Broken Hearts, Lifted Spirits

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WELCOME TO TODAY'S WORSHIP SERVICE

June 24, 2012
Broken Hearts; Lifted Spirits

THIS YEAR'S THEME: The Year of the Lord

THIS MONTH'S TOPIC: What does the Lord require? Mercy

TODAY'S MESSAGE: Broken Hearts; Uplifted Spirits

Open your Bible

Light a candle

Opening Song

It is Well With My Soul

Readings

From the Bible:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14

From Swedenborg:

Heaven and Hell (Dole) n. 319

319. People can realize that non-Christians as well as Christians are saved if they know what constitutes heaven in us; for heaven is within us, and people who have heaven within them come into heaven. The heaven within us is our acknowledgment of the Divine and our being led by the Divine. The beginning and foundation of every religion is its acknowledgment of the Divine Being; a religion that does not acknowledge the Divine Being is not a religion at all. The precepts of every religion focus on worship, that is, on how the Divine is to be honored so that we will be acceptable in its sight; and when this fully occupies the mind (or, to the extent that we intend this or love this) we are being led by the Lord.

Offering Plate

Message

This week's message is a very special experience of God's mercy. Rev. Susan Turley has made available to us her DVD, "Broken Hearts; Lifted Spirits: Mothers of the Fallen Speak Their Truth." This is the first time it has been available on the internet.

The DVD is now on three UTube videos. [UTube only allows about 10 minutes per video, so I had to put it into 3 sections.]

Below are the three videos, for you to watch as much or as little as you wish.

The DVD has an introduction followed by 4 parts. [The Utube videos are not divided by section.]

The introductory period shows mothers relating experiences of a child's death in the military. Rev. Turley tells the story of her own trauatic grief when her son committed suicide while deployed.

Then the first part is "My Child's Story" which looks at the life journey of some fallen soldiers.

The second part is "My Faith Journey." In this section, "each mother talks aout her faith journey, relationship with God and faith community. They pose questions about the nature and the role of God in grief and loss."

The final section is "What Helps?" Here, "the mothers share beliefs, and strategies that have been both helpful and unhelpful for them."

These videos help us look at our faith in light of death -- especially military death. It opens our eyes to the kind of special grief that is part of death by suicide.

As you watch these videos, think about your own experiences with loss and grief. What resources help you at these times? Are there Swedenborgian concepts or quotes that especially comfort you at such times? How has your own faith journey been impacted by loss and grief? What does that tell you about God's mercy?

First Video:

Second Video:

Third Video:

Let us pray.

PRAYER FROM Rev. JUDITH

Inspiration & Prayer for 6-24-12:
When life seems at its worst, what do you do to overcome it? There are guiding steps we can take to overcome any kind of adversity. There are times when our family or friends are dealing with a life of struggle and we do not know how to help them. There are always steps that will help and they are giving it to the Lord, asking for His help and sitting with God in prayer. We need to be recharged each day with God's Love, Wisdom, Mercy, and Charity. As often as you can, Pray throughout the day, andpray for others asking for God's will for you and them. As you travel through the tasks of the weeks ahead remember to Pray for your denomination, your church, your family, your friends ,your self, and the departed.

"God, thank you for this opportunity to serve you and my community. Keep me from my will and help me do your will. Keep my mind and heart open to others viewpoints and ideas. Direct all of us to Serve You in Loving kindness, Wisdom, and Mercy. Thank you, Lord, for your daily care for us and for your forgiveness when we stray into self-serving actions and thoughts. Keep our hearts and minds focused on you, and Divine Right Action. AMEN."