We are back in the Sanctuary at 11am on Sunday Mornings!!!! Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide the worship experience on zoom, but it is our hope to record on the church Facebook page. You can access the service live streamed from the sanctuary at https://www.facebook.com/WestHollywoodUCC. If you are not able to attend worship in person, we ask for your patience and understanding as we do our best to link to our FB page.
Pastor Janice is away this Sunday. Rev. Ann Hayman will be our pulpit supply pastor.
Commentary
Love is a truly great topic for All Saints (Sun)Day! According to Jesus, a true mark of discipleship is this very act — loving your neighbor as yourself. All Saints Sunday traditionally lifts up those of us “who have gone before,” but it is also a call to present day saintly behavior for those of us “left behind.” To be a saint, to sanctify, to be sanctified, to have in mind sanctification is to embody God’s way of life that sets us apart — not for the sake of proving ourselves to be better, not for the sake of one-upping others, not for the sake of power, but for the sake of example, of model, of witness. I invite you to think this week about the “saints” in your life. What made them special? What type of witness did they provide? What impact did they have on your life? Do you think it was second nature for them to behave the way they did, or did they struggle to be good and loving?
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (International Children’s Bible)
These are the commands, rules and laws of your God. I was told to teach them to you. Obey them in the land you are crossing the Jordan River to own. You, your children and grandchildren must respect God always. You must do this as long as you live. Obey all God’s rules and commands I give you. Then you will live a long time. Listen, Israel, and carefully obey these laws. Then all will go well for you. You will become a great nation in a land where much food grows. The God of your ancestors, has promised it to you.
Listen, people of Israel! God is our God. God is the only God. Love your God with all your heart, soul and strength. Always remember these commands I give you today. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your forehead to remind you. Write them on your doors and gates.
Mark 12:28-34 (International Children’s Bible)
One of the teachers of the law came to Jesus. Hearing Jesus arguing with the Sadducees and the Pharisees saw that Jesus gave good answers to their questions. So, then Jesus was asked, “Which of the commands is most important?”
Jesus answered, “The most important command is this: ‘Listen, people of Israel! God is the only God. 30 Love God. Love the Holy One with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second most important command is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself. ’These two commands are the most important commands.”
The response was unanimous, “That was a good answer, teacher. You were right when you said these things. God is the only God, and there is no other God besides this One. We must love God with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength. And we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves. These commands are more important than all the animals and sacrifices we offer to God.”
Jesus saw that he was answered wisely. So, Jesus said, “You are close to the kindom of God.” And after that, no one was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions.
