A Reconciling Congregation
224 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 + (607) 257-4329
Virtual Sunday Worship
THE CHAPEL'S MISSION STATEMENT
Embracing God’s will for our community through education, compassion, and justice.
What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
~ Micah 6:8 ~
You are invited to zoom worship on
Sunday, September 20, 2020
09:45 A.M. Eastern Time
(service starts at 10)
Click on the link below or dial or Dial +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
https://zoom.us/j/99305704272
Meeting ID: 993 0570 4272
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adpGxeMuhU
ORDER OF WORSHIP
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rebecca Dolch, Pastor
TIME WITH YOUNG CHRISTIANS
PRELUDE
Maria Rabbia, Music Director
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst . . .
come worship a God who feeds the hungry.
In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed . . .
come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.
In the midst of a world filled with divisions and threats . . .
come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.
In the midst of a world where people are seeking hope and healing . . .
come worship a God who gives life meaning.
Come worship a God whose grace and love know no end.
Adapted from Sacraments and Seasons from Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
HYMN
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
There's a wideness in God's mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in God's justice;
which is more than liberty.
For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple,
we should rest upon God's word;
and our lives would be illumined
by the presence of our Lord.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 20:1-16
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYERS
LORD’S PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC
Kristy Shuck
SERMON
What's wrong with this Parable?
Rebecca Dolch
HYMN
For the Healing of the Nations
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with on accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords;
to a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word,
help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom;
from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from strife and hatred,
all may come and go in peace,
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase,
fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race, or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life's brief span,
may we hallow life's brief span.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
After the service you are welcome to stay on Zoom and visit with other Chapel friends in our breakout rooms.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SERMON SERIES AND BIBLE STUDY STARTING IN OCTOBER
Starting October 11, Rebecca Dolch will begin a sermon series based on the book, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps, by Richard Rohr, a Roman Catholic Bible scholar and spiritual teacher.
Rohr calls addiction "an honest description for what the Bible calls 'sin' and medieval Christians called attachments."
He explains the 12 steps recovery program as parallel to the traditional Christian stages of the Spiritual journey, and spiritual transformation within the context of a loving community.
One definition of addiction: attachment to substances, circumstances, relationships, beliefs/thinking, and cultural practices, etc. that do not serve us. Rohr says: "We are all addicts. Human beings are addictive by nature," and he wrote the book for all people, not just people with substance abuse issues.
Beginning Tuesday October 6, we will also start a Bible study related to the themes and scripture quotes in this book. If you would like to be part of the study, please let Rebecca Dolch or Susan Spear know! The book can be purchased through Amazon, including used copies.
OPEN DOORS ENGLISH
is looking for more community volunteers to participate in our conversation partners program. Open Doors English provides guidelines and other support — no ESL teaching experience required! We're just looking for people who would like to spend a small amount of time each week getting to know an adult English-language learner and provide an opportunity for them to practice their English.
To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Sara Schaffzin at ss86@cornell.edu.
PLEDGES
Thanks to all of you for sending in your tithes and offerings to Forest Home Chapel, 224 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. It makes a big difference!
We are working towards putting a link on our website for making donations online, and are working with Tompkins Trust Company (where we have our accounts) to create automatic transfers for people who would like to donate without having to write a check. The world keeps changing!
FOOD MINISTRIES
We are also continuing to support Kitchen Cupboard and Foodnet Meals on Wheels, so if you would like to designate offerings for these important local food ministries, please include that information on the memo line of a separate check.
