Virtual Worship – May 17, 2020

The Service For The Lord’s Day THE 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 17, 2020 WHENEVER “How do we, as good religious folks, sometimes act as a mob?”

… Andre E. Johnson

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship

WELCOME WORDS FROM BOTH MULBERRY AND CHRIST CHURCHES (Rev. Sellers) PRELUDE VIDEO “Still, My Soul Be Still” (Stonebriar Church Choir) PRELUDE (Brandon Cook)

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 31) Lord God, you are indeed our rock and our fortress; for your name’s sake lead us and guide us.

Take us out of the net that is hidden for us, for you are our refuge. Into your hands we commit our spirits; you have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God. Be gracious to us, for we are in distress. Those who see us in the street keep at least six feet away from us and we feel like broken vessels.

But we trust in you, O Lord. We gather now to say again that You are our God. Our times are in your hands, O God. Let your face shine upon us as you accept our worship and save us in your steadfast love.

We call upon you as we offer our worship and praise. Amen.

CHIMES OF THE HOLY TRINITY

* HYMN # 145 “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” (at the end)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison prayer) God, you call us your chosen people, but sometimes we think of ourselves as nobodies. You have called us out of darkness into the light, but too often we hide from brightness and remain in the dark. You call us to love our neighbors and bear witness to you, but too often we respond with hate toward others and show ourselves a part of the mob. Forgive us for failing to accept your love and call, and help us to be your people and do your will. As those grateful for your mercy, may we proclaim your mighty acts in both our words and our deeds. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE # 572 “Kyrie” (As sung each week at Christ) Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* RESPONSE “Gloria Patri”

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(If you are worshiping with family this morning, share the peace of Christ with them; If this reminds you of someone you might need to reach out to, make a note to send them an email or text and share Christ’s peace that way.)

Proclaiming the Word PRAYER OF THE DAY (Deborah Ray, Liturgist)

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 43: 1 – 7 (last page)

VIDEO ANTHEM “Fear Not, For I Have Redeemed You” (Esther Mui)

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 7: 54 – 8: 1 (last page)

SERMON “Quarantine Fatigue; A Small Step From Joining the Mob” (Rev. Sellers)

Responding to the Word

* HYMN “When We Face an Unknown Future” (Beach Spring Tune)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From the Nicene Creed ) We believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. Amen.

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD As you listen to Brandon’s offertory this morning, please take a moment or two to be intentional in your support of our churches. However you do it, remember that this is more than supporting staff or paying bills; this is accepting the opportunity of being a part of what God is doing in our world.

OFFERTORY (Brandon Cook)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. * PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Carrying the Word Into the World

* HYMN “Eternal Lord, Who Calmed the Waves” (Navy Hymn Tune) * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE * VIDEO POSTLUDE “Nearer My God to Thee” (BYU Men’s Chorus)

(*Those able are invited to stand.)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

MULBERRY STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Christ Staff Contact Information

Pastor: Rev. Rodger Sellers rpsellers@gmail.com 704-796-3117

Admin: Tina Emmons tinaemmons@ymail.com

Music Dir: Brandon Cook kbrandco@aol.com 704-941-9400

The Stoning of Stephen (Lorenzo Lotto, c. 1513 - 16)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE STONING OF STEPHEN IN OUR OWN WORLD “When he stood by, did nothing but watch the coats of the others, Saul was giving validity to what the mob was doing. And we can – we certainly should – see ourselves in him. Even when we didn’t throw the stones, we may have known what was happening and known that it was wrong. We stood and watched and held the coats. (And every single one of us has been guilty of this EXACT thing at one time or another.)

Life is full of decisions big and small, and we can’t avoid making them. The decision to stand and do nothing but watch and hold coats is itself a decision. When we sit on the fence, walk the tightrope, try to play the middle, or hide behind not making a decision, we make a decision to watch and to hold coats.

The story of Stephen shows us that many times the mob and the coat watchers are us. It teaches that we good church folks are the ones who stand in need of forgiveness and mercy. IT also demonstrates something else we don’t talk about enough in our churches; sometimes the mob wins, at least for the moment.

I can’t help but wonder if Stephen – or Ell Persons when he was lynched in Memphis on May 22, 1917 when 5,000 people, including a minister who declined to pray for him watched – silently recited Psalm 31, a psalm asking for deliverance from one’s enemies: “Rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.” But when deliverance does not come on this side of eternity, the good news is that we can commit our spirit into the hands of the one who has already prepared a place for us – the one who stands with us in the stoning pits of life, the one ready to redeem and forgive us if we are guilty of throwing stones and watching coats.”

…Rev. Dr. Andre E. Johnson SERVICE NOTES: NEW PRESBYTERIAN HYMNS:

Today we sing two new hymns set to familiar tunes. They have both been written by Presbyterian pastors and hymn writers as gifts to the church during the present COVID-19 crisis. “When we Face an Uncertain Future” was written by the well-known hymn writer Carolyn Gillette. Carolyn (who happens to be married to a classmate of RPS’s from Princeton) has written many hymns in both PC(USA) hymnals over the past 25 years. She and her husband Bruce serve as pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Owego, NY.

Carolyn Gillette

Professor Andre E. Johnson

“Eternal Lord Who Calmed the Waves” was written by minister and poet Scott L. Barton of Amherst, MA. Scott is a published author who has written many poems and songs to lectionary Scripture passages. This hymn, to the tune of “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (The Navy Hymn) was also written specifically for the church in the current crisis we face. Both of these have been shared as “gifts” to the entire Presbyterian Church as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Video Prelude, “Still, Be Still My Soul” This video prelude is from a concert at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX. Both the choir and the orchestra at Stonebriar are noted for their first class music as well as the ministry their music provides to the larger community this church, founded by Chuck Swindoll, has in the Frisco, Texas area.

Video Anthem, “Fear Not, For I Have Redeemed You”

This morning’s video anthem was written and sung by the Malaysian pianist and songwriter, Esther Mui. She has written more than 70 songs over a 23 year period while serving as music director at Sungei-Wei Subang Methodist Church in Selangor, Malaysia.

Video Postlude, “Nearer My God to Thee”

This morning’s video postlude is from the men’s chorus at Brigham Young University, known as “BYU Vocal Point.” These young men are the outgrowth of a 25 year legacy from the group formed in 1991 by two students at BYU, Dave Boyce and Bob Ahlander. Like the woman’s group “Noteworthy,” this a cappella group is known all over the U.S. for their distinctive sound and tremendous musical talent.

If the story of Stephen's martyrdom were a compass needle, it would point straight as an arrow back to Luke and its stories of Jesus. The vision that Stephen sees while filled with the Holy Spirit is reflected already in Luke 9:32 and Luke 22:69. The rush to stone Stephen echoes the scene in Luke 4:28-29 when a crowd of enraged members of the Nazareth synagogue drag Jesus to the outskirts of town and attempt to push him off a cliff after hearing his teaching. Even Stephen's last words echo Jesus' words from the cross. Both men commend their souls to God and pray for pardon for those responsible for their martyrdom.

Scott L. Barton

Eternal Lord, Who Calmed the Waves Scott L. Barton, 2020 John Bacchus Dykes, 1861

Eternal Lord, who calmed the waves, We look to you this day to save; Across the world, we live in fear and yearn for when we might be clear, Of danger none with eyes can see, that now has brought us to our knees.

To Lazarus, “Come out!” you called, to those who cried, you’d not withhold. A word to banish evil’s power – so thus we cry to you this hour. To heal a world so ill at ease, from what has brought us to our knees.

O Lord, who lives to break down walls, by meeting not, we’re all appalled, And yearn for when, no longer bound, our friends and neighbors we’ll surround. With handshakes, hugs, again at ease, when you will strengthen feeble knees.

O Trinity of love and power, all healers guard in danger’s hour; Protect them as they treat and care, for all your people, here and there, Thus praises e’er will rise to thee, from all who pray on bended knee.

Isaiah 43:1 – 7: 1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not

overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.

5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;

6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth –

7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Acts 7: 54 – 8: 1: Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died. Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of their killing him.

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – May 17th, 2020 (Updated as of Friday, May 15th)

Pray for those who are experiencing and suffering from what is being called “Quarantine Fatigue” as stay-at-home precautions continue longer than was initially expected.

Continue to pray for everyone all over the world suffering from COVID-19. For the safety of all who continue to work in jobs that put them at risk. For those who are making bad decisions and ignoring safety measures. Pray for our state leaders as they make decisions about reopening areas of our

lives and society. Pray for wisdom and courage that Governor Cooper and his staff continue to monitor the situation.

Pray for your own doctors and their staffs as they put themselves at risk to help you stay healthy. Pray for the doctors (like Aram Alexanian) who have lost patients to this virus.

Pray that the families who have lost loved ones (like Sylvester Barbee) know the peace and comfort of God.

That all people who have contracted COVID-19 recover fully and quickly. Pray for those who, for whatever reasons, use this crisis to act out in outrageous,

dangerous and immature ways. Pray that adults who bring firearms and weapons to government centers gain some understanding of how immature and uncivil their actions are. Pray that they realize claiming faith in Christ is hollow when their actions speak in such contrary ways.

Pray that deniers, price-gougers, and others taking advantage of the current situation realize that their unwise choices and assumptions put not only themselves at risk but everyone they come into contact with.

Pray for our Session members, both at Christ and Mulberry, as they discuss and plan for the “reopening” of both our churches.

Pray for a 4-year-old little girl named Sofie (A friend of Judy Seller’s brother-in-law): She has been in the hospital in Bonn, Germany since April 1st and had 3 surgeries for a spinal problem.

Pray for those out of work and struggling to make ends meet financially. Pray for Audi Green, who has a badly sprained ankle.

Continue praying for those in assisted living or nursing homes who can’t have visitors, like Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Louise Carter, Lorraine Smith, Lorenzo Conyers.

Pray for Keith Bigham (Deborah Ray’s husband) with some current health concerns. Bill Thomason (MPC member): Pray for his back (he had a bone scan this past Friday)

and for his cornea specialist appt. on May 14th. Keep Betty in your prayers also. Pray for several couples who have had to indefinitely postpone weddings originally

scheduled for this coming week. Pray for Derek Kildow (Phil Egel’s grand-nephew): Stranded in Saudi Arabia (Air Force) All graduating students who will miss their graduation ceremonies. Susan Kinley (Linda Sadler’s friend): Under hospice care. All the families now relying upon CMS meal delivery or pickup for their children. For all school age children who are having to finish the year learning from home.

Pray for: All the Churches in our Presbytery as they seek ways to faithfully respond to

the current situation just as we are. Pray for our Presbytery staff as they seek to lead and serve all of us through this ever changing situation.

The SW Charlotte SDA Church and their ministry and partnership with

Mulberry. Pray for them as the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting their congregation as much as it is all others.

The students and staff of the Lorien Academy of the Arts, as they decide if

having their summer camp program at Christ is possible.

The students and staff of the Creative Player Foundation as they work to plan the resumption of their program and negotiate a new contract with Christ.

Happy Birthdays to: Maggie Thrower, Thursday, May 14th Keiwan Evans, Friday, May 15th Doris Woody, Tuesday, May 19th Veta Pyles, Tuesday, May 19th Dale Phillips, Saturday, May 30th

Announcements and Notes MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE TO VETERANS:

Next Sunday’s virtual worship will include a tribute to all our veterans from both churches who have died. If you have a family member who served in the military that you would like to have listed during the tribute, please email their name, branch of service, and when they served to Rodger – rpsellers@gmail.com. We hope to not “miss” anyone but need your help with this!

FREE FIREWOOD AT MULBERRY: There is free oak firewood for the taking over at Mulberry on the front lawn. A dead tree was cut down last week and the wood is available for anyone who would like to have some and has a way to load it.

WEEKLY “ZOOM IN” CATCH UP: The Wednesday “Zoom Ins” continue 6 PM every week No agenda other than checking in with one another and making sure everyone is safe, well, and coping with our current separation. If you need assistance setting up Zoom, send us an email. (You can call into a Zoom meeting, but be aware that it is a toll – NOT free – call.)

MPC SPRING SPRUCE UP ON HOLD: Plans for the sprucing at MPC up are postponed indefinitely due to a lack of volunteers.

WEBSITE UPDATES / CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: The weekly “Devotionals to Go” are now on both websites each week. On the MPC website, look for the “Devotionals to Go” sub-menu item under the “News” menu; on CPC’s the “Devotionals to Go” is a main menu item.

Prayer of the Day, May 17, 2020: O God, you have invited and brought us to another Lord’s Day. We virtually gather today knowing that we are privileged to worship you with our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we have unity of mind and heart as we open ourselves to the movement of your Holy Spirit. As your love grows within us, may we have true koinonia, both with you and with one another. May our unity be real and visible to all who know us as your disciples. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.