"It's a Local Call"A group of Pacific Telephone operators routing telephone calls, circa 1965, when there was still a big difference between local and long-distance calling
Special Note: In addition to this week's and next week's volunteers listed at the end of this email, please also scroll down to see the 2017 schedules for Communion Preparers and Communion Servers. These schedules will also be mailed out, but here's an advance copy. In a time when there's no longer any distinction between local and long-distance telephone calls - a time when we're not sure that the person calling us is even in the same hemisphere as us - I realize that this Sunday's sermon title will date me a bit, as if the receding grey hair didn't do the job well enough. Ah well, it is what it is. I am old enough to remember, as a very little boy, my grandmother's party line, and making local calls by rotary-dialing just four digits; and even in college making sure I called home after 11pm, and even then for short durations, because long-distance calls were expensive, even during those discounted hours. Our gospel text this week, Matthew 4:12-23, deals with calls of a different sort - calls that are, in a way, simultaneously "long-distance" and quite local: Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. We in the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition have had a lot to say about this idea of God's calling us - most notably, that God calls us all in some way or another; that being called by God isn't something reserved for some supposed "priestly class" of clergy, or only those whose daily work is for the institution of the Church. We believe that we all have some "vocation" - literally, from the Latin, that we have been "called" - to something particular in our lives in service to God. Today, when we think of that word, we tend to think of it in a strictly secular sense, and only with regard to some particular subset of the full variety of things that people may do as daily work (for example, we tend to distinguish "vocations" from "professions," etc.). I think that's unfortunate on both counts. Both the scriptures, and certainly the theology that we've inherited from John Calvin, would say something very differently, and something that's quite relevant to us in our own daily lives. This may be even more relevant to us in the current social turmoil that we find ourselves experiencing in our country these days. What do you think - do you see what you do to earn your daily bread as something inherent in, and important to, your life of faith as a follower of Christ? Yes, no, somewhere in between? And if you see your "job" in terms of it being related to your "vocation" from God, what does that mean? If you're locked into an awful job for whatever reason, does that mean that God is simply "calling" you to be locked in your miserable state? Or does it mean something else? And if it means something else, what do you think that might be? John the Baptist, who shows up "offstage" in this Sunday's text, had a "vocation," was called by God, to some particular way of being God's servant. Similarly, Jesus called those first disciples to a particular vocation, a particular way of being servants of God. Have you ever considered how God may be calling you? I invite you to think about that, in advance of this Sunday. Hope to see you then. Grace and peace, Dwain Music This Week: (please follow the links provided to hear these if you aren't familiar with them) 9:00 Gathering Song - Hymn #705 You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) Opening Song - All to Us Response - Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone Sermon Song - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) Communion Song - Hymn #510 We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name (Come, Share the Lord) Sending Song - Hymn #741 Guide My Feet 11:00 Prelude - O Day of Peace Opening Hymn - #388 Come, All You People (Uyai Mose) - This simple but beautiful song, originating in Zimbabwe, began as a children's favorite and has become very popular with people of all ages and faith traditions. This Sunday, we'll sing through it several times - sometimes all of us, sometimes men & boys, sometimes women & girls, sometimes in English, and sometimes in Shona, its original language. Response - Hymn #625 O Lord My God (How Great Thou Art) - A classic traditional favorite in American churches - but did you know that it was originally a Swedish song, and was translated into German, andd then Russian, before making it into English. Hmm, I didn't know that, either. Anthem - With Our Voices Praising God Sermon Hymn: #450 Be Thou My Vision - This much-beloved hymn is based on a traditional Irish folk tune. The Gory to God hymnal points out that the lyrics are taken from a 20th-century version of an ancient 10th-century Irish monastic prayer. So if you've ever wondered where the lyrics came from, now you know. Response - Hymn #390 Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord - Another piece of global Christian music, this song of praise originated in Cameroon. Here's a link to a fun version of the song, being used as a processional for a choral group. We won't be doing the dance steps this Sunday, but if you feel led to step out in the aisle and do them, I don't suppose anyone would stop you. Sending Hymn - #307 God of Grace, and God of Glory - This hymn was written in 1930, while the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, by the Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick, a strong proponent of the social gospel, a movement that recognized the plight of the poor and marginalized. Postlude - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty Assisting in Worship This Week: Liturgist Ellen Parks (9:00) Greg Cohen (11:00) Audio Mark Sterrett (9:00) Mike Coomes (11:00) Run Slides Anne Locke Prepare Slides Jane Jones Coffee Host(s) Carol Snyder Ushers Weldon & Sue Maisch (9:00) Bob & Shirley Mendell, Roxane Hincker, Tim Banerjee(11:00) Greeters The Martiny family (9:00) Sandy Gillespie, Lynn Shea (11:00) Welcome Desk Dottie Willis (9:00) Carol Hyatt (11:00) Announcements Dementia Wise Family Caregiver Support Group A support group can help people cope with their unique situation. This free support group will meet every Tuesday at Springdale Presbyterian Church for five weeks from 6 - 8 PM beginning February 7. New Hot Topics Book Club (Fiction & Non-Fiction) Hosted by Springdale Presbyterian, meeting beginning Tuesday February 21 at 1 PMin the library and the 3rd Tuesday of each month thereafter. Please call 502-425-1760 to register. The first book we will read is The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. Spiritual Nurture - at Church Please join us for age-appropriate, thought-provoking learning opportunities most Sunday mornings. Adults "Love in the Human Condition:" January 22: Love in a Time of Dissing Others - Milt Tyree "Don't believe everything you think: A discussion about prejudice, unconscious bias, and influence of expectations.” January 29: Love in a Time of Blues - Jean Podbelsek "What I Feel I Can Heal: Taming Depression" Children and Youth Childcare is provided during Spiritual Nurture time, at Grace Place in Rooms 204/208 on the main level, across from the Choir Room. CONSTRUCTion (Pre-K through 4th grade) and CONNECTion (5th-6th grade) - Room 108 downstairs InFORMATION (Grades 7-8) and QUESTion (Grades 9-12) begin in the sanctuary with Denise Whittington to work on songs for PYC Sunday - then to youth rooms. Spiritual Nurture - at Home Taking time at the beginning and end of the day for prayer is an important spiritual discipline. You can find some sample morning and evening prayers that you can use this week, in a holder on the counter of the welcome desk. You’ll probably tweak them to make them your own, but they’re a good start for you in your own personal devotional practices. (I promise, new weekly prayer sheets are coming soon - DL) "Breaking Bread for Social Justice" Louisville's Muslim Community is hosting "Breaking Bread for Social Justice," a gathering to foster dialogue and collaboration among various faith and other community groups. The event will take place on Saturday, January 28, from 2-5pm, at the American Turkish Friendship Association Center at 4711 Progress Boulevard. Drinks, snacks and sweets will be provided. The event will explore how we can work together in the face of increasing Islamophobia, racism, homophobia, transphobia, attacks on poor and working class people, immigrants, and women. The event is free of charge, wheelchair accessible and child-friendly. If you are interested in on-site child care please call Keith 502 835 8063. Find out more about the event at http://bit.ly/2jRaIrG Knitting A group of ladies have decided to get together on a regular basis to knit hats and mittens for kids and adults who are in need. These women are asking for yarn to be donated to this group. If you are able to donate yarn or would like to join them on their project, please see Barbara McClain. Sanctuary Flowers If you would like to sponsor flowers in recognition of a special person or event, there is now a sign up sheet in the Gathering Area. Please feel free to pick a date and sign your name. On the form, you can indicate whether the flowers are placed in memory of, in honor of, or in celebration of someone, or something. The flowers are yours to bring home following the 11:00am service. The cost is $35.00. Questions? Contact the church office, by phone at 425-1760, or by email at [email protected]. Online, Direct Deposit, and Online/Mobile Giving Options for financially supporting the church other than dropping something into the traditional offering plate are quickly becoming the norm for many people. In order to make your stewardship efforts as easy as possible, Springdale offers online giving on our website and automatic transfer of funds. For an authorization form or information, contact the church office - 425-1760. An even easier option is to simply set up a regularly scheduled automatic payment to the church, as you might do for your cable/internet service or other recurring charges, through your bank's online/mobile banking feature. Support Springdale’s Mission by Supporting our Endowment Fund The SPC Endowment Fund, currently valued at over $150,000, is maintained to provide for the ongoing upkeep of the church. In addition, an annual distribution is used for general purposes of the mission of the church that would not ordinarily be possible to accomplish through the regular offering. Please consider contributing to the Endowment Fund as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. Gifts such as cash, appreciated securities, real estate and life insurance policies can provide you with immediate tax deductions. Other gifts can provide you with an income for life, and the residual value goes to the church. You may also want to consider a gift through your will or revocable trust, or naming the church as a beneficiary of your retirement assets or investment accounts. Please consult with your financial advisor for more information about these opportunities to support Christ's mission in the world. This Week's Servers - January 22, 2017 Liturgist (9:00a): Ellen Parks (11:00a): Greg Cohen; Audio (9:00a): Mark Sterrett (11:00a): Mike Coomes; PP Presentation: Anne Locke; Prepare Slides: Jane Jones; Hosts: Carol Snyder; Ushers (9:00a): Weldon & Sue Maisch; (11:00a): Bob & Shirley Mendell, Roxane Hincker, Tim Banerjee; Greeters (E): Martiny Family (11:00a): Sandy Gillespie, Lynn Shea; Welcome (9:00a): Dottie Willis (11:00a): Carol Hyatt; Flowers: None Next Week's Servers - January 29, 2017 Liturgist (9:00a): Cathy Hagan (11:00a): John Fischbach; Audio (9:00a): Trent Browne (11:00a): Loren Hincker; PP Presentation: Larry Weishaar; Prepare Slides: Anne Locke; Hosts: Leslie Carmichael; Ushers (9:00a): Greg & Angela Nickels; (11:00a): Dan & Ann Botula, Eddie & Judy Riddle; Greeters (E): Trent & Lynne Browne (11:00a): Marilyn Neel, Marcia Jumblatt; Welcome (9:00a): Cathy Hagan (11:00a): Ed Shadburne; Flowers: None Communion Preparers Schedule Team 1: Marilyn Neel, Mary Pace Team 2: Lynne Browne, Susan Cohen Team 3: Donna Sheffer, Ellen Parks February 5, 2017 - Team 3 March 5, 2017 - Team 1 April 2, 2017 - Team 2 May 7, 2017 - Team 1 June 4, 2017 - Team 2 July 2, 2017 - Team 3 August 6, 2017 - Team 1 September 3, 2017 - Team 2 October 1, 2017 - Team 3 November 5, 2017 - Team 1 December 3, 2017 - Team 2 December 24, 2017 (Christmas Eve, 9pm) - Team 3 January 7, 2018 - Team 1 February 4, 2018 - Team 2 Communion Servers Schedule (11am service) TEAM 1 TEAM 2 TEAM 3 TEAM 4 Angela Nickels Sarah Abraham Tim HaganLora Coomes Greg Nickels Lynne Brown Cathy HaganSusan Cohen Wendy Mullins Barb Link* Marcia JumblattLisa Hebert Bruce Bunger Anne Locke Greg CohenMark Hebert Dayle Darby* Stan Hankins Kenny PritchettMark Holsclaw Loren Hincker George Sherrard* Scott Furkin*David Martin Shannon SwartzentruberCathy Longstreet Debbie Martin*Dennis McNulty Jane Jones Vacant/new installWeldon MaischLeah Link-Ulrich* February 5, 2017 - Team 4 March 5, 2017 - Team 3 April 2, 2017 - Team 2 April 16, 2017 (Easter) - Team 1 May 7, 2017 - Team 4 June 4, 2017 - Team 3 July 2, 2017 - Team 2 August 6, 2017 - Team1 September 3, 2017 - Team 4 October 1, 2017 - Team 3 November 5, 2017 - Team 2 December 3, 2017 - Team 1 December 24, 2017 (Christmas Eve, 9pm) - Team 4 January 7, 2018 - Team 3 February 4, 2018 - Team 2 Click Here to View/Search our Church Calendar for This Week and Beyond
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