Today we take some time to really focus on “remembering the Sabbath and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) While taking a break from our community Sabbath this week, we pray that you will be able to spend this day to remember that you are loved and cared for by God, Who is writing our story, and to spend some time in God’s loving presence ~ whether on your own or together with your family, friends and community. Feel free to use whatever parts that will help you feel connected to God.
Call to Worship
This story is God’s story;
It hums in the rivers and trees,
it whispers in the skies and seas.
God’s story calls to people of all places
and speaks in our hearts and lives.
This story calls our name in Creation.
God’s story claims our lives through the cross
and shapes our future through the Spirit.
We are its telling in this time and place.
Amen.
Worship Songs
Oh Our Lord • by Paul Baloche
Ask, Seek, Knock • by Hillsong Kids
Passing of the Peace
Send a text message to someone either from our Anchor & Hope community or someone who needs God’s peace this day (Your pastors would love to hear from you, so please feel free to drop them a text as well!)
Prayer of Illumination
God of our stories, You have gifted us with the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and guide. Spirit, open our hearts and minds, so that in encountering Your Word, we might grow closer to You and follow Your Word more faithfully. Lead our sisters and brothers from our church this day, that they may hear from You too. In Jesus name, Amen.
Kids Reflection
Parents: Before watching the video with your kids, you might want to begin by mentioning that this is a parable — a story that Jesus told to teach us something important. Today’s story is about somebody who was lost.
Reflect with your children:
- Have you ever lost something that was precious to you? How did you feel?
- How do you think the woman felt when she found her coin?
- I wonder if you’ve ever been lost? What happened?
- I wonder why Jesus told this story?
- I wonder what this story tells us about God?
Scripture Engagement & Reflection
Read Philippians 4:8-20 (NLT) out loud (even if you’re by yourself!).
The story of the Apostle Paul’s life was filled with many dramatic moments — a powerful conversion experience on the road to Damascus, travels around the world as a missionary and church planter, persecution and shipwreck, and on and on! However, just like anyone who follows Jesus, Paul’s life was also deeply impacted by the ordinary stories of his everyday life. In many of his letters to God’s people (the “epistles” of the New Testament), he shares from his heart and his daily life to encourage God’s people to live faithfully.
Today’s passage from Philippians 4 is a story of love, generosity, connection, and support. Reflect on the following questions (in conversation if you’re with others or contemplatively if you’re on your own):
- What challenges was Paul facing?
- How did God help him?
- What life principles did Paul come to see through his story?
- How do you think those listening to Paul’s story would be impacted?
Often, it is the ordinary stories of love that change us most deeply. As Mother Teresa wisely taught, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Take a moment to watch this short video (“Double Major” from StoryCorps) and reflect together.
- What surprises did Wil and Olivia’s story contain?
- In what ways were love and generosity expressed?
- What were some challenges they faced? How did they overcome them?
- What questions did the story prompt?
- How did hearing this story affect you?
You might not think of your story as being a “big deal” — but this world could never have enough ordinary stories of great love! In a time of so much bad news, sharing your ordinary stories of love will help you and those you share with “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”
With that in mind, share a story of how an act of love you gave and/or received connected you more deeply with God and with other people. It doesn’t have to be a big, dramatic story (although it can be!) — the most important thing is that it is your story!
Worship Song
You Hold It All Together • by Maverick City Music
Closing Prayer
May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.
May God’s image in me be restored,
and my imagination in God be re-storied.
May the gravity of material things be lightened,
and the relativity of time slow down.
May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness
in the arms of God’s infiniteness greatness.
May God’s Word feed me and God’s Spirit lead me
into the week and into life to come.
Amen.
— Pete Grieig, Sabbath Blessing
Announcements
Baptism & Confirmation classes will be happening this summer. If you’re interested, please let PJ know.
AAPI Heritage Month (alternatively known as AANHPI) begins tomorrow, May 1. As a third culture church, we want to affirm and rejoice in the fact that all of who we are — including our cultural heritage and identities — are gifts from God that we can offer to the world. Consider starting tomorrow with Psalm 139 (CEV), thanking God who knows us and loves us and made us as we are:
The Lord is always near
You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
and with your powerful arm
you protect me from every side.
You are the one who put me together
inside my mother’s body,
and I praise you because of the wonderful way
you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.
Anchor & Hope Church 