Thought for Reflection: "Long, blue, spiky-edged shadows crept out across the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first scarce discernible, gradually deepened and suffused every mountain-top, flushing the glaciers and the harsh crags above them. This was the alpenglow, to me the most impressive of all the terrestrial manifestations of God. At the touch of this divine light, the mountains seemed to kindle to a rapt, religious consciousness, and stood hushed like devout worshippers waiting to be blessed." ― John Muir

Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:12-18 (Page 62); Matthew 17:1-9 (Page 798)

Sermon: We Go to the Mountains

Benediction by Rev. Anna Flowers

Thought For Reflection: "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." ― Oscar Wilde

Scripture Reading Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 (Page 93), Matthew 5:38-48 (Page 786)

Sermon: Love Wins

Benediction by Rev. Anna Flowers

Thought for Reflection: "If each of us could just remember that we are all created in the image of God, then we would naturally want to love more." – Dorothy Day

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (Page 927), Matthew 5:21-37 (Page 786)

Sermon: Getting to the Heart of It

Benediction by Rev. Anna Flowers

Thought For Reflection: Righteous at its root, in Hebrew, the word means 'one whose aim is true.' Kathleen Norris "Amazing Grace."

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (Page 927), Matthew 5:13-20 (Page 786)

Sermon: Do Your Job

Benediction by Rev. Anna Flowers

Communion Prayer: (unison) God of new life, with joy we have received this sacrament of bread and cup, giving you thanks for Jesus Christ, our light, our peace and our hope. Unite your church throughout the world in continuing Christ's ministry of love and servanthood, that your name may be praised in all the earth. Amen

Invocation: We would see Jesus on the mountain teaching, with his disciples listening, gathered round, while birds and flowers and sky above are preaching the blessedness which simple trust has found. So open our eyes and our ears and all our senses to receive your Word and follow where you lead.  Amen.

Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-8 (Page 757), Matthew 5:1-12 (Page 785)

Blessing the Shawls

Sermon: Call Us Blessed (Sermon on the Mount)

Prayer of Dedication followed by the Benediction

As we celebrate the gifts, talents, and resources of God's diverse creation, we affirm the dignity and worth of every person. We open our doors and our hearts to people of every age, mental or physical ability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and economic circumstance. In the spirit of mutual respect, we welcome you to join us in the life of this church community. We trust the words of Jesus: "...anyone who comes to me I will never drive away..." (from the Open and Affirming Statement of United Church in Walpole.)

 

Thought for Reflection: "Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning." -- Louisa May Alcott

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon: Shift Points: Recognizing the Need to Change

Benediction

Thought For Reflection: "Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change

change in our lives." --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-11, John 1:29-42

Sermon Come And See

Benediction

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-9, Matthew 3: 13-17

Sermon: A Spiritual Selfie

Benediction:

Thought for Reflection:

"Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ. It unites the one baptized with Christ and with his people."

~ Faith and Order Paper No. 111, World Council of Churches, Geneva.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 , Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon: The Gifts We Bring

Benediction:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,

when the kings and princes are home,

when the shepherds are back with their flocks,

the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among the people,

to make music in the heart.

~ Howard Thurman

First Lesson Luke 2:1-7

Second Lesson Luke 2:8-14

Third Lesson Luke 2:15-20

Fourth Lesson Matthew 2:1-12

Message For All Ages

Benediction