3rd Sunday after the Epiphany | January 20, 2021
Just these lines, my friends …
… to say that it was a beautiful day in worship this past Sunday. We interviewed our 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship recipient (Faith Smith from Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church) ,we sang songs of Dr. King and the Black tradition, and we were inspired by fervent prayers (Jill Willis and Pastor Corey). If you will, take the time to watch the entirety of the service and my sermon, Othering. Please click here for the entire service.
A Prayer for our Country
This note is being sent on the day of the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr. I found this prayer and adapted it for our use during these days. Please join me in praying the following prayer for our country.
God of ages, in whom we live and move and have our being,
in your sight nations rise and fall and pass through times of peril.
Now when our land is troubled, we commend our nation to your merciful care.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations
with many different languages a united people.
Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted
with the authority of government
the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it.
Help them remember that they are called to serve the people
as lovers of truth and justice.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart,
that the barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease,
and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us;
through Jesus Christ
who is Lord of this world,
and our Savior.Amen.Adapted from The Book of Common Worship
in your sight nations rise and fall and pass through times of peril.
Now when our land is troubled, we commend our nation to your merciful care.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations
with many different languages a united people.
Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted
with the authority of government
the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it.
Help them remember that they are called to serve the people
as lovers of truth and justice.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart,
that the barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease,
and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us;
through Jesus Christ
who is Lord of this world,
and our Savior.Amen.Adapted from The Book of Common Worship
My Wednesday Devotional
Today’s devotional is titled Unhitched from our Humanity. I hope you’ll watch by clicking here.
Easter Earthquake
In the spring and early summer we are going to embark on a worship series titled Easter Earthquake. In this series we hope to address the difference the resurrection makes in the way we face the critical issues and concerns of our time. So, if you will, please help me by answering the following question: “What are the biggest concerns you have in your life?” I’m so excited to hear about the things you are facing. I think I have a few pretty good ideas, but I’d like it confirmed with your feedback. Please send me a note or give me phone call with your biggest concerns.
Dates to Remember
- Leadership Connection 2021 – All are invited to be with us on Saturday, January 30, 10 am to Noon. Our District Superintendent Rev. David Hockett will be with us. Click here for more info, including the link to join.
- Global Impact Celebration 2021 – Our annual Global Impact Celebration will begin on Sunday, January 31 in all our worship services. This year the theme is Listen Well. We will welcome Guest Speaker Kathy Izard on Sunday, Feb 7 in Worship. She will share a special time with our children in Deep Worship for Families. You are also invited to write Love Notes encouragement to our Local Partners. Let’s plan to “travel” to Rwanda, Kenya & India, Feb 9-11, to learn about our Zoe Empowers Partnership. (Click here to register.) Join for a special Drive-Thru Celebration Sunday, Feb 14 2-3 pm. You are invited to return your Faith and Life Commitment cards, return the Love Notes for local Mission Partners and participate in Holy Communion all from the safety of your car. Click here for more info.
- Who Lynched Willie Earl? – The February 1947 lynching of Willie Earle in Pickens, SC, and the subsequent trial in Greenville, SC, attracted international attention. When an all-white jury exonerated Earle’s confessed killers, it was a national scandal that led to the formation of the nation’s first Civil Rights Commission. On Tuesday, February 16, in a live broadcast, Bishop Will Willimon from Duke University will be with us for our 11th Community Forum on Racial Bridge Building. The topic for the evening: The Carolinas’ Last Lynching. Click here for more info.
- Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, February 17 is the first day of the holy season of Lent.
This Sunday in Worship
Will you join us for online worship this Sunday at 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 (Spanish-speaking).
This week our CCH community will gather for worship at 12:30 pm and begin a new worship series, Unquestionable Authority. Pastor Roldan will be preaching from Matthew 9:14-17 with his message, Keep Your Container Ready.
In our morning services at 9:30 am and 11:00 am, I hope you will gather with your family, light a candle and prepare for worship. This Sunday we will celebrate our amazing partnership with our scouts: Cub Scout Pack 214, Girl Scout Troop 1644, Scouting BSA Troop 139 and Scouting BSA Troop 39. Read about their remarkable year here.
My sermon for Sunday is titled, Engage, Involve and Inspire. You can prepare by reading Isaiah 9:10 and Romans 13:12.
And, as always, during these strange, uncertain, tumultuous and perilous days remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.
Love Loud,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II
Categories
Blessing 20
Change 10
Choices 12
Committment 18
Community 89
Generosity 40
Gratitude 50
Growth 9
Hope 74
Invitation 14
Just These Lines 254
Prayer 24
Service 26
Support 32
Thankful 31
United Kids 19
Worship 83
Youth 12
