December 6, 2020
November 29, 2020
November 22, 2020
November 8, 2020
November 1, 2020
October 25, 2020
October 18, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s this morning’s worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, October 18, 2020
October 11, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, October 11, 2020
October 4, 2020
Happy World Communion Sunday! Here’s this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, October 4, 2020
September 27, 2020
Sorry for the delay–here's this morning's worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, September 27, 2020
September 20, 2020
Sunday blessings! Here’s this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, September 20, 2020
September 13, 2020
Sunday blessings! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, September 13, 2020
September 6, 2020
Sunday blessings! Here is this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, September 6, 2020
August 30, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here is today's worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, August 30, 2020
August 23, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, August 23, 2020
August 16, 2020
Sunday blessings! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, August 16, 2020
August 9, 2020
Hello Church! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, August 9, 2020
August 2, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, August 2, 2020
July 26, 2020
Happy Sunday, Church! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, July 26, 2020
July 19, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, July 19, 2020
July 12, 2020
Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, July 12, 2020
July 5, 2020
Sunday blessings! Here’s this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, July 5, 2020
June 28, 2020
Good morning, Church! Here’s this morning’s worship!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, June 28, 2020
June 21, 2020
Happy Sunday, Church! Here’s this morning’s worship service!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, June 21, 2020
June 14, 2020
June 14, 2020Hi Church! Here's today's sermon. Let's pray together: Holy and gracious God, we are your people and you are our God. We love you. We strive to embody that love in our lives. We love our community of faith, our church, our friends amd neighbors. We strive to embody that love every day. Make us bold in our witness of kindness and compassion. Break open our hearts and minds through the Good News of your Word, this day and always. AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, June 14, 2020
June 7, 2020
Good morning Church! Here’s today’s sermon on the Great Commission.Let’s pray: Gracious and loving God, thank you for partnering with us and commissioning us to continue the ministry Jesus began. Strengthen and embolden us for the journey ahead, reminding us that you are with us through all the firsts, all the lasts, and everything in between. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, June 7, 2020
May 31, 202
Happy birthday, Church! Pentecost blessings! Here’s today’s sermon.Let’s pray together: Come, Holy Spirit, come! Bless the Church, and bless every part of the Body of Christ, that together, we might embody God’s love and grace for all the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, May 31, 2020
May 24, 2020
Hello Church! Here’s today’s sermon. Let’s pray: Gracious and loving God, make us one with one another and one with you. As we explore our relationship with you, Holy One, help us to be bold in our faith. Hear our prayers for all of our brothers and sisters this day and always. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, May 24, 2020
May 17, 2020
Happy Sunday! Today, I share with you a full worship service put together by our UCC Council of Conference Ministers. It…
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, May 17, 2020
May 10, 2020
Today’s sermon is a meta exploration of what it means to follow Jesus. (“Rick & Morty” spoiler alert, in case you haven’t seen this week’s episode yet 😅)Let’s pray:Loving and gracious God, thank you for guiding us along the way to follow you. Bless each of us on the journey that lies ahead, that we might live in love and grace. Make us bold to strive for your kingdom each and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, May 10, 2020
May 3, 2020
Sunday blessings, friends! Here’s today’s sermon, and here’s a link to the article I reference in it: https://www.citylab.com/design/2020/04/bathroom-home-design-history-disease-hygiene-coronavirus/609745/Let’s pray:Gracious and loving God, we give thanks that through everything we experience, you are always with us. As we grow and change through those experiences, deepen our faith and trust in you and your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, May 3, 2020
April 26, 2020
Happy Sunday, friends! Here’s today’s sermon…Holy and gracious God, open our eyes to recognize the face of the risen Christ in all of our brothers and sisters who we encounter along the road we’re traveling. Make us bold to offer hospitality and break bread with strangers who, indeed, might just be Jesus in disguise. Even in these days of isolation and separation and social distancing, make us bold disciples who find creative ways to safely share your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, April 26, 2020
April 19, 2020 (A worship experience from our Missouri Mid-South Conference Staff)
Friends, this morning our Missouri Mid-South Conference staff have created an entire worship service for us! Be blessed by these expressions of worship and praise!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, April 19, 2020
April 12: Easter Sunday
Happy Easter! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! May your day be filled with resurrection hope and transformational love. The tomb is empty! Thanks be to God!Included in this video is both an Easter sermon and an opportunity to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion, using whatever elements you have on hand in your home. It may be helpful to gather something to represent the bread and cup before you begin the video, or you can pause it to get together your bread and juice (or pancakes and orange juice, or cookies and milk, or…). May this holy meal, which is open for any and all to share in, be an outpouring of God’s love and grace as together we taste and see God’s goodness!Let’s pray: Holy and gracious God, we give thanks for the Good News of the empty tomb. Thank you for demonstrating your boundless love and limitless grace by conquering even death, and transforming death to new life again. Make us witnesses of and partners in your continued resurrection work throughout all of your creation. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, April 12, 2020
April 10: Good Friday
A blessed Good Friday to all of you! If you haven’t yet, watch the Tenebrae service we posted yesterday or read the 17th, 18th, and 19th chapters of John’s gospel to hear the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial. Here’s a brief video reflection on that story. And, if you’d like to read a bit more, check out Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; and Hebrews 10:16-25. These are the other lectionary texts for today. In these passages, we hear some context around the story of Jesus’ passion. How might God be speaking to you through them? How might God be calling you to respond to these scriptures? May these days of watching and waiting in the darkness make the joy that comes on Easter Sunday unbelievably spectacular. Hold on, friends, the story doesn’t end in the tomb… there’s always more to come…
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Friday, April 10, 2020
April 5: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday blessings! Here’s today’s sermon. Will you pray with me?Gracious God, only you would come into the world to be laid in a manger; only you would triumphantly ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. Your ways are always surprising! Continue to surprise us, Holy One, and show us your love in new and unexpected ways. Bless us this Holy Week, as we follow you to the cross, and then, finally to the empty tomb. Thank you, God! AMEN.
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, April 5, 2020
March 29, 2020:
Good morning, friends! Here’s this morning’s sermon.Will you pray with me? Gracious God, may we never cease to witness your resurrection power in every part of your magnificent creation. Hold us close as we seek to take care of one another by keeping our distance. Thank you, Holy One, for being with us, even here, even now. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.Blessings and Peace,Pastor Laura
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, March 29, 2020
March 22, 2020:
Good morning, Church! Wherever you are this morning, may your coffee be hot, your pjs be comfortable, and your spirits be full, knowing that God is with you, and God loves you!
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, March 22, 2020
March 15, 2020:
Friends, today we aren’t gathering in our building for worship. We are, however, still a worshipping church, wherever we’re scattered this morning. I invite you to join me in prayer, hum a hymn or two, watch and engage with this morning’s sermon, and snail mail your gifts and offerings to the church (920 E. Gravois Ave.). Know that we are in this together and that you are loved! Let’s pray… Gracious God, in the midst of these anxious times of uncertainty and fear, calm our hearts and quiet our minds. Make us instruments of your love and peace, that we might bear Christ’s love and light for our neighbors. Even as this new threat to our health is imminent, it is on top of all the worries, grief, pain, and fear we were already carrying. Hold your beloved children close, Holy One, that your love and grace might be unmistakably present in all our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.Missing you all, faithfully and prayerfully yours,Pastor Laura
Posted by St. John United Church of Christ on Sunday, March 15, 2020