DisciplesNet Worship #313, “Different but Undivided” (Russ Smith 07.24.2016)
To watch this worship service on YouTube, click here.
Racism, religious supremacism, fear of the “other” in all kinds of forms are sources of division that have always seemed to tear at the fabric of the Church, the body of Christ—and continue to do so today, sometimes with great viciousness. What is a Christian to do? How are Christians to respond and best share the Gospel with people of the world?
Centuries ago the Apostle Paul had a similar question in mind when he wrote to the Colossians to give his thoughts. In our worship this week we explore these words, with wisdom on how we behave as the church today, so we can be most effective at working where we live as Christ’s disciples.
Our worship today, 26 minutes long includes hymns and songs that we hope you will sing along with, scripture, and prayer. And as we do each week, our closing moments together include a time of communion (breaking of the bread). We invite you to participate if you would like with some type of actual bread and drink you supply, or these elements held in your mind. You may also meditate as we tell of Jesus' invitation to "do this in remembrance of me." All are welcome at our table.
(Scroll down for an Order of Worship)
We hope that as you join us for worship you will feel a blessing from being part. Please tell friends, family, and others you know about our online church that is here with doors that are always open, walls as wide as the world, and always room at the table.
ORDER OF WORSHIP:
1. Opening music, “All Creatures of Our God and King”
2. Welcome: Susan McNeely (with Psalms 121)
3. Opening hymn: “Gather Us In”
4. Pastor’s Prayer with Lord's Prayer: Bob Shaw
5. Song: “They'll Know We are Christians”
6. Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11, Dean Phelps
(Click here for a introduction to the book of Colossians)
7. Message: “Different but Undivided
8. Hymn: “The Gift of Love”
9. Communion: Deb Phelps
10. Hymn: “One Bread, One Body”
11. Sending out
Opening Thumbnail: The Lord's Prayer written in several languages on the Central door of the Glory facade by J.M. Subirachs. Photo by Philip Serracino Inglott, Barcelona Spain
If you would like to chat with one of our pastors, including talking more about belief in God, becoming a Christian or following Christ, or living as a disciple of Christ, please email us at pastor@disciplesnet.org, or contact us using the contact information on our website, www.disciplesnet.org, or our Facebook page, DisciplesNet Church.
Invitation to Giving:
DisciplesNet Church is a not-for-profit church that exists to cross barriers and boundaries to share the Good News of God's redeeming love. We rely on the gifts of our online viewers as we continue to grow and extend our nets around the world.
We have a giving page on our website, disciplesnet.org. And emailing address is: giving@disciplesnet.org
God bless you, and thank you for joining us!
Video editing by Deb Phelps, Russ Smith, Susan McNeely