January 26, 2025 – Putting Your Whole Self In: Living Faith Fully

Opening & Announcements

Liturgist: Unspecified

• Prayer Request for Shirley H.: She was admitted to the hospital with influenza, struggling to breathe, and later fell, extending her stay.
• Update on Maddie H’s Grandmother: Recovering from a stroke at Mary Free Bed.
• Deanna M.: Recovering at home but still unable to use her hand; appreciative of prayers and support.
• Alice H.: Featured in a news story again and preparing to move to Bishop Hills.

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

• Responsive Reading: Psalm 19, reflecting on God’s glory in creation and the power of divine revelation.
• Opening Hymn: “God, Fill Our Hearts with Your Peace”

Prayers & Concerns

• Special prayers for church members facing health challenges, those recovering from surgeries, and families in mourning.
• Prayer for Carol’s ongoing medical care and her return home soon.
• The congregation was invited to lift up personal concerns in silent prayer.

Children’s Moment: The Hokey Pokey of Faith

• Interactive Activity: The Hokey Pokey was used as a metaphor for faith—how we often hesitate to commit fully to God.
• Lesson:
  
  • We may hesitate to put our whole selves into faith, holding back parts of our lives.
  • Jesus gave his whole self for us, and we are called to do the same.
  • Trusting in God means fully stepping in, without fear.
• Closing Prayer: Thanking God for His guidance and support as we learn to fully trust Him.

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 19 – God’s voice is revealed through creation, wisdom, and truth.
• Luke 4:14-21 – Jesus reads from Isaiah, proclaiming that He has been anointed to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and healing to the oppressed.

Sermon: Putting Your Whole Self In – The Depth of Faith

Key Themes:

1. The Layers of Faith:
   
   • Faith isn’t just about beliefs and doctrines—it requires a deeper inner journey.
   • Drawing from Jacob Needleman’s What is God?, the sermon explored how true faith involves self-discovery and transformation.
2. Jesus’ Self-Realization in the Synagogue:
   
   • Jesus declared that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in him—not just as a moment in history but as an ongoing revelation.
   • This moment marked his full embrace of his mission—an example of committing fully to God’s purpose.
3. Moving Beyond the Surface of Religion:
   
   • Many people engage with religion at a surface level, focusing only on rules and traditions.
   • True faith requires looking inward, recognizing our divine nature, and embracing our call to serve.
4. The Journey of Deepening Faith:
   
   • Psalm 19 speaks of creation declaring God’s glory, reminding us that faith isn’t confined to words—it is woven into the universe itself.
   • Jesus’ teachings invite us to step fully into faith, just as he did when he accepted his role as the Christ.
5. Faith as a Personal and Communal Experience:
   
   • We are called not just to believe in God but to live our faith fully—to trust, serve, and embody Christ’s love.

Hymn of Reflection

• “On Eagle’s Wings”

Offering & Prayer of Thanksgiving

• A prayer of gratitude for the blessings received and a commitment to using them in service to others.

Silent Reflection & Pastoral Prayer

• Guided reflection: Inspired by Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
• Prayers for healing, wisdom, and peace for those in need.
• The congregation joined together in reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Closing Hymn & Benediction

• Final Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord”
• Benediction: A reminder that God calls us to step fully into faith, just as Jesus did. Encouragement to go forth, embracing faith without hesitation.

Key Takeaways from the Service:

✔ Faith requires full commitment—we cannot hold back parts of ourselves.
✔ Jesus fully embraced his calling, and we are invited to do the same.
✔ Psalm 19 reminds us that God’s presence is all around us, woven into creation and scripture.
✔ Looking inward leads to deeper faith—beyond surface-level religion, into true spiritual transformation.
✔ God is always present, guiding us—we are never alone in our journey.

Final Thought: Faith is not about standing at the edge—it’s about stepping in fully, trusting that God will catch us. May we go forth with open hearts, ready to give ourselves completely to the love and calling of Christ.