Sunday, May 12, 2024

Pulpit Supply:

Rev. Shealy had a prior committment to preach elsewhere this week. In his place, we have the pleasure of welcoming Rev. Deborah Foster to St. Andrews. The Reverend Deborah Foster currently serves as the Prebytery Leader and Stated Clerk of the Foothills Presbytery. From Charlotte, she is a graduate of Presbyterian College (BA in Religion/Christian Education), and Erskine Theological Seminary (Masters of Arts in Christian Education and Masters of Divinity). She has more than thirty-six years in ministry, including work in coahing and consulting. Debbie lives in Anderson, SC with her husband, Traverse.

Theme:

Have you met the woman who sits at the temple gate (mentioned toward the end of Mark chapter 12)? We don’t know her name, but we know she is a widow, which means she has no assurance that she will have enough to live each day. Yet, she shared what little she had. Why? Why, just why, did she with less than give without reservation all she had to live on?

Reflections:

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Introit: Our Introit is a paraphrase of Psalm 118, on which our Call to Worship is based. The author/composer incorporated elements of his native Argentenian culture.

Opening Hymn: “I’ll Praise our Maker”, this paraphrase of Psalm 146 (the first of our two scriptures today) was a favorite of Charles Wesley and appeared in his first collection of hymns published in 1737 in Charleston, SC.

Transition Hymn: For the month of May, we will sing “We Give Thanks unto You” as our Transition Hymn.

Special Music: “Love Divine”, by John Carter.

Responsive Hymn: As a whole, “When the Poor Ones” draws on Christ’s parable about his presence. The first verse ties in nicely with our scripture from Mark. “When the poor ones who have nothing share with strangers, when the thirsty water give unto us all…”

Sending Hymn: No direct reference to our scripture, but this hymn of dedication and stewardship speaks of giving of our whole lives in response to God’s goodness.

Benediction: Throughout the Easter season, we will sing the first verse of “Christ Is Alive!” as our benediction.