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Readings from the WORD and Order of Worship
Passing of The Peace
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Keeping the words of God
“Now this is the commandment–the statutes and the ordinances–that the LORD your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, so that you and your children and your children’s children, may fear the LORD your God all the days of your life and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are those who walk in the law Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
Mark 12:28-34
Two commandments: love God and neighbor
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”
Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’ –this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
True Christian Religion 8
and Jesus said: Without me you can do nothing. John 15:5.
The reason why there is a feeling that God is one emanating from God and entering human souls is that everything Divine, both understood universally and in particular, is God; and because everything Divine holds together as a single unit, it must inevitably inspire a person with the idea of one God. This feeling is strengthened day by day, as a person is lifted by God into the light of heaven. For angels, in the light they enjoy, cannot force themselves to say ‘Gods’. For this reason too when they are speaking the end of every sentence finishes on a single note. This is entirely due to this feeling that God is one entering their Souls.
– Emmanuel Swedenborg
Sermon
Offertory (No handwritten notes please)
To Jesus Christ be glory given,
By all on earth and all in heaven,
May his dominion wide extend,
His glorious kingdom have no end.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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 kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Closing of the Holy Word
Benediction
Shalom To You
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
WAYFARERS CHAPEL
The simplicity of architecture, glass walls, redwood trees arching overhead form a natural cathedral-like sanctuary. Tree-lined walks, lush gardens and lawns, and exquisite views of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean celebrate the presence of God. Sponsored by The Swedenborgian Church and designed by Lloyd Wright, Wayfarers Chapel is dedicated to the glory of God and is a national memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg, 18th Century scientist, philosopher and theologian.
Respecting different expressions of the religious life, Wayfarers Chapel welcomes people of all faiths to Sunday Worship Service at 10 a.m., Prayer Service on Wednesdays at Noon, and to special worship celebrations and events throughout the year. The Chapel is open daily for prayer and meditation.
The natural beauty of the Chapel provides an inspirational setting for a variety of services. Wayfarers Chapel provides a ministry for couples celebrating marriages. Adults and children come for the sacrament of Christian baptism. In light of the Swedenborgian conviction that life continues after death, families ask that memorial services be held in the Chapel for loved ones.