The Sermon on the Mount continues to be unwrapped as the Lenten season unfolds at Guilford Church. The liturgy will hold up “prayer and fasting” as central to the message Jesus shared with his disciples and followers. The music of the day under the direction of Peter Amidon will include two meditative pieces for the choir: a South African chant, “Ukuthula”, which means Peace in the Zulu language, and “Agnus Dei” by Kristina Vaskiliauskaite and Tony Barrand will open the service with “Lord of All Hopefulness” by Jan Struther. The scripture for the day, read by Tom Ragle, will include Matthew 6:6-8, Romans 8:26,27 and James 5:13-18. Rev Lise Sparrow will offer reflections on forms of prayer and the centrality of prayer to Christianity.
The Sunday school will continue with the “Ahlan wa Sahlan! Welcome to the Holy Land: curriculum from the UCC Global Ministries and Disciples of Christ. This week they will make prayer bracelets and learn about the town of Bethany as the context for the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus and as a contemporary town where muslim, christian and jewish children mingle.
After worship, the Lenten Series will continue with Stephanie Nelson offering an introduction to Centering Prayer.
Everyone is welcome. Other events in the series will include:
- “Judge Not:“I Am from Here, a film discussion with Curtiss Reed, Jr. on racial equity in Vermont on March 24;
- “The Golden Rule: the Edge of ContemporaryChristianity”, an introduction to Nadia Bolz-Weber with Jen McCalley on March 31.
- “Build on Rock: Building Relationships on Pine Ridge Reservation” with John Willis and Arthur Running Horse on April 7 at 2pm and
- “Ask, Seek, Knock: Universal Christ”, a conference excerpt with Richard Rohr from the Center for Action and Contemplation on April 14.
Guilford Community Church, an Open and Affirming/Just Peace Congregation of the United Church of Christ, is fully handicapped accessible and committed to providing hearing assistance and ASL interpretation, if given notice ahead. The church is located one mile south of exit 1 on Route 5 just in back of the Guilford Country Store. For more information call 257-2776, check the website at www.guilfordchurch.org or friend us on Facebook at “Guilford Community Church”. Our services are also being filmed and can be found on BCTV Wednesday morning at 7am and Sunday mornings at 8am or anytime online at www.brattleborotv.org.