Lesson: Philippians 2:1-13
Message: Saved From What?
This week I’ve decided to stray from the Gospel readings for a week in favor of a passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. When I read anything from this particular letter I find it helpful to remember that Paul was writing from a prison cell. The work of collecting people for the sake of, what was then called “The Way,” with the ultimate purpose of maintaining courage to love specifically under the threat of Rome and her supporters, seems not so different from much of what we’re seeing happening around the world.
In this letter, Paul calls the people of the church to “be of one mind” and then to “work out your own salvation in fear and trembling.” I wonder, what does the term “salvation” mean to you? What does it mean to US as a faithful community? AND… how will being “of one mind” get us there? In a world where we are all looking for “saving,” I’m looking forward to thinking through OUR work towards salvation in the name of Love!
A couple of community notes:
** THIS SUNDAY!! Join us after worship for BBQ! We’ll be celebrating the partnership between UPA and Chaplains on the Way all while Q-ing up the burgers and dogs!
** NEXT SUNDAY is our BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS! Worship will be intergenerational (no Sunday School) and themed around God’s love for all of creation. You are welcome to bring your people/animal friendly pets to worship (we trust your judgment on this!) We will bless the animals after church outside (so those of us with not so people/animal friendly pets can go home and come back with our babies.
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Cheryl
Music:
Prelude: “Jesus, meine freude – Christ the hallowed” Johann Crüger
Anthem: “In Remembrance” Buryl Red
Meditation: “Acceptance” John Ness Beck
Postlude: “Foundation” trad. U.S. melody
Live Stream Information
We will continue streaming our worship on both Zoom and Facebook Live. Please share these links with your friends. Bear in mind that we cannot share the Zoom links publicly (to keep from being Zoom bombed), so please share it person to person rather than posting it on Facebook/Twitter, or other public social media. It’s fine to share the Facebook link broadly and publicly. For Zoom login information please reach out to Pastor Cheryl at cherly@newtonchurch.org.
Note: that we continue to work on streaming as we make improvements to the sanctuary sound system.
Zoom Link: UPA Sunday Morning Worship
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81334929545?pwd=S1lsRlRmSnlkTUE0cHRlWWQwWUJndz09
Facebook Livestream Link: https://www.facebook.com/upanewtonma/live