During this conversation, Wendy McCaig will share her experiences in bridging the gap between middle class white faith communities and lower income predominately African American communities using the principles and practices of Asset-Based Community Development. Through a combination of story and the sharing of ABCD practices, participants will learn how this strategy could help bridge the gap between church and community in a way that leads to healing on both sides of the divide.
Why is Richmond Still Segregated? (Feb. 2018)
Segregation isn’t an accident of history, or a matter of preference or choice. There are historical and policy decisions that shape Richmond’s sharply segregated housing and school patterns. Redlining and restrictive covenants established these barriers that persist to keep us separated to the modern day.
This presentation was shared by Heather Crislip, on Feb. 21, 2018. Tabernacle hosted a 5 month dialogue on Race during the winter and spring of that year. Heather is a beloved and active member of our faith community and serves as President/CEO of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. (HOME). We’re incredibly proud of Heather and see God at work in innumerable ways as she uses her gifts to serve our community.
Listening to Black Voices: Black Voices in Fiction
We have been talking about the importance of de-centering our own stories and listening to the stories of others, especially those on the margins. We are sharing videos from different members and staff on what voices they are listening to that are shaping and reshaping their perspective.
In this first video, Associate Pastor Meg Lacy Vega shares some black voices in fiction that have impacted her recently. Have a voice you’d like to share with us? Email a video to meg@tbcrichmond.org or severns@tbcrichmond.org.
Sunday, May 31 | Pentecost Sunday
we’re glad you can join us for worship!
We would love for you to let us know you’re here. This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
We will partake in Communion at the end of today’s service. We encourage you to prepare your elements before the service begins at 11AM if you would like to participate.
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Pentecost” (Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons, Seventy Sonnets for the Christian Year)
Today we feel the wind beneath our wings,
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays,
today the church draws breath at last and sings,
as every flame becomes a tongue of praise.
This is the feast of Fire, Air and Water,
poured out and breathed and kindled into Earth.
The Earth herself awakens to her maker,
translated out of death and into birth.
The right words come today in their right order
and every word spells freedom and release.
Today the gospel crosses every border,
all tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace.
Today the lost are found in His translation
whose mother-tongue is love, in every nation.
HYMN #229: “Let Every Christian Pray”
V. 1 Let every Christian pray, this day and every day, come, Holy Spirit, come! Was not the church we love commissioned from above? Come, Holy Spirit, come!
V. 2 The Spirit brought to birth the Church of Christ on earth to seek and save the lost: God never has withdrawn, since that tremendous dawn, the gifts of Pentecost.
V.3 The Holy Spirit’s power can fit us for this hour: come, Holy Spirit, come! Instruct, inspire, unite and make us see the light: come, Holy Spirit, come!
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 2
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just recently started worshiping with us online, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several groups meeting regularly that are open to newcomers, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a digital series that that you can follow along with at your own pace. It offers a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to the final installment of the podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Sunday, May 24 | Ascension Sunday
we’re glad you can join us for worship!
This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
We will partake in Communion at the end of today’s service. We encourage you to prepare your elements before the service begins at 11AM if you would like to participate.
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Ascension Day” (Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons, Seventy Sonnets for the Christian Year)
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory
whilst we were rooted still in time and place,
as earth became a part of heaven’s story
and heaven opened to his human face.
We saw him go and yet we were not parted,
He took us with Him to the heart of things.
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted
is whole and heaven-centered now, and sings;
sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,
whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness
and sing the waning darkness into light;
His light in us and ours in Him concealed,
which all creation waits to see revealed.
HYMN #215: “Rejoice, the Lord is King”
V. 1: Rejoice, the Lord is King:
your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
V. 2: Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when He had purged our stains,
He took His seat above:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
V. 3: His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules both earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice!
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:16-19
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just recently started worshiping with us online, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several groups meeting regularly that are open to newcomers, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a digital series that that you can follow along with at your own pace. It offers a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Summer Discipleship
An update on what Spiritual Formation opportunities will look like this summer for adults, youth, and children.
Meg Discipleship Update May from Sterling W. Severns on Vimeo.
You can find more information about what worship will look like in this next phase in Sterling’s video here. Join us this Sunday, May 17, at 2PM for a Town Hall Meeting, in which Pastor Sterling and Pastor Meg will address questions about these plans.
Sunday, May 17 | Sixth Sunday of Easter
we’re glad you can join us for worship!
This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
We will partake in Communion each Sunday during this Easter Season. We encourage you to prepare your elements before the service begins at 11AM if you would like to participate.
PRELUDE: Judy Fiske
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP: “He Is Alive”
CALL TO WORSHIP: 1 Chronicles 16:31-34
Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say about the nations,
“The Lord is King!”
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
HYMN #208: “He Is Lord”
He is Lord, He is Lord,
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Gospel Lesson: John 21:1-17
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
SOLO: “Feed My Lambs” (Sleeth), Brynne Severns
BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY: Kate Marshall
Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just recently started worshiping with us online, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several groups meeting regularly that are open to newcomers, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a digital series that that you can follow along with at your own pace. It offers a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
A Word from Our Pastor: Significant Update/Summer 2020
Sunday, May 10 | Fifth Sunday of Easter
we’re glad you can join us for worship!
This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
We will partake in Communion each Sunday during this Easter Season. We encourage you to prepare your elements before the service begins at 11AM if you would like to participate.
PRELUDE: Judy Fiske
CALL TO WORSHIP: Mark Andrist “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Who Was This Jesus?” (Susan Palo Cherwien)
Who was this Jesus we call Christ, the Anointed One?
Who is this who said I AM?
I am the Vine. I am the Gate. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Light of the World.
Who is this at whose Name every knee should bend?
We know Christ Jesus was steeped in divinity one with God, the Breath, the Heartbeat, of creation.
We know Jesus was compassion, excluding no one, having mercy on all.
We know he set aside time to be alone in prayer.
He sat at table with the whole spectrum of people he met.
He helped people who were outside the circle of acceptability.
He taught in stories.
He wept at his friend’s death.
He suffered with those who were suffering.
He asked hard questions.
He challenged the values of his society.
He loved without promise of return.
And so when we pray, “Come Lord” when we sing “Give Me Jesus” we are praying into our lives all that Jesus Christ is:
compassion, discernment, mercy, joy at friendship, suffering with the suffering.
We are praying into our lives the ability to love without promise of return.
HYMN #606: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
Lord, I lift Your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life,
I’m so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth to show the way;
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky,
Lord, I lift Your name on high.
Gospel Lesson: John 20:30
Prayer: This prayer was originally given by Rev. Anna Miller on May 10, 2009. Anna is currently serving on staff at River Road Church, Baptist. Her son Adam is graduating from James Madison University this year and recently took a job as the band director at Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista, VA, where Rev. Bryon LePere is the pastor of Buena Vista Baptist Church. Bryon served on staff at Tabernacle about 17 years ago. His daughter is a member of the band’s flag corps.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
TRIO: “Be Not Afraid”
HYMN #196: “Alleluia No. 1” (ALLELUIA NO. 1)
Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Give praise to His name.
V. 1 Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.
Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Give praise to His name.
V. 2 Spread the good news o’er all the earth;
Jesus has died and has risen.
Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Give praise to His name.
OFFERTORY: Tony Williams, “Because He Lives” (Matt Maher)
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just recently started worshiping with us online, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several groups meeting regularly that are open to newcomers, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a digital series that that you can follow along with at your own pace. It offers a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
A Note to Parents from TCCC Director Kristen OSullivan
Dear Parents,
I hope this finds you well. Or well enough considering. Please know you are doing enough. There is enough newness going on in every home that it is going to be a challenge, no matter what. Now IS the time to slow the pace, look deeply into today’s activity, and be present. Children everywhere are experiencing the same lack of routine, lack of academics, lack of socialization. So there is not a hill for them to slide down. It’s a level, inclusive field. Teachers will meet the children where they are. It will be ok.
Your children need your love, joy, and company. Be mindful to show delight on your face when they walk in the room, even if frustration or defeat is the reality. Fake it if you have to because they will remember how you felt. How your expressions and tone made them feel. Not the letters you practiced after breakfast, the dishwasher yet to be emptied (again), or the laundry forgotten in the washer (again).
…For tomorrow shall care for itself.
Struggle is universal. We all have bad: days, moments, meetings, failures, bedtimes, car rides, heartbreak, workouts, and illness. Every single one of us has a story. And no one gets out of life scot-free without the struggle. Two things: do not Compare Your Struggles and sometimes the best thing you can do is Compare Your Struggles. Here’s what I mean.
Daily bad days, pain, trials, and disappointments loom. For you, today may be one of the darkest hours or the deepest of melancholy. So go ahead, wallow in it. Wrap yourself up in it and live it. For two minutes a day.
Yep, all you get is two minutes each day. Scream, cry, whine, or kick people in the shin. Make these two minutes count. Go ahead and make some noise. Because you get two minutes and then you are done. Then it is time to move on and put a pin in it for tomorrow. Tomorrow if the pain is still there–go ahead; wallow in it. Wrap yourself up in it. For two minutes.
And when the two minute timer goes off and you can’t stop the despair? If once the tears start, you can’t turn it off? Well, then it is actually time to compare. It is time to look over at the Joneses or toward the greener grasses and consider their two minutes. Have they lost a loved one? Are their children hungry or hurting? Are they alone? Are they at risk simply doing their job? Is their pain irreparable? Consider another, saying two prayers. One for others and one of gratitude. Then put a pin in til tomorrow.
I know it’s not easy. But it is possible. Moving on daily may be tiny, but it’s a huge step you have to retake everyday. In this pandemic, you deserve your two minutes, to scream, cry, whine, or kick people in the shin. Allow it and then regard the two minutes of others. You will find humility and grace recognizing we all have bad: days, moments, meetings, failures, bedtimes, car rides, heartbreak, workouts, and illness. Your prayers for tomorrow are always at hand, but worry is wasted.
Care not then for tomorrow. For tomorrow shall care for itself. The day has enough with its own grief. Matthew 6:34