Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven,
We have now done two virtual church services and I am inviting you to join us this coming Sunday. We are attaching the Bulletin for the April 19th service as well as a wonderful letter from Pastor Ralph. Pastor Ralph's letter is also below. Instructions for joining our service are at the bottom of Pastor Ralph's letter. In order to make the service run smoother, please mute your device during the service. You can unmute during our virtual coffee hour after the service. If you have any concerns that you wish to be mentioned by Pastor Ralph during the prayers, please call or email Nancy Best, 631-286-1659, nancyeb40@gmail.com.
God Bless,
Linda
A Message from Pastor Ralph Wright
April 16, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church
Streaming is the new fellowship of the Christian Church. It is a new way of holding ourselves together in a time of a global pandemic. It is also not the easiest high tech to understand. This past Sunday we celebrated Easter. We hailed the resurrection of Jesus with those familiar words, "He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!" We celebrated with family, neighbors and church members. But we didn't hug, high five, shake hands, or as we do in Europe kiss on each cheek. But most important we were able to show love and extend hope to our circle of friends and family.
Hope. That's is the message for a world in crisis. That is the message of Easter. That is the message Jesus wants us to continue to share with all of those around us. Our present week leads up to the 2nd Sunday of Easter. Because so many folks are exhausted after celebrating Easter, the following Sunday has a lower church attendance and therefore is often referred to as "Low Sunday". Statistically this may be right, but theologically and historically this is incorrect. Because the week between Easter and the following Sunday, as proclaimed in the scriptures, was a time which truly changed the attitude and feelings of the disciples who entered the week as scared and afraid followers to confident and loving apostles. This is the week of the beginnings of the Christian Church.
It is easy to equate the word church with institutions. The word church or kirk has its roots in the Anglo/Germanic word "die Kirche" which can imply a structure. The French and its Latin/Greek roots refer to church not as a building but as a faith. The French word is l' église which has its roots in the Greek word ecclesia which traditionally means "called out". Christians are called out to share their faith, their hope, their love, their good deeds with the world around them.
In the middle of a corona virus pandemic it is easy, because of lock down rules, to stay at home and not interact with the world. To allow friends and neighbors to be scared and yes, even angry about not being able to do what they usually did, working, socializing, relaxing, travelling, etc. But from the scriptures we are enjoined to reach out, support, love, console, and assist all our family and friends in this time of need. Whether we do it as first responders, hospital workers, essential employees, or as individuals working and living at home, we also have the call of St. Paul the Apostle, to go into the world, preaching, teaching and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fortunately, in our new age we have the internet. Martin Luther was able to get out this message because of the invention of the printing press. We are able to get the word out today with help of the internet and streaming. No longer are we confined to our village or town…. the world is now open to us all. And likewise, we are open to the world. Hopefully the tools that we have learned to use, during this pandemic, will continue to be used when we return to more normal times. The message of Hope of Jesus needs to be proclaimed through both word and deed and we now have this new tool. Let us affirm that we will continue to improve our use of the internet so we can share Hope with the world in which we live.
Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with me.
Pastor Ralph
Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.
516-606-7671 (cell)
rbwright1@aol.com
Please see instructions below to join our virtual Sunday Service:
Time: Apr 19, 2020 09: 45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2425544200?pwd=M3JpbUVPMWplL3FHWjlGR1pmK0c2dz09
Meeting ID: 242 554 4200
Password: 092003
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,2425544200#,,#,092003# US (New York)
+13126266799,,2425544200#,,#,092003# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 242 554 4200
Password: 092003
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/krJmA4Y23
Bulletin - Old South Haven Presbyterian Church
April 19, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.
Second Sunday of Easter
PRELUDE
RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL
INTROIT
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
PEOPLE: Hallelujah, Our Lord is risen.
Leader: Thank God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that in his great mercy we have been born
again into a life full of hope, through Christ's rising
from the dead.
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God, who shows us his mercy.
Leader: Praise the Lord.
UNISION: The Lord's name be praised. Amen.
* HYMN OF PRAISE "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" # 276
CALL TO CONFESSION:
Leader: If we claim to be sinless, we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth. If we confess our sins, God is just, and may be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every kind of wrong. Let us admit our sin before God:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you called us to be a servant people, but we do not do what you command. We are often silent when we should speak, and useless when we could be useful. We are unfaithful servants, timid and heartless, who turn neighbors away from your love. Have mercy on us, O God, and though we do not deserve your care, forgive us, and free us from sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Leader: This statement is completely reliable and should be universally accepted: Christ Jesus entered the world to rescue sinners. Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
PEOPLE: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
* GLORIA PATRI #581
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one
body you were called to peace. The peace of Christ be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you. Amen.
(Because of health concerns, it is suggested that we refrain from
shaking hands during the Passing of the Peace)
CHILDREN'S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Leader: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that
as the Scriptures are read and Your Word is proclaimed, we may hear
with joy what You say to us today. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Hebrew Testament: Psalm 16: 1-11
Leader: This is the Word of our Lord.
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN.
* HYMN # 289 "O God of Every Nation"
SECOND LESSON Gospel: John 20:19-31
Leader: This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN.
SERMON "Easter Continues On" Rev. Ralph Wright
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH "A Korean Creed"
We believe in the one God, creator and sustainer of all things, Father of all nations, the source of all goodness and beauty, all truth and love. We believe in Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, our teacher, example, and Redeemer, the Savior of the world. We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, for comfort, and for strength.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, in the life of love and prayer, and in grace equal to every need. We believe in the Word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments as the sufficient rule both of faith and of practice.
We believe in the church, those who are united in the living Lord for the purpose of worship and service. We believe in the reign of God as the divine will realized in human society, and in the family of God, where we are all brothers and sisters. We believe in the final triumph of righteousness and in the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION
PASTOR'S PRAYER OF THE DAY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING/OFFERTORY
* DOXOLOGY
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
* CLOSING HYMN # 393 "Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said"
* BENEDICTION
* POSTLUDE
*Congregation Standing
During this critical pandemic time, please remember to support your local church with your tithes and offerings. You may mail your contributions directly to the church.
********
For a wealth of information regarding the Coronavirus The Presbyterian Church (USA)'s website shares not only medical information, but devotional and church response information. www.pcusa.org is the address and check out Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members.
In the same way the Presbytery of Long Island's www.presbyteryofLI.org website shares similar information localized for Long Island, including locations of streaming services from various churches in our area.
No comments:
Post a Comment