Worship on Sunday, August 10
This was the Sunday before schools starts here in Rossville. As the people gathered there was the mix of emotions from the crowd. This was also the Sunday that the youth director promoted the new sixth graders into the youth group. What excitement in the youth group section.
Jeff Need led the announcement section. Vicki R, Megan Z, Debbie P, Buzz D, Jane R, Arlene G, Melissa H, Connie H, Parker B, Steve G, Jessica W, Julie W, Jennifer L, Dave B, and Phyllis H each shared either a joy from their week or a prayer request with the congregation.
The worship service was called to order. Alan Remaly was the liturgist of the morning. He opened up by telling the congregation that the theme of the morning is “faith.” He played the song “Screen Door” by Rich Mullins. When the song was finished he pointed out that the song said, “faith without works is like a song you can’t sing. It’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” He asked how we are putting our faith to work in this world.
Our opening hymns were “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “The Joy of the Lord.”
For the prayer time the pastor called forward anyone who was planning on being a student this next school year. Whether it was Preschool, Elementary, Middle, High, College, Graduate, Post graduate or military school, come forward. He asked anyone associated with the school system to come forward. Teachers, Administrators, substitute teachers, cooks, custodians, school board members, bus drivers, come forward. He asked parents, grand parents, friends or family of anyone who was up here to come up here. When about the entire congregation was up front, he asked the students to look around. The students do not go back to school alone. They are taking the church with them. Although most of us will not be around each evening to ask if your homework is completed, we also will not be around to celebrate good grades. Regardless, we expect you to always do your best. The pastor prayed over the group up front.
Betsy Remaly taught the children. She had some of the 6th graders come join her. She asked them to show the children what the opposite of standing looked like. The opposite of open eyes. The opposite of standing in place. She asked the group to tell her about the opposite of good. She talked about having good days and bad days. She taught that God walks with us through the good and the bad. She talked about Malachi 3 where God says that he will not change. The circumstances of the world changes. God does not.
Following the collection of the offering, Nathan McCullough gave an offering in song as he sang, “It is Well.”
The congregation sang, Take Time to be Holy.”
The scripture lesson was from Hebrews 11:1-7, 13-16, 32-40
The pastor talked about what faith is and why it is important to have faith.
The pastor talked about some of the great people in history who lived by faith.
The pastor challenged the congregation to take a step of faith in some area of their life. It was a moving and inspiring worship service.
The closing hymn was “Open My Eyes, That I May See.”
About 140 people enjoyed worship together.
