God of every place, your power reaches beyond our boundaries.
~ Click on the worship video below. The video is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, Nov. 1. The service will also be broadcast at 7 am on Sunday on WSCS, channel 990 on Charter. Services are also shown on Spectrum Channel 14, Plymouth, Sundays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 7 am and 3 pm (delayed a week).
(Photo: R. Harker)
~ The grace of Jesus the Christ is for you, that you may walk in faith and live in peace.
~ Click on the worship video below. The video is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. The service will also be broadcast at 7 am on Sunday on WSCS, channel 990 on Charter. Services are also shown on Spectrum Channel 14, Plymouth, Sundays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 7 am and 3 pm (delayed a week).
(Photo: R. Harker)
~ God of Wisdom and Compassion, you know that, sometimes, life is just hard! In the midst of frustrating, worrisome, and troubled days, we seek refuge in your presence. (Photo: G. Rindfleisch)
~ Click on the worship video link. The video is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, Oct. 18. The service will also be broadcast at 7 am on Sunday on WSCS, channel 990 on Charter. Services are also shown on Spectrum Channel 14, Plymouth, Sundays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 7 am and 3 pm (delayed a week). You may also click below to download the bulletin.
Welcoming* Inclusive* Supportive* Engaged*
Excerpts from: Walking by Hannah Campbell Gustafson
Hannah is the outreach coordinator at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, MN, as well as the treasurer for the Mental Health Network, UCC.
A recent lectionary text that has been sticking with me was Luke 24:13-35. The story told includes two people walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they are walking and talking, Jesus joins them, though they don’t realize it is Jesus. In this story it appears that walking is serving as transportation, though the two people are enjoying their conversation as well.
I sometimes walk just so my dog, Óscar, can go pee. Sometimes I walk to get a break from my toddler, or to talk on the phone with a friend. Some of my most enjoyable walks are when I’m just walking to enjoy walking and all that comes with it—the people-watching, the wind and sun on my face, the bird calls, the views of various houses and yards and gardens. I’ll admit, though, that sometimes I feel guilty about these walks, like I should be more productive while on them.
This made me wonder about Jesus’ purpose, walking here. It seems to me that he’s not walking simply for transportation. (He’s recently been resurrected!) He does seem to be enjoying some connection with the other two people and enjoying their discussion (even as they don’t know who he is). I like to imagine that he’s just appreciating walking, that he’s savoring the people watching, the sun on his face, and the company. They’re talking enough that I don’t imagine they’re speed walking, but instead are walking at a fairly leisurely pace. Their lives are stressful, and it is good for their hearts, minds, and bodies to be walking like this.
I hope to keep this image of Jesus, savoring the experience of walking, in my mind. May I learn to more literally walk as Jesus walked, even as I strive to follow him in all that I do.
Please review these video links on Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and Trauma Informed Congregations.
~ As the Spirit gathers us for worship, may we open our hearts and minds to experience the presence of the Holy…who comforts, encourages, transforms, and renews.
~ You may click on the worship video link. The video is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, May 10. The service will also be broadcast at 7 am on Sunday on WSCS, channel 990 on Charter and 99 on AT&T U-Verse. Services are also shown on Spectrum Channel 14, Plymouth, Sundays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 7 am and 3 pm (delayed a week).
~ God of Life and Love, in times of uncertainty, you are the ground that steadies us. When nothing feels stable or secure, the knowledge of your abiding presence is our strength and our comfort.
(Photo: Ruth Harker)
~ You may click on the worship video link. The video is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, May 10. The service will also be broadcast at 7 am on Sunday on WSCS, channel 990 on Charter and 99 on AT&T U-Verse. Services are also shown on Spectrum Channel 14, Plymouth, Sundays at 7 am and Wednesdays at 7 am and 3 pm (delayed a week).
~ We are here, delighting in the newness of creation and celebrating the hope of new life…even within us. May we bring our whole selves – ALL of who we are – to experience an encounter with the Holy that comforts and encourages us.
~ As we join our hearts in worship, may the spirit renew our vision that we may see the living Christ in ways that heal and bring life.
Join in Sunday worship. The video link below is available starting at 7 am on Sunday, April 26.
Click below 1) Rev. Alan Johnson speaks at the UCC General Synod 30 on behalf of the Resolution for Developing WISE Congregations for Mental Health. 2) Rev. Johnson shares Words of Encouragement during this time of crisis.
Rev. Alan Johnson speaks as a proponent of the WISE Initiative
Words of Encouragement by Rev. Alan Johnson, UCC Mental Health Network Chair
– We are here, Holy One, longing to experience the Peace of Jesus the Christ. As we offer our whole selves to you, may your Spirit stir among us—renewing and refreshing us—so that we can be ready to serve you by loving and caring for others.