Please find attached the worship liturgy for Sunday’s worship service, which you can print so that you can follow and participate in worship. Please note that we are trying something new tomorrow, which is that we will start recording at 9:25 a.m. but I will not begin to start with welcoming words until 9:30 a.m.
Our own Reverend Victoria was a speaker on the second Chula Vista City Senior Roundtable. This program explores ways to avoid social isolation and how to keep from going crazy during the pandemic.
Ever wonder what the Hebrew Prophets and Jesus thought and taught about Social Justice? Well here is your chance to find out! Our own Rev. Dr. Jamall Calloway, (Minister for Youth and Young Adults and professor of Religion at San Diego University) will be offering a Bible Study on-line for ANYONE of ANY age using Zoom. The closes will be held on the following 6 Saturdays: 5/16, 5/23, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, and 6/27 from 10-11:30 a.m. Here is the class description which Jamall has prepared for us.
In today’s society we hear a lot about “social justice.” From every political group and network there are vigorous debates about the concept of “rights”, the role of the government and the responsibility of the citizen. Some groups—even across positions—use the Holy Bible as the source and authority of their viewpoints. There is no shortage of Christians declaring what the Bible says from their vantage point. But let’s pause for a second and read the Bible together as a church. Let us read together to figure out what does the Bible say about how we should govern ourselves, how we should treat each other and what should we do for one another? Let us take the concept of social justice and see if we can find lessons from the Bible. Let us see, together, what advice we can glean from the scriptures. I want to know what the Bible teaches us in terms of learning how to live in right relations with each other in our mysterious modern world.
If you are interested in joining this class please email Jamall directly to sign up. (Jacalloway@sandiego.edu) DO NOT WORRY IF YOU HAVE NEVER USED Zoom. It is very easy to use. IF you do not have a camera with a phone you can STILL join by calling into the class session. It is free! Once you sing up you will receive an email with an invitation to join the class. Jamall has prepared it based on his extensive knowledge of the Bible and his experience as a social justice leader.
Third Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020 Worship On-Line Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista United Church of Christ
Today is designated as Pacific Asian American Ministry (PAAM) Sunday, which is when our denomination, the United Church of Christ, celebrates and honors Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are members and ministers within the UCC.
We, at Community Congregational Church, are blessed to have many members in our congregation, from Filipino and Samoan backgrounds, as well as from Asian countries and Hawaii!
In honor of them we are using the worship service that has been written by a colleague and friend of Pastor Liz’s, Rev. Mitchell Young. It has been adapted for our use today by Pastor Liz.
You are cordially invited to participate in our 2nd Sunday of Easter Worship Service on Sunday, April 19th at 9:30 a.m. or at a time of your choosing.
Worship Instructions: In order to give Pastor Liz a well needed vacation, this week’s service will be a little different. Please proceed through the service below at your own pace. When it is time for songs and the reflection, watch the included videos.
Our thanks to Rev Libby Tigner (Associate Conference Minister for Southern Association SCNC UCC) for sharing her message this week.
If you’d like to download the worship service, you may do so here.
Prayer of Invocation: Generous God, we thank you for your presence with us in all our lives. As we worship you this morning, even from our own homes, we are reminded of the many times we have doubted and feared. Today banish our fears with the memory of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Remind us again that through all our troubles, doubts, and fears, your power, mercy and love are with us. Amen.
Hymn of Adoration: “Crown Him With Many Crowns”
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His Throne
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but it’s own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him who died for Thee;
And hail Him as they matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumped o’er the grave.
Who rose victorious to the strife,
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high:
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Prayer of the People and Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading
John 20:19-31 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Message: Rev Libby Tigner
Closing Song “How Great Thou Art”
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Chorus
Benediction: Pastor Liz Aguilar
May the resurrected Christ fill you with His peace even as you doubt.
May His love move you to share his peace with others.
~~
Announcements and Reminders
Please remember to continue sending in your pledges and offerings to the church: Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista, UCC, 276 F. St., Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Please continue to pray for one another and for all of God’s children around the world, that might be affected by the Corona Virus. Please pray that God helps scientist to develop a vaccine and that more tests would be made available. Please also pray for those who are struggling financially at this time. Lastly, please remember to reach out to one another through phone calls and cards. You are not alone!