Vistas Update for May 8

We are here!!
The church is closed to visitors and the public but you can still reach us by phone and email.

Phone: 805-544-2133
Email: info@mtcarmelslo.org
or on Facebook at facebook.com/mtcarmelslo

Prayer requests may be sent to the church office by email or phone

OUR MISSION
Celebrating God’s grace through worship, learning and service.

Online giving is now available from the comfort of you home or when you're on the road. Click the Give Online button above, or download the Give Plus Mobile App on you phone or tablet, to make a one-time offering or to set up a recurring donation. You decide how much to give and when.

Pastor Notes....

Memories and Mother’s Day

I recently read a very beautiful, thoughtful reflection from a high school classmate who writes a periodic blog. She begins, “In this month of cancelled proms,” and then goes on to share her memory of attending prom more than fifty years ago. “At the black altar of her sewing machine,” her mother sews a special, perfect dress for the occasion. And when an orchid corsage is delivered, with a wistful look in her eyes, her mother exclaims, “Oh, lucky you. I never had one.” And although Laurie describes herself as a “self-absorbed teen” who could not yet fathom the “bone-deep loneliness” and betrayal experienced by her divorced mother, some weeks later, for Mother’s Day, she buys her mom an orchid corsage.

Laurie concludes: “My mother never remarried. Never dated, as far as we know. She died during a bygone May. I wish I could send her orchids this Sunday.”

This is indeed a strange year of “no proms,” of cancelled graduations and other departures from our normal seasonal activities. And yet this is still a time for memories, for sharing love and for giving thanks.

Peace,
Pastor Richard

P.S. You can find and subscribe to Laurie’s blog at lauriekleinscribe.com.

Please use the links listed here to join any of our worship services and Bible studies. We look forward to seeing you!

- Link to SUNDAY morning Zoom worship,
Sundays at 9:30 AM
For telephone: +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 935 001 016

- Link to WEDNESDAY Evening Zoom Service
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
For telephone: +1 669 900 9128 (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 867 5095 6162

- Link to FRIDAY morning Bible study,
Fridays at 10:30 AM
For telephone: +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 552 129 433

- Link to SATURDAY morning Bible study,
Saturdays at 8:30 AM
For telephone: +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 936 479 529

- Mt. Carmel YouTube channel, in case you missed a service.

Sunday Morning Schedule

In order to enhance our time together and our worship experience online we will follow a schedule for Sunday morning that includes an extended time before and after worship for conversation with microphones unmuted. During worship microphones will be muted by the host (except for the Sharing the Peace and Lord's Prayer).

9:00-9:25; Bring Your Own Coffee (BYOC) Fellowship with microphones unmuted
9:25: Announcements (microphones muted)
9:30: Worship
10:30 Post Service (PS) Fellowship with microphones unmuted
10:45: Adult Forum

Click the picture above for a full version of the Order of Worship

Words of Welcome
Confession and Forgiveness
Gathering Song - Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life - ELW 816
Greeting
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
Prayer of the Day
Children’s Time

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve tables so that the apostles could be free to serve the word (Acts 6:1-6). Stephen does more than distribute food, however. For his preaching of God’s word, he becomes the first martyr of the faith.
Psalm 31
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Christ is the cornerstone of God’s saving work and the foundation of our lives. We are God’s chosen, holy people who continuously celebrate and declare the mercy of God we experience through Jesus Christ.
Alleluia Verse
Holy Gospel: John 14:1-14
Sermon
Song of the Day - I Am the Resurrection

Affirmation of Faith: The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
The Peace
Thanksgiving for the Word
The Lord’s Prayer

Sending Song - Now the Green Blade Rises - ELW 379
Benediction
Dismissal

Adult Forum
Following worship

Today - Part 2 of this 3 Part Series led by Pastor Richard
Theology of Hope: Hope is a central concept in Christianity. But hope, in its Christian sense, isn't simply one element of faith; instead hope is the medium of Christian faith as such. As Jurgen Moltmann notes In his Theology of Hope, the God we believe in is the God of hope, a God with "future" as God's essential nature. The God revealed in Christ is a God we cannot 'have' but only await in active hope. Join us for a discussion of this fundamental teaching of our faith.

Open positions for the coming fiscal year 2020/2021:
Church Council - Treasurer, Secretary, 2 members-at-large (2-year term), 1 member-at-large (1-year remaining) - Bylaws Section V.3 & V.4 specify the duties
Trust Fund Committee - 5 members - Bylaws Section VI.4 specify duties
Nominating Committee (2020/2010 fiscal year) - 5 members - Bylaws Section VI.2 specify duties

We will vote during the Annual Congregation Meeting on June 28, 2020. Mt. Carmel members interested in any of the listed positions should make their interest known to the Nominating Committee by May 25th. Contact Jenice Twomey at JeniceTwomey@gmail.com or the church office.

Current Nominating Committee members are: Jenice Twomey, Mike Draze, Rebecca Keisler and Ruth Rollefson

Set your alarms for 1:00pm each day to spend a minute or two in conversation with God throughout this holy Easter season.