Welcome to worship online. Today we find ourselves exploring two pieces of scripture (Gospel of Matthew and Book of Revelation) that offer us a word of comfort in the difficult seasons of life. Struggle and difficulty, unfortunately meet all of us along the way. Whether we are prepared or not… Whether we can see it coming or not… Whether we have the tools to make it through… or not. In these times we call out to God for help and wonder why God feels so distant.

This week, in these ancient texts, I found a word of hope and a reminder that God has not abandoned us in this time of grief and loss. I wonder if you might too?

Let’s worship God together this day.

Good morning! Welcome to worship online. Today we celebrate Senior Adult Sunday. Early in Greystone’s history, Hannah Hills began developing and leading a ministry with Senior Adults in our community. Because of her leadership, we now have a rich tradition of celebrating the gifts of those who are 65+ years old. Though COVID-19 has caused us to alter some of our traditions, you will find that some of the things we love the most are still happening. One of those traditions we were able to continue is that on this special Sunday, many of our worship leaders are Senior Adults.

We have also decided to do something new this year, so we have a special treat for all of our Seniors. The ministers will be in the Sawmill parking lot today from Noon to 1pm with a gift for each of you! Just drive through during that hour and roll your window down so we can give you your gift and say hello. Don’t worry, we will be wearing our masks!

Looking forward to seeing many of you today. Until then, let us be united in worship together.

Welcome to worship on this rainy Sunday morning. Often, days like this give us an opportunity to slow our bodies and our minds from all that steals our attention. Because we cannot get outside to do the yardwork, because we don’t want to run to the grocery store in the rain, because everything just seems a little quieter, we have a chance to sit, to rest, and reflect. Maybe it’s because of the Gospel reading for this week or maybe it’s all the commercials, junk mail, and campaign texts we’ve been getting but this week (and weekend) as I’ve tried to slow my mind to hear a word from God, I have been amazed at all the things that are vying for allegiance and ultimate loyalty.

Remembering the words from today’s Gospel reading, I continue to sit with the words of Jesus: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” Of course where this leads is the bigger question: What on earth could I have that doesn’t really belong to God?

As the weather gives us time to sit still and reflect a bit, I wonder if the Holy Spirit isn’t trying to teach us something about our loyalties. Are there things that we have (relational, material, spiritual) that we need to turn over to God? Is there something we are holding onto that we need to release? How is God calling us into the freedom of knowing that in God and God alone, we trust?

Today we join with Christians around the world who celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day intended to remind us of our unity with all people who claim, “Christ is Lord.” Unlike in years past, this year we all re-imagine our communion tables as they have necessarily become coffee tables, dining room tables, and kitchen islands (among other things). What we are learning, though, is that our unity is one that transcends time and space. Whenever we gather – virtually or in person – to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and to eat our holy meal, we are renewed by God’s grace.

Welcome to worship. Today our scripture reading is from the Pauline Epistle to the church at Philippi. The Philippian church is believed to be one of the healthier churches in the ancient world, at least if Paul’s affection for them is any indication. Even still, they struggle with disputes and division among themselves. In the verses read today, we will see that Paul encourages them to be of one mind, and for that to be the mind of Christ.

Our world today is full of so many opportunities for division and disunity. Seeing as our church is in this world, I suspect at times, we let those divisions permeate our fellowship. Therefore, I wonder if we might find any encouragement in the reading for today? Might Paul’s words help us remember why we exist? Might this reading help us remain focused and unified in our mission? I hope!

Welcome to worship on this cool Sunday morning. This time of year as warm, humid air turns crisp and cool, we are reminded of God’s presence with us in the changing season of life. Today we read a story from the book of Jonah. You may know the part about the whale, but do you remember the rest of the story? Do you remember the bush God grew to provide shade over the prophet and then the worm God sent to eat it up? This book is full of so many important life lessons, this week we’re going to see what we might learn about change. As we read and listen for the Spirit of God to speak to us, I wonder if we might ask God to open us to places where a change of mind or heart is needed.

Part 5 of a discussion of the book “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” by Drew G. I. Hart between Pastor Chrissy Tatum Williamson and Greystone member Bill Baxley

Welcome to worship on this Heritage Sunday. Today we celebrate 36 years of life and ministry together.

As in years past, we’ve invited some of our founding and charter members to participate as worship leaders today. Seeing their faces, hearing their voices, and remembering some of the unconventional and creative ways we have gathered for worship and fellowship together give us hope that though we are in a season of “unconventional” right now, God is alive and at work among us, around us, and within us.

Even as we celebrate our past this morning, we look to our future with great excitement as we welcome a new member of our ministerial staff team, Dr. Christian McIvor. Today is Christian’s first official Sunday as Minister of Worship, Music, and the Arts. He’s written a song for Heritage Sunday that you’ll hear during the service. We hope you’ll sing along with us as the convergence of our dispersed voices makes its way from our lips to God’s ears.

Part 4 of a discussion of the book “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” by Drew G. I. Hart between Pastor Chrissy Tatum Williamson and Greystone member Bill Baxley