Online Worship – March 29, 2020

The Service For The Lord’s Day THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

MARCH 29, 2020 10:00 AM “I’ve found somebody just like me! I thought I was the only one of them.”

… Tigger, looking in a mirror (from Winne-the-Pooh)

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship Whenever or however you view this week’s joint worship online, you can download this bulletin from both church websites to follow along and participate in the liturgy from your home. You might want to print this before you begin watching to assist you in fully participating in worship. WELCOME WORDS FROM BOTH MULBERRY AND CHRIST CHURCHES (Rev. Sellers) PRELUDE (Sharon Whitley)

CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 130) Let us lift up our voices and call out to God.

We cry out, believing with all that is in us that God hears our cry. Even though we are apart and gathering only through the miracle of the Internet, let us come together in our hearts and minds and wait for God.

We come together, online and in spirit, trusting that God is still speaking. Surely God’s presence is here with us now, wherever and whenever “here” may be.

We wait in hope, for God’s steadfast love lifts our hearts. Come, worship the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and offer our sacrifice of praise.

We once again celebrate the power of God that restores us. Amen.

* HYMN “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” (insert - at end) (As you watch and participate, feel free to stand wherever you are if you would like. Even worshiping in our homes via the Internet, we can still observe every element of worship as if we were gathered in our sanctuaries.)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison prayer) Lord God, we believe that our lives are held within your encircling love. Jesus, we believe that you are the divine child of the living God, who came to dwell among us. Holy Spirit, we believe in your renewing presence, who yearns over our welfare as a mother yearns for her children. Yet Lord, there are times – just like the time we all find ourselves in now – when we need you to call us out of our dark places. Remind us that the grace of new life is still ours to grasp, even when we can’t seem to find it. When we look around and see nothing but hopelessness, surprise us yet again with the breath of your spirit blowing through our homes as we worship together. Call us out of our complacency and routines, set us free from our self-imposed bonds, and fill us with your spirit of life, compassion and peace. In the name of Jesus, your Anointed One, we pray. Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE “Kyrie” (version used at Mulberry on occasion) Leader: Lord, have mercy Response: Lord, have mercy. Leader: Christ, have mercy Response: Christ, have mercy. Leader: Lord, have mercy Response: Lord, have mercy

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* RESPONSE “Gloria Patri”

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(If you are worshiping with family this morning, share the peace of Christ with them; If this reminds you of someone you might need to reach out to, you might send them a text right now with the words “The Peace of Christ be with you!”)

Proclaiming the Word OLD TESTAMENT READING: Psalm 61: 1 – 4 (on last page)

VIDEO ANTHEM “Psalm 61 – Hear My Cry” (The 2nd Chapter of Acts)

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD During the offertory please take a moment or two and intentionally make plans to send your offering to the church. You might pull out an envelope and address it; or write a check while you are listening and singing along. It’s a good time to remember that even though we are not meeting in our respective sanctuaries, we still have utilities to pay, salaries to support, and ministry to continue. (We are working on making online giving available and hope that it will be functioning on both websites in the next week or so.)

OFFERTORY “There is a Balm in Gilead” (Sharon Whitley)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. * PRAYER OF DEDICATION

NEW TESTAMENT READING: John 11: 1 – 6; 17 – 21; 32 – 35; 38 - 44 (last page)

SERMON “A Somewhat Sideways Look at Lazarus” Rev. Sellers

Responding to the Word

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from “A Brief Statement of Faith”) In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. Amen.

* HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” (insert – at end)

Carrying the Word Into the World

* CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE

(*Those able are invited to stand.)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, and I am going there to awaken him,” says Jesus.

In the epic poem, the Odyssey of Homer, the hero Odysseus journeys back home from Troy to Ithaca in a long sea-voyage. On the way, Odysseus and his crew encounter many obstacles that string out their journey from months into years. One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome is in the Land of the Lotus-Eaters. In that land, there is a certain flowering plant that has narcotic properties. Some of Odysseus’ crew eat of the lotus plants, and immediately they become so filled with pleasure that they forget all thought of the homes and families they’ve been longing for. The thing they most desire is no longer important to them. The alluring distraction demands all their attention. These drug-addled sailors literally have to be dragged back to the ship.

With all his talk about sleep and awakening, Jesus is talking about so much more than just raising his friend Lazarus from death. He’s also teaching about sin: the slow spiritual death that results from it. The most dangerous sins are those that put us blissfully to sleep, so we’re not even aware we’re committing them.

When someone asked a wise old shepherd how sheep manage to get lost and separate themselves from the flock, the shepherd said, “Sheep don’t just get lost. They nibble themselves

lost.” The sheep, in other words, never look up to see where they’re going, or how far they’ve wandered from the flock. All they can see is the next succulent patch of grass: and the next, and the next. The grass is a good thing, and essential to life: but they follow it so single-mindedly, it leads them ultimately in the direction of death.”

… Rev. Wenda Fry

“For the most part, if people in the pews believe at all, they believe as Martha believed, in the resurrection on the last day. So they endure the death, the mourning, the crying, the pain. They grieve, yet grieve not as those who have no hope concerning those who have “fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:6, 18). They may even anticipate “a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine” on that day when we will dine together again with Christ in the kingdom. In the meantime, the time of accident and disease, of slow dying and sudden endings, the operative eschatology is future tense, and the reigning ethic is private morality. The miracle awaits its time. Until then, we tell ourselves that we will know (the monstrous reason) by and by.

But Jesus counters Martha’s future tense with his presence, speaking the words we repeat each time the great congregation gathers to weep in common: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

“Take away the stone,” Jesus commands. Like Martha, the realist, we balk at this dress rehearsal for Easter morning. Hence Jesus must exegete the substance of what we are about to see in order that we may believe. See the glory of God, he says. See in death defeated eternal life. ... Then live as though the Eternal were now because God is. Live as though death has no power over your days. Live as though you belong, in life and death, to God. This is your only comfort, we try to say to the reasonable crowd that has assembled to pay their final respects.

Realized eschatology is what we learned to call this in seminary, but in the midst of sorrow and grief, real people who live in the face of death before the God who raised Jesus from the dead are simply called saints. They are those who realize before they die that neither death nor life, things present nor things to come, can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. They are those who, therefore, may dare everything for the sake of this one true thing.”

… Rev. Cynthia Jarvis, “Pastoral Perspective on John 11,” In “Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised

Common Lectionary: Year B, vol. 4.”

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – March 29, 2020 (Updated as of Friday, March 27th)

Pray for everyone all over the world suffering from or affected by COVID-19. That fear, anxiety and panic do NOT rule the day, but that with trust, faith and

responsible actions all people endure this situation. That all families who have lost loved ones know the peace and comfort of

God. That all people who have contracted COVID-19 recover fully and quickly.

Pray for ALL those we know and love who have already had their jobs impacted by closures and downsizing due to the COVID-19 crisis (like Ashley Rhyne).

Rob Hersfield (Marcia Brashear’s brother in Texas): Has tested positive for COVID-19 and is mildly symptomatic.

Victoria Rollins (Lisa’s daughter and Helen Mark’s granddaughter): Tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and is symptomatic.

Pray for all those who have to work in situations that may expose them to the virus; for police, fire, transportation, health care and emergency workers (like both of Jim Brown’s children (firefighter and ER nurse) and Phil Egel’s son (firefighter), for those in retail (like Debbie Vidal), those who have to be around people in their jobs (like Brandon Cook), and those who cannot work from home (like Chris Shumaker).

For those in assisted living situations or nursing homes who cannot have any visitors or contact with family (like Pat McMillian’s mother, Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Lorenzo Conyers).

Chuck Sadler (Henry Sadler of MPC’s son): Continued rehab. now that he is home. Bill Thomason (MPC member): Eye infection, pray for return of sight. Daryl & Linda Carpenter: Recent health concerns (Daryl) and glaucoma (Linda). Ashley Rhyne: Laid off since her restaurant had to close; her father’s help and other

relatives needs. All the families now relying upon CMS meal delivery or pickup for their children. Those people in countries that have been completely locked down or where travel and

movement are massively restricted Pray for wisdom for those who ignore the safety concerns in this current crisis,

including college students who refuse to act responsibly or follow common sense. Pray for all COVID-19 ‘PARTIES’ and other risky behaviors to cease.

Blake Barnette: Job Search

Brysen Barnette: Important exams and job applications. Pray for:

All the Churches in Charlotte Presbytery as they seek ways to faithfully respond to the current situation just as we are. Pray for our Presbytery staff as they seek to lead and serve all of us through this ever changing situation.

The SW Charlotte SDA Church and their ministry and partnership with Mulberry. Pray for them as the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting their congregation as much as it is all others.

The students and staff of the Lorien Academy of the Arts, who meet downstairs at Christ.

The students and staff of the Creative Player Foundation who also meet at Christ on school days.

MULBERRY STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Christ Staff Contact Information

Pastor: Rev. Rodger Sellers rpsellers@gmail.com 704-796-3117

Admin: Tina Emmons tinaemmons@ymail.com

Music Dir: Brandon Cook kbrandco@aol.com 704-941-9400

Psalm 61: 1 – 4: To the leader: with stringed instruments. Of David. 1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me

to the rock that is higher than I; 3 for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your

wings. Selah John 11: 1 – 45:

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6 after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples

said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10 But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” 11 After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” 13 Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know

that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her

privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34 He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus began to weep. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone

was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus

did, believed in him.