Worship
Communion Service, Pastors Abner Cotto-Bonilla (left) and Tim Dalton (right)
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We gather each Sunday to worship, learn, and spend time as a faith community
Communion photo © 2017, Sergio Villatoro |
SECOND SUNDAY PRAYER SERVICES
Join us in Wilson House Sunday, March 11, 7pm Sunday, April 8, 7pm Sunday, May 13, 7pm Continues through June 2018 |
May Services
Sunday, May 6, 10:30am
WORSHIP AND COMMUNION
A Command... A Promise... A Warning
Scriptures: Isaiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-17
Jesus’ allegory of the Vine and the Branches is one of his most beloved and revealing teachings. The vine is Jesus, the vine grower is God the Father, and the branches are Jesus’ disciples. Behind this image Jesus is painting was a rich tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures, art and worship liturgy of Israel being God’s vine. In Isaiah 5, we see that Israel is God’s vineyard. Psalm 80 speaks of a vine that God brought out of Egypt and planted in a land that God cleared. Jeremiah laments that this choice vine become wild (Jeremiah 2:21). Hosea goes further and says that this vine has bared fruit to false gods (Hosea 10:1-2). Jeremiah warns that the faithless branches have been stripped away (Jeremiah 5:10) and Ezekiel shouts that the withered stem has been consumed by fire (Ezekiel 10:10-14).
The radical claim by Jesus’ telling of this commonly understood theme was that the truth of the symbolized vine is no longer Israel, but he, himself. The full connect to the Father is now in Jesus. Jesus’ command to “Abide in me” speaks to an intimate personal relationship with Jesus as the distinguishing characteristic in a believer’s life. Taking that step of faith does not go unrewarded, as Jesus makes the promise to those who not only “abide” but who takes Jesus’ words to heart will be transformed in our expectations and be given what we need. The warning speaks to the living of a fruitful life (a disciple) requires discipline. The concern of the allegory is not purity, but fruitfulness, which comes over a lifetime of fruit-bearing. Let Jesus speak to you in this text this week. Where do you need to be pruned? Where do you find joy? Jesus is patiently waiting to bear fruit in you!
Worship songs:
WORSHIP AND COMMUNION
A Command... A Promise... A Warning
Scriptures: Isaiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-17
Jesus’ allegory of the Vine and the Branches is one of his most beloved and revealing teachings. The vine is Jesus, the vine grower is God the Father, and the branches are Jesus’ disciples. Behind this image Jesus is painting was a rich tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures, art and worship liturgy of Israel being God’s vine. In Isaiah 5, we see that Israel is God’s vineyard. Psalm 80 speaks of a vine that God brought out of Egypt and planted in a land that God cleared. Jeremiah laments that this choice vine become wild (Jeremiah 2:21). Hosea goes further and says that this vine has bared fruit to false gods (Hosea 10:1-2). Jeremiah warns that the faithless branches have been stripped away (Jeremiah 5:10) and Ezekiel shouts that the withered stem has been consumed by fire (Ezekiel 10:10-14).
The radical claim by Jesus’ telling of this commonly understood theme was that the truth of the symbolized vine is no longer Israel, but he, himself. The full connect to the Father is now in Jesus. Jesus’ command to “Abide in me” speaks to an intimate personal relationship with Jesus as the distinguishing characteristic in a believer’s life. Taking that step of faith does not go unrewarded, as Jesus makes the promise to those who not only “abide” but who takes Jesus’ words to heart will be transformed in our expectations and be given what we need. The warning speaks to the living of a fruitful life (a disciple) requires discipline. The concern of the allegory is not purity, but fruitfulness, which comes over a lifetime of fruit-bearing. Let Jesus speak to you in this text this week. Where do you need to be pruned? Where do you find joy? Jesus is patiently waiting to bear fruit in you!
Worship songs:
Sunday, May 13, 10:30am
WORSHIP SERVICE
The “Great Unconcealer”
Scriptures: Psalm 139:1-18, John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
As we celebrate the lives of mothers and women who have been mother figures to us, we look at the passage in John where Jesus speaks of when the “Spirit of truth comes.” (John 16:13) This phrase in the Greek is “Alētheia,” which means “unconcealing” or uncovering that requires an effort on our part to engage and be open to learning the mysteries of truth. Like a good mother, God accompanies their child to create a safe space for exploration, discovery and growth. Come and learn of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Great Unconcealer of truth. One who strives to discover what matters most in life finds the answer to this struggle for meaning in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is not with us now, but left His Spirit of truth who guides each generation along the way to uncover beauty, goodness and truth in life and teaches us to find God along the way. To see life and Jesus taught us to see it and bring glory to God.
Worship songs:
WORSHIP SERVICE
The “Great Unconcealer”
Scriptures: Psalm 139:1-18, John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
As we celebrate the lives of mothers and women who have been mother figures to us, we look at the passage in John where Jesus speaks of when the “Spirit of truth comes.” (John 16:13) This phrase in the Greek is “Alētheia,” which means “unconcealing” or uncovering that requires an effort on our part to engage and be open to learning the mysteries of truth. Like a good mother, God accompanies their child to create a safe space for exploration, discovery and growth. Come and learn of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Great Unconcealer of truth. One who strives to discover what matters most in life finds the answer to this struggle for meaning in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is not with us now, but left His Spirit of truth who guides each generation along the way to uncover beauty, goodness and truth in life and teaches us to find God along the way. To see life and Jesus taught us to see it and bring glory to God.
Worship songs:
Sunday, May 20, 10:30am
COMBINED SERVICE WITH MISIÓN BAUTISTA
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Scriptures: Acts 2:1-21
Join us this Pentecost Sunday for a combined worship service with our friends from Misión Bautista! Pastor Tim and Pastor Abner will be delivering a powerful message about the role of the Holy Spirit and unity among believers. Ice cream will be served outside following the service!
COMBINED SERVICE WITH MISIÓN BAUTISTA
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Scriptures: Acts 2:1-21
Join us this Pentecost Sunday for a combined worship service with our friends from Misión Bautista! Pastor Tim and Pastor Abner will be delivering a powerful message about the role of the Holy Spirit and unity among believers. Ice cream will be served outside following the service!
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Sunday, May 27, 10:30am
Guest Speaker: Rev. Fela Barrueto By Night... For a Reason Scriptures: John 3:1-21 Rev. Fela Barrueto was born and raised in Lima, Perú. She currently lives in Fresh Meadows, NY, and works for the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, as the National Coordinator for Prisoner Reentry/Immigration and Refugees Ministries. In 2004, she received her Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Seminary). She was ordained to ministry in January 2011, and her main goal is to be an instrument of peace and justice, especially for the ever growing prison population and their families, as well as those marginalized and destitute. Worship songs: |
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