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Worship at Home for Sunday March 22, 2020You are encouraged to use this resource in our time apart as a way to continue your worship and sense of being with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
You can use the text here or you can open the text as a PDF file that you can use, save and/or print.
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Although the Coronavirus has separated us into individual homes, we can still worship our God as Family and Friends in Christ. I pray that you find this resource useful on Sunday morning.
In God’s Abiding Love,
Pastor Jeniffer Tillman
In God’s Abiding Love,
Pastor Jeniffer Tillman
Worship in Your Home
March 22, 2020
A Poem, a Quote, a Prayer, some Pictures, and something to Ponder
Readings and Psalm
1 Samuel 16:1-13
David is chosen and anointed
Psalm 23
You anoint my head with oil. (Ps. 23:5)
Ephesians 5:8-14
Awake from sleep, live as children of light
John 9:1-41
Baptismal image: the man born blind
A POEM
Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run. See how they run.
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three blind mice?
Circa, 1609
March 22, 2020
A Poem, a Quote, a Prayer, some Pictures, and something to Ponder
Readings and Psalm
1 Samuel 16:1-13
David is chosen and anointed
Psalm 23
You anoint my head with oil. (Ps. 23:5)
Ephesians 5:8-14
Awake from sleep, live as children of light
John 9:1-41
Baptismal image: the man born blind
A POEM
Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run. See how they run.
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three blind mice?
Circa, 1609
Three Blind Mice was first written in 1609. It cleverly crafts the tale of three Protestant loyalists who were accused of plotting against Queen Mary I, AKA Mary Tudor, AKA Bloody Mary. The farmer’s wife in the nursery rhyme refers to Queen Mary, who, with her husband, King Philip of Spain, owned many large estates. Mary Tudor, a stanch Catholic, sought to undo the error of her Father’s Protestant leanings by severely punishing the English and Irish for not embracing Catholicism as the One True Religion. The three Protestant Loyalists were burned at the stake for their plot and refusal to give up their faith.
A PRAYER
One thing I see in your light:
this will, which you have given us as free,
seems to receive its strength
from the light of faith,
for by this light
we come in your light to know your eternal will,
and we see that your will wants nothing else
but that we be made holy.
You, light, are also the fuel for the fire,
since it is you
that makes the fire grow in the soul.
--Catherine of Siena, The Prayers of Catherine of Siena
One thing I see in your light:
this will, which you have given us as free,
seems to receive its strength
from the light of faith,
for by this light
we come in your light to know your eternal will,
and we see that your will wants nothing else
but that we be made holy.
You, light, are also the fuel for the fire,
since it is you
that makes the fire grow in the soul.
--Catherine of Siena, The Prayers of Catherine of Siena
A Quote
“Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.”
~Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
I’ve been re-reading Don Quixote now that I have no where to go, which has given me a greater appreciation for Cervantes’ wisdom. Hardcore cynics tend to dismiss Don Alonso Quijano as a crazy old man too lost to the world of his imagination. According to George Carlin, if you scratch at the surface of any cynic, you’ll find a wounded idealist underneath. I think even the most practical of individuals would crack under pressure without some imagination to guide his or her isolation. I’m curious to know what others who have fallen in non-essential work force category are doing to occupy the time. Are you battling monsters or chasing after windmills?
~Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
I’ve been re-reading Don Quixote now that I have no where to go, which has given me a greater appreciation for Cervantes’ wisdom. Hardcore cynics tend to dismiss Don Alonso Quijano as a crazy old man too lost to the world of his imagination. According to George Carlin, if you scratch at the surface of any cynic, you’ll find a wounded idealist underneath. I think even the most practical of individuals would crack under pressure without some imagination to guide his or her isolation. I’m curious to know what others who have fallen in non-essential work force category are doing to occupy the time. Are you battling monsters or chasing after windmills?
Something to Ponder
These past few weeks have been surreal and frightening, right? Family, Friends, and Neighbors are social distancing and self-quarantining due to the COVID-19 Virus. Doctors and scientists are working diligently to find a cure that may not come tomorrow. Our Nation’s leaders attempt to offer answers and reassurance that this too will pass. In times like these, we all want to know a) what’s going on, b) what’s going to happen, and c) who is to blame?
While I was grocery shopping, I was taking a little extra time choosing between products because the aisle I was in so happened to be empty. I looked to the side only to discover this woman lingering in the aisle opening. She used her coat to her mouth and nose, looking like Bela Lugosi in a Dracula movie, while eyeballing me with full suspicion. Naturally, I was offended at the implication and proceeded to cough, loudly and with exaggeration, into my elbow. She doubled back, crashing into a fellow shopper’s cart, before running off as fast as she could before she could see my “coughs” transform into laughter. Now, I know this was the wrong thing to do, even though I thought it was pretty funny.
In truth, people are freaking out left and right because of COVID-19, no pun intended. The rise of the Coronavirus has been met with increasing hostility towards Asians, especially those thought to be Chinese. I am reminded that fear can dangerously transform into hatred where compassion and understanding should prevail. Perhaps the hardest thing that we Christians can do is lead with kindness as opposed to hatred when fear threatens our peace. It has been the practice and mentality of many Christian Churches to practice avoidance of that which has been deemed “bad”, “sinful”, and “Unchristian” in order to be seen as “good”, “wholesome”, and “pure”. There is a fine balance between faithful living and condemnation when it comes to discipleship in Christ. It is natural to trust the things that we know rather than taking a closer look into the unknown.
Saul was initially chosen as King of Israel because he was tall and handsome. However, he was not a good King, which prompted Samuel to seek out another in his place. He meets with Jesse, who had many Sons, the tallest and eldest of which Samuel believed would make suitable replacements for Saul. Instead, God goes against typecast and chooses short and ruddy David to be anointed as Israel’s King. Now, David was not a perfect man. He once slept with his loyal soldier’s wife after seeing her bathing naked from her window. He also pulled that ever so helpful “boys will be boys” excuse when one of his sons raped his own half-sister then kicked her to the curb because he felt “bad” about himself. Not cool! Still, David was a good king because he always returned to God regardless of his failures. He may have been blinded by power, but he was faithful to God in the end, which is why his Family line is thus crucial in Jesus’ coming into the world fully divine and fully human.
Jesus himself was not what the Jews thought a King should be if we’re being honest. He told them to love their enemies as well as neighbors and to turn the other cheek when struck. He was also not interested in earthly power, which he rejected in the wilderness, so it was understandable for his time why people questioned who he was and why he believed himself to be the Son of God. Even when he unbinds a man who had been blind since his birth, he is reviled by the authorities. I do find it interesting that in order to heal the man who is blind, Jesus uses mud and saliva, before sending him off to the pool of Siloam to bath. Our own baptism resurrects us to new life with Christ when we were once dead to our Old Adam. Perhaps the way to get clean is to acknowledge the dirt, not as evil, but as something that we need to take notice of in order to bring about healing. In other words, it is the avoidance of thing that cause harm, and therefore bring about blindness to all who refuse to look. Perhaps, the greatest sin we can commit against God is to view each other as either good because of “X” and bad because of “Y”. We are all created in God’s divine image, but we allow something as powerless as fear blind us from this powerful truth. We may see things and people for what they are, but God sees all thing for what they ought to be.
My prayer for us all is that we look at each other with kindness and compassion, especially now that the world has become so blinded with fear and confusion. Jesus looks at each and every one of us through the lenses of compassion and kindness, regardless of who we are, where we come from, what we know, and where we might be going. Let Christ’s vision be our guide.
While I was grocery shopping, I was taking a little extra time choosing between products because the aisle I was in so happened to be empty. I looked to the side only to discover this woman lingering in the aisle opening. She used her coat to her mouth and nose, looking like Bela Lugosi in a Dracula movie, while eyeballing me with full suspicion. Naturally, I was offended at the implication and proceeded to cough, loudly and with exaggeration, into my elbow. She doubled back, crashing into a fellow shopper’s cart, before running off as fast as she could before she could see my “coughs” transform into laughter. Now, I know this was the wrong thing to do, even though I thought it was pretty funny.
In truth, people are freaking out left and right because of COVID-19, no pun intended. The rise of the Coronavirus has been met with increasing hostility towards Asians, especially those thought to be Chinese. I am reminded that fear can dangerously transform into hatred where compassion and understanding should prevail. Perhaps the hardest thing that we Christians can do is lead with kindness as opposed to hatred when fear threatens our peace. It has been the practice and mentality of many Christian Churches to practice avoidance of that which has been deemed “bad”, “sinful”, and “Unchristian” in order to be seen as “good”, “wholesome”, and “pure”. There is a fine balance between faithful living and condemnation when it comes to discipleship in Christ. It is natural to trust the things that we know rather than taking a closer look into the unknown.
Saul was initially chosen as King of Israel because he was tall and handsome. However, he was not a good King, which prompted Samuel to seek out another in his place. He meets with Jesse, who had many Sons, the tallest and eldest of which Samuel believed would make suitable replacements for Saul. Instead, God goes against typecast and chooses short and ruddy David to be anointed as Israel’s King. Now, David was not a perfect man. He once slept with his loyal soldier’s wife after seeing her bathing naked from her window. He also pulled that ever so helpful “boys will be boys” excuse when one of his sons raped his own half-sister then kicked her to the curb because he felt “bad” about himself. Not cool! Still, David was a good king because he always returned to God regardless of his failures. He may have been blinded by power, but he was faithful to God in the end, which is why his Family line is thus crucial in Jesus’ coming into the world fully divine and fully human.
Jesus himself was not what the Jews thought a King should be if we’re being honest. He told them to love their enemies as well as neighbors and to turn the other cheek when struck. He was also not interested in earthly power, which he rejected in the wilderness, so it was understandable for his time why people questioned who he was and why he believed himself to be the Son of God. Even when he unbinds a man who had been blind since his birth, he is reviled by the authorities. I do find it interesting that in order to heal the man who is blind, Jesus uses mud and saliva, before sending him off to the pool of Siloam to bath. Our own baptism resurrects us to new life with Christ when we were once dead to our Old Adam. Perhaps the way to get clean is to acknowledge the dirt, not as evil, but as something that we need to take notice of in order to bring about healing. In other words, it is the avoidance of thing that cause harm, and therefore bring about blindness to all who refuse to look. Perhaps, the greatest sin we can commit against God is to view each other as either good because of “X” and bad because of “Y”. We are all created in God’s divine image, but we allow something as powerless as fear blind us from this powerful truth. We may see things and people for what they are, but God sees all thing for what they ought to be.
My prayer for us all is that we look at each other with kindness and compassion, especially now that the world has become so blinded with fear and confusion. Jesus looks at each and every one of us through the lenses of compassion and kindness, regardless of who we are, where we come from, what we know, and where we might be going. Let Christ’s vision be our guide.
In the meantime, please keep the following people in your prayers:
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Our Members
Opal Baker Libby Boyer Luise Buergert Eddie Freeman Samantha Good |
Teresa Grantham Betty Hauch Bonita Neveau Michael Schlemmer Janice Shupp |
George Thomas Jewel Thomas Sue and George Turner John Wicker Judy Wright |
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Our Families and Friends
Sandy Blondell (friend of Nancy Wagner) David Brown (brother of Ellen Quirk) the Bruno family Jamie Callis Gerry Collison (friend of Nancy Wagner) Marilyn Carter Cromartie (friend of Nancy Wagner) James Cummings, Sr. (brother-in-law of Reida Avery) Karren Elmore David Fink (brother of Janice Shupp) Peggy and Kevin Gallager Michael and Faye Grimes Rich and Anna Halpert (brother-in-law and niece of Babs Zuhowski) Adam Hewko (nephew of the Hansons) Ruth Higgins (mother of Preston) Diane Hill (friend of Nancy Wagner) Rosie Hill (friend of Jenny Hawkins) Katherine Hodges (daughter of Linda Hodges) Spencer Hodges (husband of Linda Hodges) Heather Hoerle (sister of Babs Zuhowski) Jim and Barbara Hoerle (parents of Babs Zuhowski) Elijah Huggins (friend of Chris Shupp) Nicole Keating (friend of Daniel Gomez) Our Sponsored Children in Guatemala Please keep Amayda Ester Raymundo Juarez and Hugolino Choc in your prayers – these are the 2 children that we are sponsoring from Guatemala. In God’s Abiding Love, Pastor Jeniffer Tillman, MD Stay tuned for our Live Streaming Worship Services in the future! |
Richard Lowe (friend of the Averys) Peter Masiak (grandson of Heidi Henderson) Lotte Mathias Sylvia Midgette (grandmother of Krystle McMahan) Jamie Mullaney (Pete and Betsy Liljeberg’s foster daughter) Rich Nicholson (friend of Nancy Wagner) Michael Scholz (nephew of Ray Scholz) Kathy Shackleford (friend of Jim Reinke) Karen Shupp Wayne Sorrell (friend of the Granthams) Genie Stickleman (friend of Chris Avery) Danny Sydow (friend of Chris Avery) Patricia Truchlinski Dave Wagner (husband of Nancy) Chuck Webb (Tina Britt’s father) Makenzie Webb (niece of Tina Britt) Kitty Witty Cory Woodlief Greg Yvonovich (friend of Margaret and Ben Grimes) Ann Zanelli (Jackie Comiskey’s mother) Derek Zwiers (friend of CK Ambrose) Zakaria Girgis in Tanzania. |
Recent News
Your Church Council will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in our community. We will be in touch with members in the coming week to let you know the latest status for resuming activities at Apostles. If you have any questions, concerns or needs please reach out to Pastor Jeniffer or any member of Council.
God's Peace to All
God's Peace to All