Newnan FUMC

Is There Space For God? | Rev. Andrew Chappell

The Gospel reading comes from Mark 6:30-31 - The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When was the last time you were intentionally silent & alone? When did you last practice solitude?

Rev. Andrew Chappell talks about solitude being the "intentional and regaining of the soul," and how practicing solitude without distraction is necessary for our spiritual selves.

What Are You Expecting? | Rev. Andrew Chappell

Mark 10:46-52

Abundance | Rev. Andrew Chappell

This week's scripture reading came from John 6:1-21.

Tabgha, on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes just off the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is the site of several significant events in the life of Jesus. There stands a modern church, which protects the remains of a 4th-century AD mosaic that depicts the bread loaves and two fish that Jesus multiplied to feed the 5,000. Under the church’s altar is a rock that is believed to be the rock on which Jesus laid the loaves and fish while blessing them. The special mosaic can be seen in the photo on the bulletin cover.

Jonah: The Hill You Are Willing To Die On | Rev. Connor Bell

This week's scripture reading is from Jonah 4:1-11, and the scripture response was the full song of Jonah and The Whale.

 

Verse 1

In the Bible we are told

Of a prophet who was called

To a city that was steeped in awful sin

All the people in that place

Were devoid of saving grace

And the prophet seemed afraid to enter in

 

Verse 2

Then ol’ Jonah forth was sent

That old Ninevah might repent

But instead of that to Tarshish he set sail

Oh the sailors, they were kind

But Jonah had a stubborn mind

So off the ship he went and into the belly of a whale.

 

Chorus

Over there,

In that land bright and fair

Oh he’ll tell me all about it over there

On the hallelujah strand

God will take me by the hand

And he’ll tell me all about it over there!

 

Verse 3

In the cold and briny deep

Tears of grief did Jonah weep,

And prayed a prayer that God his skin might save;

Three long days and three long nights

Jonah bargained for his life.

God delivered him to shore from a watery grave!

 

Verse 4

Toward the Ninevites he still felt mean–

Didn’t want God’s grace to intervene–

So he preached the shortest sermon ever spoke.

But wouldn’t you know it, the Word took hold;

Like a fire can’t be controlled!

Away from evil turned the king and all his folk!

 

Chorus

 

Verse 5

Jonah took his seat

On a hill in the scorching heat

To wait to see God’s wrath come crashing down

But behold, God changed God’s mind

Because their hearts had been realigned

You should have seen the size of Jonah’s frown

 

Verse 6

Maybe there’s a lesson for me and you–

That even though it may be true

That Nineveh deserved a thunderous smite…

It may sound a bit uncouth,

But God’s grace overcomes the truth.

For those who turn, the story he rewrites!

 

Chorus

Jonah: God’s Compassion | Rev. Connor Bell

This week's service featured quite a bit of special music, so that has been included in this episode of the podcast for all the enjoy!

 

We started with a special Opening Voluntary, with Marian Steed, soprano, singing “O Gracious Light” in an arrangement by Dorothy Papadakos that features a Whale Recording by Dr. Roger Payne.

The unpublished music setting by Dorothy Papadakos offers us the opportunity hear the voice of the whale in the vastness of the ocean. The text (Phos Hilaron) from Ancient Greek praises the light that shines on all creation. Biologist and environmentalist Dr. Roger Payne (1935-2023) is famous for his discovery of whale songs while researching and recording humpback whales. The Phos Hilaron, Gladdening Light, is a Greek song of devotion and prayer. Dorothy Papadakos, Juilliard trained, has served as organist of St. John the Divine in New York City and also worked with Paul Winter. “O Gracious Light” was commissioned for the 60th Anniversary of the Alston Memorial Organ at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA, and dedicated to Paul Winter. Papadakos has graciously allowed Dawn McCord to adapt “O Gracious Light (With Whales)” for our worship today. Marian Steed collaborated on the adaptation of the choral score; Jim Leake and Jeff Williams contributed significant time to sound production.

 

The scripture reading came from Jonah 3:1-10, followed by the rest of the song "Jonah and the Whale" as a scripture response. This week's response was lead by Kathy Roberts, Joanna Sherer, and Henry Roberts, who also sang an anthem earlier in the service.

 

Verse 3

In the cold and briny deep

Tears of grief did Jonah weep,

And prayed a prayer that God his skin might save;

Three long days and three long nights

Jonah bargained for his life.

God delivered him to shore from a watery grave!

 

Chorus

Over there,

In that land both bright and fair,

Oh, he’ll tell me all about it over there.

On the hallelujah strand

God will take me by the hand,

And he’ll tell me all about it over there!

 

Verse 4

Toward the Ninevites he still felt mean–

Didn’t want God’s grace to intervene–

So he preached the shortest sermon ever spoke.

But wouldn’t you know it, the Word took hold;

Like a fire can’t be controlled!

Away from evil turned the king and all his folk!

Jonah: Repentence? | Rev. Connor Bell

Scripture Reading from Jonah 1:17-2:10

 

Scripture response is a song played on guitar and sung by Rev. Bell “Jonah and the Whale,” vs. 2 and 3

 

Verse 2

Then ol’ Jonah forth was sent

That old Nineveh might repent

But instead of that to Tarshish he set sail

Oh the sailors, they were kind

But Jonah had a stubborn mind

So off the ship he went into the belly of a whale.

 

Chorus

Over there,

In that land bright bright and fair

Oh he’ll tell me all about it over there

On the hallelujah strand

God will take me by the hand

And he’ll tell me all about it over there!

 

Verse 3

In the cold and briny deep

Tears of grief did Jonah weep

And a prayed a prayer that God his skin might save

Three long days and three long nights

Jonah bargained for his life

God delivered him to shore from a watery grave

 

Chorus

In The Same Boat | Rev. Connor Bell

Scripture Reading from Jonah 1:1-6

 

As a Scripture Response, Rev. Bell played guitar and sang “Jonah and the Whale," vs. 1 and 2

 

Verse 1

In the Bible we are told

Of a prophet who was called

To a city that was steeped in awful sin

All the people in that place

Were devoid of saving grace

And the prophet seemed afraid to enter in

 

Chorus

Over there,

In that land bright bright and fair

Oh he’ll tell me all about it over there

On the hallelujah strand

God will take me by the hand

And he’ll tell me all about it over there!

 

Verse 2

Then ol’ Jonah forth was sent

That old Ninevah might repent

But instead of that to Tarshish he set sail

Oh the sailors, they were kind

But Jonah had a stubborn mind

So off the ship he went and into the belly of a whale.

 

Chorus

The Circumcision of the Heart | Rev. Andrew Chappell

Romans 2:29

Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter.

On Working Out Our Own Salvation | Rev. Andrew Chappell

Philippians 2:12-12

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Identity: Christ In Me | Rev. Andrew Chappell

Colossians 3:9b-10 (CEB) 

Take off the old human nature with its practices and put on the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge by conforming to the image of the one who created it.