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This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Christmastide.
Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Commitment”. Our Scripture passage comes from John 1:29-42 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 40. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 40)
Leader: I waited patiently for the Lord;
People: He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Leader: He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
People: And set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Leader: He put a new song in my mouth,
People: A song of praise to our God.
Leader: Many will see and fear,
People: And put their trust in the Lord.
Leader: Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,
People: Who do not turn to the proud.
Leader: You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
People: Your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us.
Leader: Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
People: They would be more than can be counted.
Leader: Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me;
People: Let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, several people show their commitment to God and to Jesus.
How can we consistently choose God?
And what are we looking for when we follow God?

Call to Worship Psalm 146:1-8
Leader: Praise the Lord!
People: Praise the Lord, O my soul!
Leader: I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
People: I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Leader: Do not put your trust in princes,
People: In mortals, in whom there is no help.
Leader: When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
People: On that very day their plans perish.
Leader: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
People: Whose hope is in the Lord their God,
Leader: Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
People: Who keeps faith forever;
Leader: Who executes justice for the oppressed;
People: Who gives food to the hungry.
Leader: The Lord sets the prisoners free;
People: The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
All: Praise the Lord!

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “None the Richer”. We will be reading from Mark 12:38-44. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 146:1-8.

Question for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus talks about lining up our actions with our faith.
What does the widow get right that the authorities do not?
How should her actions affect ours?

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Two Communities Restored”. We will be reading from Mark 5:21-43, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 30.

Call to Worship
I will extol you, O Lord, for You have drawn me up,
And did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to You for help,
And You have healed me.
O Lord, You brought up my soul from Sheol,
Restored me to life from those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you His faithful ones,
And give thanks to His Holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment;
His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
But joy comes with the morning.
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
So that my soul may praise You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. from Psalm 30

Question for Further Reflection:
In this passage, there is a dispute over how to be faithful on the Sabbath.
How can we respond faithfully to God’s call in ways that respect traditions, while remaining open to something new?