Worship Guide (v1) for September 13, 2020
Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for September 13, 2020
Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for September 13, 2020
This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.
You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!
Worship and Message theme:
Our worship theme this week is courage. Fires, hurricanes, social unrest, injustice, the contentious election season, the pandemic and regular obstacles we face stress all of us differently. Living in a community requires courage. We need the courage to be present for others. We need the courage to be humble. Courage to be patient. Courage to serve others and take steps in a new direction. We need courage to forgive others. That’s really a challenge.
Our scripture readings this week are about courage as we meet Moses at the Red Sea when a vanguard of courageous Israelites walk into the sea on dry ground, and we will hear Jesus’ story of the merciful King and his cowardly unforgiving manager.
When we authentically sacrifice for others, doing the right thing in the right way, we are acting courageous. As Paul instructed his student Timothy, “make full use of the gift that God gave you…use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Jesus said, “Freely you have received. Freely give” (Matthew 10:8). How do you love your neighbor as yourself? How are you experiencing that love yourself? When do you ask God for courage? When should you ask God for courage?
It takes courage to believe God, to forgive as we have been forgiven. Whatever seas and obstacles you are facing, God’s abundant grace will give you abundant courage so the Spirit can empower you to mirror God’s love, forgiveness, and grace to others.
In Two Weeks—September 20th—Welcome Back!
Music Preview:
We begin worship prayerfully asking that Christ “Help Us Accept Each Other,” a musical and visual offering of the United Japanese Christian Church in California. The scriptural basis for this song is Romans 15:7. Living as people who have been accepted by Christ inspire us to accept others, too. The solo, “Got Any Rivers” is offered by the Rev. Larry Moyer. Written by pastor Oscar Carl Eliason in 1942, he based the chorus on the Panama Canal Gang’s lyrics about uncrossable rivers and cutting through mountains! He added scripture references about Joshua, who like Moses in today’s message, crossed a mighty body of water with courage. We conclude with is “Build Your Kingdom Here,” with Jesus’ teaching and parables about the