Roller Coaster Emotions (click here)

Welcome
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Call to Worship (Psalm 131:1-3)


Opening Prayers
Holy and loving One, God of might and mercy,
The heavens and the earth are full of your glory.
Your love transforms our lives.
You take darkness and give light.
You take grief and give healing.
You take fatigue and give strength.
You take fear and give courage.
You take death and give new life.
So we come before you in worship,
handing over to you all that weighs us down,
waiting for your refreshing gifts. (In Christ we pray, Amen)

Today we lay before the burden of our guilt and sin,
We lay before your throne of grace,
The sin of not loving others
as you have shown us to do in Christ.
The sin of not taking advantage of opportunities
to care, serve, bless, and witness to the hope
that you have given to us in Christ.
We confess the moments this week
when we have not been honest with you, with others and ourselves in how we are feeling
Forgive us when we have not acknowledged our need
for your and others grace, love, hope and strength.
Forgive us when have been foolish and not reached out for help and support.
We lay before you now in silence the specific burdens we carry today.

Remind us there is nothing in all creation
that can separate us from you through Christ,
who lived, died and rose again to keep us close to you.
Renew us in this time of worship, we pray,
so that we may serve you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: You are my all in all

Prayer for Understanding
God ever present,
yet ever new, guide us by your Word and Spirit,
so that in your light, we may see clearly what you call us to do.
In your truth, may we know how best to follow you,
and in doing so, find true peace through Christ, your living Word.
Amen.

Scripture
Psalm 13:1-6 A prayer for deliverance from one’s enemies

John 11:28-37 Jesus weeps at death of his friend Lazarus

Sermon: Roller Coaster Emotions

How many of you like roller coasters? I have had moments in my life when I couldn’t wait to try the newest and most thrilling ride going. The adventure of breathless drops, unexpected turns, thrilling hair messing loops, all of it ending way too soon. At the end of the ride, we normally would find ourselves getting back in line to ride again.

One year Elias and his uncle Dane managed to ride Space Mountain at Disneyland 6 times in an hour. I lasted for only four. When my kids were younger, I wondered why my mother did not ride with us anymore. I understand that now.

These days I have come to associate Roller Coasters more with the emotional journeys we take in life and not with the rides of my youth. Although a good roller coaster still has a certain appeal to me.

Kathy and I were talking one night at dinner at how much of an emotional roller coaster ride the past months have been. In talking to each other about our responses to the pandemic and what we have observed in other. We concluded that we are grieving in different ways the loss of something or someone that is leading to various kinds of behavior both wise and foolish.

We have experienced the loss of the “pre-Covid normal,” the disruption of relationships and the addition social distancing, the loss of or the changes in the patterns of work, school, recreation, socializing, volunteering.

We have experienced the loss of the freedom of just leaving your house to do whatever without having to think about bringing a mask, sanitizer with you and the risks now associated with normal events.

Many of have experienced the death of loved ones and the pandemic has made arranging the funerals more difficult. We are all grieving in this time. We are experiencing the same Covid storm, but we are in riding it out in different boats.

The standard for looking at grief for over 50 years has been to look at the research of the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her book “On death and dying.”
Here Dr. Kubler-Ross identified stages, which she later changed to phases or aspects of grief because they don’t always occur one after the other in a straight line, but we experience them in different ways, intensities, and times.

The stages or phases of grief in her research are 1) Denial, 2) Anger, 3) Bargaining, 4) Depression,
5) Acceptance.

Others have gone to expand Dr. Kubler-Ross five phases to seven phases. When I read them see how many you have experienced?
1) Shock and denial. This is a state of disbelief and numbed feelings.

2) Pain and guilt. You may feel that the loss is unbearable and that you’re making other people’s lives harder because of your feelings and needs.

3) Anger and bargaining. You may lash out, telling God or a higher power that you’ll do anything they ask if they’ll only grant you relief from these feelings.

4) Depression. This may be a period of isolation and loneliness during which you process and reflect on the loss.

5) The upward turn. At this point, the stages of grief like anger and pain have died down, and you’re left in a more calm and relaxed state.

6) Reconstruction and working through. You can begin to put the pieces of your life back together and carry forward.

7) Acceptance and hope. This is a very gradual acceptance of the new way of life and a feeling of possibility in the future.
(source: https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-grief

I suspect we could go the list of phases and identify people who we know who are experiences those phases of grief. And if you are honest, you could point to the different phases you have experienced this week and even today.

At the start of the grieving process that intensity of each phase is greater and with time the intensity lessons until we reach some sort acceptance, or may be more accurately a co-existence with our loss.

When you read through the Gospels, you find these stages of grief and loss demonstrated by Jesus and by others. For example, Jesus weeps over the death of his friend Lazarus in in John 11. Jesus weeps and laments for the city of Jerusalem because they did not recognize and respond to his person and ministry.

There is certainly shock demonstrated by Jesus when Peter rebukes Jesus for announcing that he will suffer and die in order to accomplish God’s mission.

Jesus becomes angry and lashes out at merchants in the temple who are selling in an area of the temple set aside for Gentile worshippers. Jesus is also angry that the business people who over charging poor worshippers who can barely afford the sacrifices they need for worship.

Jesus seems depressed or unhappy when the disciples don’t understand the way to greatness in the Kingdom is by service to each other and the world. There is depression expressed from Jesus from the cross when He cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
Jesus’ prayerful wrestling match with God in the Garden of Gethsemane to remove the cup of suffering from Him, could be seen as Jesus bargaining with God. The prayer ends with Jesus accepting his calling to go to the cross. This certainly allowed Jesus to care for his family and the repentant thief while suffering on the cross.

Jesus demonstrates the kind of honesty with his emotions and losses that are quite amazing. He demonstrates his humanity and honesty with God and with us so we can relate to him and to God as well. I find that equally comforting, freeing and motivating all at the same time. If Jesus can do this, then why don’t I trust God enough to do the same?

When one reads through the Psalms you find the authors of them freely expressing the pain, frustration, anger, shock, praises to God over various circumstances and losses of life. The language they use to express to their feelings to God is shocking in its honesty and intensity. That’s why I love the Psalms so much.

Honesty with God is a priority and virtue for them that helps them to connect with God and to find relief in the midst of their losses and circumstances. They express the various phases of grief so freely.

You hear their shock, anxiety, loss, anger, depression, hopelessness, as well as their praise, thanks, and hope expressed to God. Sometimes words of anxiety and anger are spoke right alongside words of hope and praise. The various Psalms enable us to express how we feel to God in the midst of the various losses and grief we feel every day.

Shouting our anger at God or acknowledging our anxiety and depression to God, will not completely fill the losses we feel at this time, but they do move us closer to the point of accepting the things we cannot change, of motivating us to change the things we can and to have the wisdom to know the difference as the wonderful Serenity prayer helps us to do.

The grieving process is always a marathon and never a sprint. The losses due to change or circumstances or deaths or personal growth is never easy. The long road from initial shock to acceptance is a roller coaster ride whether you are ready for it or not, or whether the ride is familiar or unfamiliar, you still caught off guard by it.

What is important for us as we experience the Roller Coaster ride of these times is, we have God’s promise to never abandon us. God, through his people caring for each other, provides his comfort and presence to us.
Paul reminds us of this at the beginning of 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. . .

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,
So also our comfort abounds through Christ.
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;
if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which produces in you patient endurance
of the same sufferings we suffer.

And our hope for you is firm,
because we know
that just as you share in our sufferings,
so also you share in our comfort.

Final Words
No matter what you are grieving at this time, I would encourage you be honest with the losses you feel.
I would encourage you to pay attention to the phases or stages of grief you are experiencing to give you some perspective as to where you are in your grief.

If you have not done so already, reach out for help to God, to a family member or friend, a counselor, or to me. Take advantage of the available resources locally or online to help you move toward to wellness, toward peace, toward acceptance and growth.

May the peace of God be with you in your grief through our friend, Savior and Lord who walks with us during these challenging times.
AMEN.

Song: “We lay our broken world, in sorrow at your feet”

Moment for Mission – World Literacy Day
In Afghanistan, cultural norms dictate that men often play a more central role in public life, while women and girls have more significant roles in the home. Because of this, many girls do not have equal access to education. Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D), with the support of local partners, has been working to provide girls with access to high quality education.
Through summer camps, girls are informed about human rights, gender, sex, and leadership and democracy. Sadaf and Nargi participated in this summer camp, where they were inspired and excited about the great things they could achieve in the future. For the two girls, access to fair and equal education is vital for their goals and dreams; it is also essential to allow their communities to flourish. PWS&D supports equal education.

Prayers of the People

Creator of heaven and earth,
lover of each and every soul,
we are filled with gratitude for the blessings of this life.
For making us in your image to love and care for one another,
we give you thanks.
For the gift of Christ, who redeems and guides us,
and who gives us a pattern for everyday living,
we praise you.
Hear us now as we pray for situations where your love and grace are sorely needed in the world you love.

We pray for the church in this place and around the world, facing so many new challenges to respond to so many enduring needs…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

We pray for this beautiful planet, the fragile home we share with all living things…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

For those who rule in this city/town/area and the nations of the world, that they may find the wisdom and courage to do justice in the decisions they make…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

For those who serve as teachers, healers and caregivers facing new situations this fall, and for all students who return to school in very different circumstances…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

For the homeless and the hungry, for the unemployed and the anxious, and for all who have become more vulnerable through the pandemic…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

For those who mourn and those who are alone or feeling isolated…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

For the powerless and oppressed, and those caught up in destructive relationships or unjust political systems…
(Keep silence for at least 10 seconds)

And for the concerns we bear on our hearts this day…
(A longer time of silence)

Eternal God, we thank you for those who have gone ahead of us and showed us some measure of your eternal love. Keep us always in communion with you, and with your people from every time and place.
So we join our voices to theirs in the words Jesus taught us, saying:…

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and forever. Amen..

Special Music: Dragon school Oxford : Make me a channel of your peace

Charge and Benediction

Isaiah declared that
God gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

The Blessings of the God who watches over us
The Blessings of Jesus who walks beside us.
And the Blessings of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Goes with each one of us into this new week.


Prayer Partnership

Monday, September 7 We pray for members of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee as they meet this month to further our relationships with others.

Tuesday, September 8 (World Literacy Day) We give thanks for a Presbyterian World Service & Development program that is ensuring girls in Afghanistan have access to quality education.

Wednesday, September 9 We pray for all of the students attending our theological colleges who are beginning or resuming their studies in September. May they be enriched and challenged through their studies.

Thursday, September 10 We pray for an end to forced child labour and that the efforts of those who promote Fair Trade products across many industries can be supported and strengthened.

Friday, September 11 We pray for the Rev. Fr. Martin Kalimbe, Executive Director of Theological Education by Extension in Malawi (TEEM), as he provides leadership.

Saturday, September 12 We pray for the network of coaches serving in congregational renewal and church planting support programs.