“PRIDE 2020,” Susan Ryder

 Psalm 139:13-14
For it was you who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Galatians 3:28
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Lady Gaga
I’m beautiful in my way
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way [Read more…]

“Beyond Shame to Compassion,” Bob Ryder

READINGS
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus was passing through Jericho, where lived a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax-collector, and wealthy. Zacchaeus was trying to see Jesus as he passed by, but being short in stature he couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view as Jesus’ passed that way. When Jesus came to the spot, he looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; I must stay at your house today.’ Zacchaeus did hurry down and was happy to welcome Jesus. Those who saw it criticized Jesus, complaining, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ While they were together, Zacchaeus said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house. You also are a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.’

Maya Angelou – “Do the best you can with what you know. When you know better, do better.” [Read more…]

“Stay Woke,” Susan Ryder

Mark 14:32-41: They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. [Read more…]

“For What it’s Worth,” Bob Ryder

So, Susan and I have been off for a couple weeks – what’d we miss?  Kidding – obviously.  No way could we have missed the news about the murder of George Floyd and the worldwide protests and social unrest erupting in its wake.  Even before we got back, it was obvious this would be the focus of our service this morning, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what to say. [Read more…]

REFLECTION – “Love is Thicker Than Water,” Susan Ryder

 Our first reading is a poem written by Miller Williams, who was a white civil rights activist, poet, and professor of English and foreign languages at the University of Arkansas. Williams delivered the poem, “Of History and Hope,” at Bill Clinton’s second inauguration. He was close friends with George Haley – brother of Alex Haley – who was appointed to be ambassador to The Gambia in 1998, where his ancestor Kunta Kinte, was from. [Read more…]

Here are the elements from our service this morning – May 3, 2020 [Read more…]

Here are some of the elements from our service this morning – April 26, 2020 (Poetry Sunday. [Read more…]

Here are the elements of our worship service today – April 19, 2020 – where we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. [Read more…]

Here are elements from our online service Easter Sunday, 2020. [Read more…]

Here are the elements of our Palm Sunday Worship Service – April 5, 2020 [Read more…]