Sunday, December 31, 10:45 am Sermon Title: Your Kingdom Come Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13
Wednesday, January 3, 7:00 pm Starting 21 Days of Prayer Fellowship Cafe or Zoom
Sunday, January 7, 10:45 am Sermon Title: Known Among Friends Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17 Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 pm Celebrating 21 Days of Prayer Fellowship Cafe or Zoom 21 Days of Prayer
Join us as we pray our way into 2024, asking God to show us his priorities. We will be guided through this by understanding Jesus’ priorities as revealed by his teachings and life. You can download the guide here, email Bernadette at the church office or pick up a physical copy at church. Here is a list of the days and scriptures that will prompt our prayers. The guide has additional thoughts and prompts for each day from pastor and author Dana Olson.
Week & Date: 49 – 2023 12 03 Sermon Title: Hope of the World Advent Reading (Call to Worship): Isaiah 9:2,6-7 Missionary Spotlight / Visitor: Martha and Peter Lester Bible Project Video: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/yakhal-hope/ Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-7,11-14 Sermon Video: https://youtube.com/live/YtiQJJvmiv4 Response Category: Praise and Carols Big Idea: Today, as then, we find our Hope, Today we find Jesus. Benediction:
May Christ, the Hope of the World, dwell richly in you. May the light of his truth illuminate darkened corridors of dread and fear. May the warmth of his love thaw hearts hardened by fridge violence and neglect. May the gentle embrace of his promises strengthen your arms to shelter the vulnerable. May our Hope spread His blessing to all our neighbors and all the nations. Amen and Amen.
Week & Date: 50 – 2023 12 10 Sermon Title: Peace for the World Advent Reading (Call to Worship): Isaiah 11:1-10 Bible Project Video: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/shalom-peace/ Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 85:1-13 Sermon Video: https://youtube.com/live/UsQ89Rbd-Vg Response Category: Praise and Carols Big Idea: The Peace of God generates the reconciliation our souls need Benediction:
Peace be on you and those we love Peace before you gently resting on strangers near Peace behind you left for neighbors most dear Peace within you, may God’s Spirit move
Week & Date: 51 – 2023 12 17 Sermon Title: Joy in the World Advent Reading (Call to Worship): Isaiah 12:1-6 Bible Project Video: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chara-joy/ Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 126:1-6 Response Category: Praise and Carols Big Idea: Our stories written with Jesus as our protagonist ring with Joy even in chapters of difficulty and suffering. Benediction:
(Romans 15:13a -) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him… Write your joy using the ink of your waking hours. Weave within your joy the scarlet thread of Jesus’ friendship Recount the joy of our salvation into every hollow space of life Echo joy against canyons carved by grief or doubt or suffering Paint joy over exits of harm and entrances of comfort Shout your joy at midday sun and whisper our joy to evening moon (Romans 15:13b -) … May you overflow with hope [peace and joy] by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Week & Date: 52 – 2023 12 24 Sermon Title: Love for the World Advent Reading (Call to Worship): Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Bible Project Video: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/agape-love/ Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 89:1-8 Benediction: Response Category: Praise and Carols Big Idea:
This is a brainstorming note for developing possible Advent sermon series for future years (2023 and beyond). Advent series have either 4 or 5 messages typically. For us it’s has been four services since we do a Lessons and Carols service on the Sunday just after (or on) Christmas day. This year Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday and the following Sunday will be New Years Eve. We don’t have Christmas day or New Years day services at this point. It also happens to be the case that the Sunday before Advent traditionally starts is an open Sunday for us as our Ephesians Series should end the week prior. This simply means we could start Advent messages a week early if we want, or we can do a Thankfulness focused Sunday since the final Sunday in November falls after Thanksgiving.
Advent Series Ideas:
Jesus son of:
Adam and Eve
Abraham and Sarah
David and Bathsheba
Joseph and Mary
God the Father by the Holy Spirit
Jesus’ Relationships:
Jesus’ mothers
Jesus’ fathers
Jesus’ aunts and uncles
Jesus’ brothers and sisters
Jesus’ friends
Love, Joy, Peace, Hope:
Bible project video
Christ brings ________ , We spread ________
Passage from early chapters of Gospels + one from epistles or OT
Foretold: Prophesies and Principles from
Torah / Pentateuch
History Books
Wisdom Litt
Prophets
Messianic roles:
Priest
Prophet
Judge
King
Firstborn:
Cain – Worship corrupted / stolen
Ishmael – Covenant corrupted / stolen
Esau – Inheritance corrupted / stolen
Absalom – Coronation corrupted / stolen
Jesus – Worship, Covenant, Inheritance, Coronation competed / shared
Date: 2017 04 30 – Eph 1:3-14 Sermon Title: Heaven Touches Earth Big Idea: In Christ, heavenly blessings become earthly realities.
Date: 2022 11 13 – Eph 1:15-23 Sermon Title: A Growing Church Big Idea: Jesus establishes, directs, and protects his church
Date: 2022 11 20 – Eph 2:1-10 Sermon Title: A Grace Giving Church Big Idea: Grace is God raising you from spiritual death into life with Jesus Critical Concept: Grace is not an energy (Orthodox) nor is grace a currency (Catholic), rather grace is a position in Christ.
Date: 2019 09 08 – Eph 2:11-22 Sermon Title: Sharing Peace Big Idea: We are ambassadors of Christ’s peace.
Date: 2026 01 11 – Eph 3:1-13 Sermon Title: We are Missional Big Idea: The gospel mystery includes all who believe.
Date: 2021 10 31 – Eph 4:1-16 Sermon Title: Deep Unity Big Idea: Actual Unity in Christ brings humility, patience, and love-filled action.
Date: 2023 10 29 – Eph 4:17-5:2 Sermon Title: A Renewed Life (video) Big Idea: Walking in the truth means choosing to build up rather than destroy.
Date: 2023 11 05 – Eph 5:1-20 Sermon Title: Renewed Practices (video) Big Idea: As we walk wisely, our lifestyles become Christ’s light in dark places.
Date: 2023 11 12 – Eph 5:21-6:4 Sermon Title: Renewed Relationships (video) Big Idea: Walk together by submitting to one another with Christ as our example.
Date: 2023 11 20 – Eph 6:10-6:20 Sermon Title: A Renewed Spirit (video) Main Scripture Reading: Eph 6:10-6:20 Big Idea:Stand….
Date: 2023 11 26 – Eph 6:5-9, 6:21-23 Sermon Title: A Renewed Freedom (video) Main Scripture Reading: Eph 6:5-9, 6:21-23 Big Idea:
Week & Date: 22 – 2023 05 28 PENTECOST. Preacher – Johnny Weng Sermon Title: One Spirit Many Nations Call to Worship: Acts 2:32 – 36 Main Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-8, 14-21 Benediction: Acts 2:38 – 41 Response Category: Praise Big Idea: Online Sermon:
Extra Elements to cover:
[ ] Welcome – Maricris M
[ ] Call to Worship – Steven Chen
[ ] Return from Fellowship – Bob Rainford
[ ] Scripture Reader – Bob Rainford
[ ] Prayer for Offering – Steven Wang
[ ] Benediction Reader – Bob Rainford
[ ] Dismiss from Church – Bob Rainford
WELCOME: Good morning! (Pause). Welcome to worship this morning. We are glad you are here with us. Thank you for being here on time. Welcome to those joining us online as well. We gather together on Sundays to worship our God together. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Three-in-one. He is the One, Holy and Powerful God who spoke the universe into existence. Let’s join in pray as we enter into worship. Lord God, we come to worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Send your Spirit on your church with fresh wind and the fire of your holiness. May our tongues lift your glorious praise. May our heart stir with your love and grace for all the nations, tribes, languages, and cultures that you have sent your Son to call into your great expanding family. We come to worship you alone. Guide us this morning we pray. In Jesus Name, Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Our Call to Worship comes from Acts chapter two verses 32 through 36. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
RETURN FROM FELLOWSHIP: As we continue (pause for people to settle a bit) As we continue to our fellowship with each other and with our God, we will hear from God’s word.
SCRIPTURE READING: Our Scripture Reading for today comes from Acts chapter 2 also, beginning in verse 1 continuing to verse 8 and then jumping to verses 14 through 21. This can be found on page ______ in the Bibles before you.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
Skipping to verse 14…
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
PRAYER FOR OFFERING: As the ushers come forward, let’s pray for our offering. (Wait until ushers get up to the front of the aisle.) Lord God, we praise you for all that you are and thank you for all that you have given us. Father, bless our offering today and use it to bring the Gospel of Jesus to the nations by your Holy Spirit. May our entire lives be a holy and acceptable sacrifice of worship to you, and bless this our tithe. In the name of the Son, Jesus. Amen
BENEDICTION: Acts 2:38-41 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
DISMISS FROM CHURCH: Thank you for joining us today for worship. We hope you’ll join us for a time of fellowship in our fellowship cafe. And we will see you next week. You are dismissed.
Written before 2019 I suspect and then revisited and corrected in late December, 2020.
On Repeat. I listen to music often. My close friends and family would say I often listen to a single song on continuous repeat, for hours. I used to argue that this is not typical for me, but the frequency matters little. Evidently I’m unusual in this. I can own this. In an effort to expose my feelings and my inner thoughts to my family (most importantly) and friends, I thought I’d share what I’m listening to, “on repeat” and what I’m day dreaming about while the notes and words are settling into my soul.
The song I came across today, I hadn’t noticed before. If I’d heard it, I had not paid it any attention. I don’t know anything about the artist, author, or the scope of their other music. The title “On The Frame” appears obliquely in the song’s lyrics. The stories teller, presumably a parent, recounts inscribing the listener’s name on “the door”, a door frame they imagine the child might someday return to, adding names of their children. It is basically a song about generations and the brevity of life. Here are the lyrics (right justified) and my thoughts (left justified) and a link to the song at the bottom of the post.
Can you hear me Father John Have you lost what you believe? What’s the matter? What’s the meaning when nothings as it seems? Sit down at the table now there’s reason there’s reprieve (You would never know it) Even those who are yet to go are sharers in your grief
The singer addresses his father first. At first listen, he appears a priest, but I think not necessarily. His father, John, hard of hearing, losing mastery of his senses is finding “nothing is as it seems”. His beliefs on meaning, on what matters seem illusive now. I knew an old man named Mike who looked a bit like Santa Claus. He always would greet me loudly across the street or parking lot, saying, “Hello Pastor! What do you know?” From the first time he did that until the last time I saw him, (and without any hesitation) I responded with the same phrase which I assume I inherited from my father. “Less and less, Mike. Less and less.” Friends I’ve had nearing the end of their lives have almost universally expressed versions of this feeling. Certainty and clarity become more and more elusive and as the body and mind betray us. There is a real grief surrounding these losses. In the song, the father is invited to sit and encouraged that a reprieve from the confusion and struggle would come and that he was not alone in his aging experience. Those who are “yet to go” are not so far behind.
Cuz in a little while When all will be over Gonna say goodbye Go and get your closure In 100 years When you’re just a haze on the water And then when it clears It’s another’s turn to discover But you know You’ll have to let go Like you
As the singer contemplates his father’s passing with him, as the teacher of Ecclesiastes investigates, he imagines the time beyond anyone’s memory of him. The inevitable closure will come to generations far into the future, and they too will have to learn to let go, which is what John is having to do now. His time. Each and every person will have their time to let go. John’s time is prescient for Caleb, his grandson.
Can you hear me Caleb on The morning when you came It was me who wrote onto the wooden door your name It’ll last there longer than this body can stay (Cuz we all will be lonely) If you ever return again Write another’s on the frame
In my hearing of the song, Caleb is the story-teller’s son. I imagine the door frame marking refers to the same practice we have of marking our boy’s heights on a door frame. Their names with dates mark out growth and time until they reach full height. He imagines perhaps his son will one day “return again” and with the home becoming his own, marking the frame with his own son or daughter’s name, growth, and life. And then the chorus sings to the son the same story he shared with his father.
Cuz in a little while When all will be over Gonna say goodbye Go and get your closure In 100 years When you’re just a haze on the water And then when it clears It’s another’s turn to discover But you know You’ll have to let go Like you
As I review the song in my mind I imagine an old man’s hand release as his last breathe escapes. The arm falls to the side of the bed and an object escapes to the ground, rolling dramatically across the floor. I realize this is cinematic, not realistic, but you dared to enter my daydream. I struggled to think about what would John be holding on to? What thing would symbolize something that he wanted with him, that he clung to, even in his aged, wretched, naked final hours? When I finally saw what he had in his hand, I cried a bit. I was walking home and conveniently, it was raining, not that anyone would notice anyways. I think I’ll share what I saw with my wife and boys. I hope that this discovery is a deeper part of who I am that I can share with them.
** Afternote: Ok, I’m still listening. It’s been about 4 and a half hours. (That’s not even close to very long for me if you are wondering.) One last thought. The song clearly is written by a young father as he’s referencing first marking the door frame and the implications are his son is young. The other evidence of this just struck me. The only direct reference to his own mortality is the single line, “It’ll last there longer than this body can stay” and other than that mortality almost skips a generation. He’s reflecting on it philosophically like a man in his 30s, not practically like a man in his late 40s or 50s.
This sermon series developed by Pastor Cedrick Brown at the Eastern District for churches desiring to focus on the core aspects of being a church full of vitality. (To be transparent, Pastor Brown developed a sermon series with several resources for churches. We used the graphic, the sermon texts, modified sermon titles, and the order of the eight sermons. The below sermons based on those texts were crafted by Chris Hooper specifically for First Free Brooklyn.)
Week & Date: F36 – 2023 09 03 – Vitality 1 Sermon Title: Driven By A Commission Main Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 Response Category: Praise – Resurrection Big Idea: Find renewed vitality by being a person who is driven by something greater than yourself. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/wGVJuXyeB5Y
Week & Date: F37 – 2023 09 10 – Vitality 2 Sermon Title: Prayer Is An Always Thing Main Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19 Response Category: Big Idea: When prayer becomes an always thing, your relationship with God will find revitalized life and it will affect everything. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/4NLS7A2a49M
Week & Date: F38 – 2023 09 17 – Vitality 3 Sermon Title: Keeping The Right Center Main Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Response Category: Big Idea: Keep God’s Word central which helps strengthen you and helps you and the Body continue growing. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/ljzaxhBrZQ4
Week & Date: F39 – 2023 09 24 – Vitality 4 Sermon Title: The High Impact Response Main Scripture Reading: John 4:21-24 Response Category: Big Idea: When we gather together the natural outpouring of a people in love with God is impactful and inspirational worship Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/A9X8UWlvq-8
Week & Date: F40 – 2023 10 01 – Vitality 5 Sermon Title: Lead Well Main Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 Response Category: Big Idea: The call to lead is a call to serve as healthy leaders looking out for and caring for God’s people. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/c2nbEzL9AIM
Week & Date: F41 – 2023 10 08 – Vitality 6 Sermon Title: You Are Loved Here. Main Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:15-22; John 13:34-35 Response Category: Big Idea: Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/NcHMQGIrEfg
Week & Date: F42 – 2023 10 15 – Vitality 7 Sermon Title: Live Generously Main Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-13, 9:1-15 Response Category: Big Idea: God is a generous God who calls us to live generously. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/RQQQO9cJGVI
Week & Date: F43 – 2023 10 22 – Vitality 8 Sermon Title: Reproducing Life Main Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 Response Category: Big Idea: Healthy churches and individuals reproduce healthy churches while causing healthy growth in others. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/XnB-LQryLwE
Through this series we are doing two unique things. First, our Call to Worship times will be different every week, but will intentionally reference the three members of the Trinity. This has been a regular part of our welcome time, but we will have it shifted to the Call to Worship, which typically is also early in the service and it will be read by a worship team member most weeks. Second, we are going to use one Benediction for September (four weeks in a row) and another Benediction for October. These will be read by different readers each week, but this will allow us to become familiar with the contents of each.
September Benediction: So now we leave this space of worship And while so much of the road ahead is uncertain, the path constantly changing, we know some things that are as solid and sure as the ground beneath our feet, and the sky above our heads. We know God is love. We know Christ’s light endures. We know the Holy Spirit is there, found in the space between all things, closer to us than our next breath, binding us to each other, until we meet we again, Go in peace.
October Benediction: Go out into the world in peace, and in Christ’s name be – the humble, who make others proud the poor, who have riches to share the weak, who help others be strong the empty, who overflow with loving kindness. And the love of God, the grace of Christ Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Amen.
Week & Date: E32 – 2023 08 06 – Psalm 3 & 4 Sermon Title: Finding Rest Call to Worship: Psalm 3 Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 4 Response Category: Praise Big Idea: The Power of Our Prayers is rooted in Jesus whom we trust for restoration and rest. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/WLMY6GPrviA
Week & Date: E33 – 2023 08 13 – Psalm 5 Sermon Title: Finding Refuge Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 5 Response Category: Submission Big Idea: God is our safe refuge to whom we share every fear and concern. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/cQ5L9bjlK00
Week & Date: E34 – 2023 08 20 – Psalm 6 Sermon Title: Finding Repentance Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 6 Response Category: Confession Big Idea: Repentance is the gift God uses to turn us back to Jesus’ path. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/hlTXcv7gmpg
Week & Date: E35 – 2023 08 27 – Psalm 7 Sermon Title: Finding Righteousness Main Scripture Reading: Psalm 7:8-17 Response Category: Affirmation (God’s righteousness gracefully given us through Jesus) Big Idea: God secures justice and hears our prayers for our world. Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/Nth0QusP2bU
In hindsight, I might have renamed this short series “God’s Good Gifts” or “Resting in God’s Goodness” or something and then had each sermon be titled: The Gift of …. with the four topics being Rest, Refuge, Repentance and Righteousness. But the “Finding” idea was close.
