Snowy Day Worship

Apparently winter isn't done with us yet!  If the snow has kept you away from worship this morning, here's an at-home devotion you can use at home.

Call to Worship Psalm 103:8-13 (CEB)

The LORD is compassionate and merciful,
   very patient, and full of faithful love.
God won’t always play the judge;
   he won’t be angry forever.
He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin
   or repay us according to our wrongdoing,
   because as high as heaven is above the earth,
   that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him.
As far as east is from west—
   that’s how far God has removed our sin from us.
Like a parent feels compassion for their children—
   that’s how the LORD feels compassion for those who honor him.

Opening Song

"Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord" performed by Acapella

Opening Prayer

Loving God, help us to reflect your great compassion and mercy. We confess that we are often quick to judge others, imagining that we hold the moral high ground. We scrutinize and criticize the behavior of those around us while excusing and justifying our own. Help us, in this season of self-reflection, to examine our heart and mind and life, and to offer to you all that needs healing or cleansing, trusting that by your grace we will grow in the love and likeness of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading: John 8:2-11 (NRSV)

Early in the morning Jesus came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” 

Message

"Has No One Condemned You?" (Click here to listen)

Song

"Jesus, Friend of Sinners" performed by Casting Crowns

Reflection

When have others thrown stones at you? How did that feel?

At whom have you thrown stones?

How would releasing your "stones" help to open your hands to better receive God's grace?

Praying

Receive God’s gift of time to be in prayer, offering God any burdens or joys that you are aware of for yourself, others, and the world. Then recite the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples:

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Closing Song

"If We Are the Body" performed by Casting Crowns