Oceanview UMC | May 30 2021

Home Worship for

Sunday, May 30 2021

Memorial Day Sunday

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is a day on the civil calendar for remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in battle. The day is also known as Decoration Day for the custom of placing flags at the graves of the patriotic dead. Without legitimating war, there is resonance with the gospel reading: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

The day can be an occasion of healing hurt and connecting with the rawness of loss. Participation in public observance offers Christians the opportunity to get outside our churchy bubble and be present with, and to, others as they struggle to come to terms with war, loss, devastation, and what it all means.

We are glad you are worshipping with us. May you feel close to God who is near even if we are far apart. May God Bless you and Keep you.

Prelude: All Hail the Lord's Anointed

Call to Worship

(inspired by John 3:14-21 and Ephesians 2:1-10)

Leader; God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

People: Let those who know they are redeemed celebrate it! Those who have been reclaimed from deep trouble!

Leader: Though we were as good as dead, God made us alive with the grace of Christ through whom we are rescued and healed.

People: O give thanks to God for such unswerving love, for such wonderful deeds for the children of earth.

Written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2015/03/call-to-worship-god-so-loved-world.html.

Hymn: Abide with Me UMH #700

Verse 1

Abide with me fast falls the eventide,

The darkness deepens Lord with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless O abide with me

Verse 2

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day

Earth's joys grow dim its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O Thou who changest not abide with me

Verse 3

I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r

Who like Thyself my Guide and Stay can be

Through cloud and sunshine O abide with me

Verse 4

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

Where is death's sting where grave thy victory

I triumph still if Thou abide with me

Verse 5

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heav'n's morning breaks

And earth's vain shadows flee

In life in death O Lord abide with me

Our Prayers: Born Yet Again

Why do we settle, O God, for only being born once, or even twice,

as if the world never changes,

as if everything is just fine the way it is

and we have no need for new life,

new encounters with you,

new promptings of your Spirit,

and new awakenings in our souls?

Here now our petitions, thanksgivings and praises we bring before you.... [pause to pray your joys and concerns]

We praise you for the shocking miraculous truth, God,

that we can always be - that we need to always be

born again;

that daily you welcome us into a surprising new life,

the wonderful, creative, unpredictable world of your Spirit;

and that all we can do is allow ourselves to be pushed -

birthed, by your grace,

into new experiences of your reign.

Here we are, O God;

Let us be, once more,

in this moment, in this place,

Born yet again.

Amen.

(inspired by John 3:1-17) — written by John van de Laar, and posted on his Sacredise.com website.

A Monologue for John 3:1-17

Stillness.

And yet I hear the crickets singing incessantly among the reeds. It gives me comfort to know that my existence is not alone, siloed. When I think all has finally stopped for the day--I sense him, feel him, before I see him. A shadowy figure, moving slowly when concealed and swiftly when in the open. As the moon hits the figure--I can tell it is a man...and not just any man, a leader.

A Pharisee. What’s he doing out this late at night? Moving sketchily in the darkness. Where is he going?

It’s not like I can betray myself and reveal him for all to see. No,--I, the night, am his accomplice. His sudden movements stop at a door that has caused a lot of commotion in recent days.

He knocks--it’s done quietly, but echoes so loudly….....

Lindsey Baynham, Pentecost Liturgical Resources from Africana Writers 1, edited by Safiya Fosua, 2020.

Scripture: John 3:1-17 (NIV)

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said,

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Eternal Life

A Sermon for Memorial Day Weekend

Pastor Emily Denmark McGee

Lectionary Series

Jesus' shadowy encounter with Nicodemus leads to the most familiar passage of scripture of all time (John 3:16). In the context, though, of the conversation Jesus tells and aging man that he "shall not perish but have eternal life"

Memorial Day: Remembrance

Oceanview Worship: Goodness of God

Verse 1

I love You Lord, Oh Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up, Until I lay my head

I will sing of the goodness of God

Chorus

All my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God

Verse 2

I love Your voice, You have led me through the fire

In darkest night, You are close like no other

I've known You as a father, I've known You as a friend

I have lived in the goodness of God

Bridge

Your goodness is running after, It’s running after me

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now

I give You everything

Your goodness is running after, It's running after me

CCLI Song # 7117726. Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson. © 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon, SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia, Fellow Ships Music, So Essential Tunes, Bethel Music Publishing. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707

Blessing: Be God's Prophetic Voice

A Sending Inspired by Psalm 29

(Curry F. Butler)

Now let us go out into the world to be the prophetic voice that God has called us to be, allowing our lives to be the very mouthpieces of God, evangelizing the sinner, equipping the saint, and being the change that we want to see in an ever-changing world.

Revised Common Lectionary

Further Readings for the Trinity Sunday May 30, 2021, First Sunday after Pentecost from The Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.

1st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Psalm: Psalm 29

2nd Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Gospel: John 3:1-17

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/