SELAH SUNDAYS: **Online Only Worship**
No In-Person Worship for the month of August!
Sundays @ 8:30 am PST | THROWBACK WORSHIP!
Sundays @ 10:45 am PST | ONLINE ONLY JOINT WORSHIP
- Join on YouTube or Facebook Live!
- Join on ZOOM (hosted by Grace UMC of Los Angeles)!
THROWBACK SERVICE!: #TrueToOurGod
In February 2022, we commemorated Black History Month with a sermon series that focused on what it means to be true to our God and true to our roots as a people. The close of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” charges us to be “true to our God and true to our native land.” When we get back and are true to God, God puts us back together again. Our roots in God will sustain us!
Opening Prayer
We gather here today to grow, learn and change as a group. As we begin our Bible study, we ask that you help all of us to gain a better understanding of your truth. We lay down our hearts, minds and lives before you. We ask that you move among us and help us to feel safe with one another: to think, ask for help and to question. Helps us to share our life with you and grow in our knowledge of your Word. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 81:1 (Common English Bible)
Rejoice out loud to God, our strength!
Shout for joy to Jacob’s God!
Summary:
In the Bible, Selah is “a pause to breathe in new life.” Taking time to rest is a biblical requisite for holiness. In God, we we find our rest and recovery for tomorrow.
In this scripture, the Psalmist encourages Israel to rejoice because God has lifted their burdens. Don’t forget to thank God for your help!
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- It is worth noting that Israel must be encouraged to thank God and rejoice in the Lord. Later in Psalm 81, God is disappointed because after everything God had done to help them, Israel still would not listen and refused to rejoice (Psalm 81:11-16). Do we forget to thank God today? Why is it important to rejoice and celebrate what the Lord has done?
- What does this scripture teach you about rejoicing?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
God of all nations, you call your church to be a light on a hill. Empower us to be the church you call us to be. Give us not only the words to speak life but also the hands of comfort and the arms of care that others might discover they are known and loved by you. Amen.