in the name of the One we love above all, Jesus Christ.
Postlude: Only A Holy God from Resurrecting God
This service was prepared by Jackie Prevey and Nanette Dizney.