GATHERING TO PRAISE GOD Sunday, November 13, 2022

Prelude

Praise Song

Welcome

The People Gather
L: Have you heard? Something new is coming, a different world than the one we know.
P: And we’re the ones to help make it happen!
L: Let us gather together, to support and encourage one another,
P: and to praise God—for new visions, for hope, for new beginnings, and for new possibilities.
L: Sing praises to God who has done gloriously!
P: Shout aloud and sing for joy, for God is in our midst!

Hymn Grace Alone 2162 TFWS

The People Pray
Our loving and caring God,
we need this time together to be united with our sisters and brothers in the faith;
we need this time of worship to be comforted and strengthened
in your presence.
We read of wars and division.
We read of persecution and oppression.
Remind us again of your vision, that all might live in a world of peace and justice and love.
May this time together rekindle this vision and promise in our hearts, that we may live into this beloved community. Amen.

Special Music

Baptism

The Word of God for the People of God

Scripture
James 1:26-27
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 2:1-4, 6,9
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

James 4:6
God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.

*Messag*e Pure Religion

Pastoral Prayer

The People Bring Their Gifts
There are baskets in the back or use your online app

The People Go into The World

Praise Song

Benediction

Gaelic Benediction

Postlude

Week 1: Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds. For the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

Week 2: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19

`Week 3: Faith without works is dead. James 2:17

This week’s memory verse:
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. James 4:6

We sometimes think the early Christian groups were totally innocent peaceful. James’ letter shows instead (as Paul’s letters did), that one of the main reasons the apostles wrote these letters was to help resolve tensions and quarrels in the early Christian congregations. If James were to write to us, what would he address?
If James were to write to you, what would he address?

What has helped you learn to examine your role in any conflicts
that you find disrupting your peace and focus?

One must choose between God’s values and the world’s, between God’s
wisdom and that which is of the world. What helps you choose the right set of values?

What reasons do you have to trust God as the judge rather than take on that role yourself?