For Sunday,
October 30, 2022
Opening
Start this time in some contemplation. You can just take a couple of moments to think about this, if you’re in a group perhaps you can take turns sharing your answers.
- How have I been feeling lately?
- Where in my body (physically) have I been feeling what I’m feeling?
- What has been helping me to feel rested lately?
- How have I been maintaining connection lately (with God, with each other, with the world)?
Since it is a day before Halloween and two days before All Saints Day, we’ll spend some of our time feeling connected to our past, particularly our faith past, by reflecting on the Apostles’ Creed.
The Apostle’s Creed
If you’re with a group, then you may say the Apostles’ Creed together.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Worship Song
A Thousand Generations
You have been faithful
to a thousand generations
Slow to anger, swift to bless
Your hand has guided us
through every situation
Your loving kindness hasn’t failed us yet
God, You are my God
You are my God
I will live to sing Your praises
God, joy of my heart
You are my rock
You’ve been faithful through the ages
The day will come when
every eye on earth will see You
When every heart and every voice will say
That You are perfect
in Your wisdom and Your justice
Oh how we long to see that glorious day
You’re God of heaven’s armies
You’re God of galaxies
Valleys rise up to meet You
The mountains bow their knees
Creation stands in wonder
At all that You’ve achieved
And You have set Your love on me
Though You may lead us
through the valley of the shadow
We will rise to see You face to face
And we will gather
with the saints in that great city
Where every sorry will be washed away
Always faithful through the ages
You’ve been faithful through the ages
Kids Song
and Video
Fixing My Eyes On You
Introduce the video by asking, “Is there a person you remember from the Bible? Who is it?” and then after hearing their answers, then ask, “Did you know that we are all part of the same family as that person because of Jesus?” Then watch the video below.
Passing of the Peace
Take a moment to greet, bless, and encourage one another! You can also send a text message to someone who could use a blessing today!
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 11:1-2
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
Scripture Reflection
Prepared by Pastor Jeya So
The Apostle’s Creed
If you are using this as a group, feel free to answer the bolded questions sprinkled throughout as part of the group discussion.
“Trusting the Creator is the solid ground our hope rests on. It means we can be sure of the things we do not yet see. For it was this kind of trusting that brought honor to our ancestors.”
— adapted from the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament
Are there people you remember who were examples of faith to you? Perhaps an older relative, or a beloved Sunday school teacher, or a neighbor? Are there stories of past “saints” (not meaning those who have been formally canonized but those who have been great examples of faith) that have been inspirational to you?
When I (this is PJ!) was young, we went occasionally to a church up the street from where we lived in Los Angeles. Because we went infrequently, I did not have any friends at the church, and felt shy going to the Sunday school class. We must have gone for several years, although the years feel like they blended together, because I do remember having several different Sunday school teachers but there’s one Sunday school teacher I remember best. Once a month, she would bring a little frozen Pepperidge Farm cake to celebrate everyone’s birthday for the month. When it was my birthday month, I remember thinking that there was no way that she would remember that my birthday should be included. We were such infrequent church goers at the time, after all. But she warmly called my name, along with the others, and the class sang happy birthday including a girl they hardly knew. I remember feeling shocked that somehow she knew me. That she thought of me. And that warm little memory was tucked away in my memory until I began church work myself and I realized that this woman, who’s name I can’t remember, but whose face I can still fuzzily recall (she had a thin, elfin face and a short haircut) as someone who showed me the love of Christ. Someone who saw even those that thought that they had been forgotten, or who thought they were unknown and showed them that they were known, that they were remembered, that they were loved.
Our Bible passage tells us that faith is “the solid ground our hope rests on” and because of their faith, our ancestors pleased God. We can look to those that walked ahead of us to show us the way of love and trust and follow their example.
What’s a legacy of faith that you’ve inherited? What’s one that you want to pass on?
Today, we recited the Apostles’ Creed as part of our Sabbath worship. This was a creed that was likely written sometime in the 4th century, perhaps as a response to some wrong understandings about God; particularly about the Trinitarian understanding of God (that God is 3 persons, 1 God – Father or Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit). This was memorized and passed on down generations so that fellow believers across the ages would have a right understanding of God. It was a gift from those who went before us to all of us today.
Take a moment to read the Apostles’ Creed again. Is there a part that stands out to you? Is there a part that you have questions about? For those parts that you have questions about, how might the saints around you help answer those questions?
For me, today the part that stands out is “the communion of saints.” This line speaks to how believers around the world are united together as the family of God. United in God’s love, we are called to show God’s love to and bless the world. We might not be meeting together for our community Sabbath, but we are still together through the Holy Spirit and able to know and show God’s love to others. May the love of God, that has been faithful through the ages fill you this day.
Prayer
God of laughter and joy,
we turn to You
in the way of our ancient ancestors,
grateful of the abundance
of food and festivity that surrounds us
at this time of year.
Help us that today, tomorrow, and always,
we may be filled with Your love
to share with all those that we meet.
We pray this with all the saints
in heaven and on earth.
Amen.
Closing Song
Your Love Is Strong
Heavenly Father, You always amaze me
Let Your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need
To live through today
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I walk to the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?
Two things You told me
That You are strong
And You love me
Yes, You love me
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Our God in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer this out loud together:
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.
Announcements
Sunday Worship Resumes
We will be back at the Mount Soledad Presbyterian campus next Sunday, November 6th at 1:00 pm for our regular worship gathering! Since it’ll be the first Sunday of the month, we’ll celebrate communion together.
Halloween Blessings
Check out Anchor City’s Instagram tomorrow for some blessings for Halloween!
Anchor & Hope Church 