https://vimeo.com/452440461

This week we have a guest musician: Roni Yadao (a friend of Robert Smith) she will be playing and singing “Rise Up” by Andra Day at the Anthem and “Country Roads” by John Denver for the Postlude.

Following the welcome and prayer an old spiritual – “Wade In the Water.”  This is an old song sung in the 1860’s that has Biblical illusions – Moses leading the Israelites through the water and the pool of Bethsaida (John 5) where Jesus healed a paralytic because he couldn’t get in the troubled water by himself.  It is also a direction for runaway slaves – wading in the water meant the dogs they used to track them down would have a lot more trouble.

Martha Campbell shares the announcements and prayer concerns for:
Bill Loesch’s father has returned to the Highlands and is under comfort hospice.
Dustin Paddock is on his way to New Jersey for the memorial service of his mother, Judy Donovan, who died suddenly.
Bruce Buegler who is awaiting word of heart surgery – for both valve and artery improvement.
Lauren Clark has asked for prayers as her extended family mourns the death of Mark Lehman (a brother-in-law) who suddenly died in his sleep of heart a attack at age 39.  Prayers especially for his wife Megan and 1-year-old daughter, Nora.
Massive flooding in Louisiana and China – impacting hundreds of thousands of people.

Martha then leads us in a responsive reading, the prayer of Illumination and reads the scripture lesson.

We are starting a new series today, FAITH, RACE, GRACE & PLACE.  In the midst of a world wide pandemic, our country is also struggling with issues of race and racism.  We have been struggling with it for a very long time – and not doing a very good job.  Back in June, just after the death of George Floyd, rather than put out a statement our session decided to study the issue ourselves: to try to understand and change the problems we have.  We have met every week.  It hasn’t been easy.  But I am so glad that didn’t just put out a statement that wouldn’t do anything.  I believe we are in a better place, a better understanding, a better position to encourage effective change – and we will be sharing this with the congregation during the month of September.  (A Zoom panel discussion on Sept. 13, some resources to read will be shared, then a congregational Zoom meeting on Sept. 27.)

Robert Smith continues to direct and film our services.  We are very grateful for the great video of our worship service today.