(Mount Vernon Streams Slide)

(LIVE)Good Afternoon and Happy Mother’s Day.

I am Pastor Bob Hollis and this is Mount Vernon Streams. Thank you for joining us today.

We are streaming live today from the Moosup Valley Congregational Church UCC one of the four congregations in the Mount Vernon Larger Parish. We want to thank the family at Moosup Valley for sharing their home with

us.

GREETING (#1 A Mother’s Hug) As we welcome you into the Presence of a God who has a loving, supportive, strong and faithful spirit, we invite you to know God’s Loving Presence because, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here in the heart of God!

THEME (#2 Servanthood opens the door) As we answer the call to Love God and Love our Neighbor by feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting those imprisoned, clothing the naked,

We offer ourselves as servants to one another.(LIVE)

In this day of the Pandemic, let us continue to remember and thank those who are following those commandments as they reach out every day.

And on this Mother’s Day, let us remember, honor and celebrate those who bore us and gave us birth

and those who have reached out to us with a mother’s care.

GATHERING THOUGHT (#3 Deacon Stephen) Today, our scripture will take a look at one of the first deacons called by the

church. Stephen is his name, and we are told he was a person who was “filled with Grace and Power.” He was called along with five others to take

care of the feeding of the widows and orphans who were getting overlooked because the disciples were overwhelmed with preaching, teaching, leading

prayer, being called before the Sanhedrin and put in prison.

(LIVE)So Stephen is called to be a glorified waiter in a Soup Kitchen, but he soon teaches us what it means to be a deacon. He spends time talking with the people who come, finding out their strengths and gifts, uncovering some of their needs or obstacles, introducing them to the power of the Spirit, praying

with them, helping them to work through some of their stuff, preaching teaching healing – setting free and encouraging them as they take flight!

Our first song sings about how if we put ourselves in God’s Hands and Heart, we will become servants of God’s desires!

SONG (#4 I Need Thee Every Hour) I need thee every hour Most gracious LordNo tender voice like thine Can peace afford

(CHORUS) I need thee oh I need thee Every hour I need theeOh bless me now my savior. I come to thee

I need thee every hour Stay thou near byTemptations loose their power When thou art nigh

(CHORUS)

I need thee every hour Most holy oneOh make me thine indeed Thou blessed son

(CHORUS)

Amen, Let’s Greet The Lord In Prayer

INVOCATION (#5 Invocation) Loving and Strong God,

The One who gave us life And the One who gives the Love and Strength that we need each day.

Help us today to celebrate, honor, and thank those who have done so here in this world.

We take this time to honor those who helped to bring us into this world,

who gave up their bodies and their lives to carry us and deliver us.We thank you for those who have mothered us – sharing with us

your example of compassion and strength, caring and empowerment, that we, too, might be ready to live lives

of sacrifice, care, justice, and encouragement!AMEN

(LIVE)Our Scripture today comes from Acts 7.

SCRIPTURE READING (#6 Acts 6:9-15) ACTS 6:8-15

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)

—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.

10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say,

“We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

SCRIPTURE READING (#7 Acts 6:12-15)ACTS 6:12-15

12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

(LIVE)Wow. Stephen signed on to be a waiter in a Soup Kitchen, and was now dragged before the highest court in the nation

needing to give an account of all the great things he had done in Jesus Name!

He only meant to care about the people that he was serving.But in getting to know them, Stephen couldn’t help but wanting

to help them through the tough times they were in, to celebrate the joys in their life,

to offer them a part of what made his life worth living!He was ready to minister to their spiritual needs, advocating for their rights in society, defending his right to do so, educating the folks in power, and

preaching to the highest court in the nation.

SERMON (#8 Mom taught me to Be a Stephen ) That is the lesson that I learned from watching my Momma’s life.

Do the things that God puts in your path or brings to mind when you pray.Do them with compassion, get to know the people that you are caring for. Share life with them, don’t be clinical but get your hands and heart dirty.

Be involved with them. Let them affect you and share lfe with them.Be in relationship with them. Be like Stephen

(LIVE)Start out just offering to be there and help if you can.

Then keep your eyes and your heart and your mind open to how God might want to make a difference here!

Then DO IT!

SERMON (#9 Saint Teresa-Being a Mother to All ) Mother Teresa said many wonderfully powerful things – she DID many

more! Two of the things she taught were that “We can’t all do great things, but we can do simple things with Great Love”

And this quote,“I alone can’t change the world.

But I can cast a stone across the waters and create many ripples!”When we cast the stone across the waters

by doing simple things to meet the needs of the people around us and we do so with compassion, respect, and love, we have no idea how far those ripples will extend

to the ends of the earth and on into eternity!

(LIVE)That’s what Stephen did. He skipped stones of love in the lives of the

widows and orphans who came to the soup kitchen.

He met their needs in simple ways and then helped them with the tougher obstacles they faced. Moreso, he opened their eyes

to the strength of the Spirit of the Almighty God dwelling in them!Together, they were ready

to change their neighborhood and their world!

SERMON (#10 Stephen Before Sanhedrin)

But not everyone likes change. Those in power did not want some of the changes

the Spirit of God was bringing. Peter ended up before the Sanhedrin –

the High Council of the Established Church and Community – because he was shaking the very foundations of their Power Base.

Love and Compassion which leads to Social Action and Justice will do that!

(LIVE) Peter went on with them to share the life source of his beliefs,

the root of his compassion, and the foundation of the community that he believed

God wanted to establish!They were not pleased,

because it was not what they were used to or what brought them power!They decided to get rid of this trouble maker

rather than let him change all that they had come to enjoy!

SERMON (#11 Acts 7:54-60) ACTS 7:54-58

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this the leaders covered their ears and,

yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city

and began to stone him.

SERMON (#12 Acts 7:58-60)Acts 7:58-60Meanwhile,

the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed,

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

When he had said this, he fell asleep.

(LIVE)Stephen started by just serving meals at the soup kitchen.

But the Spirit had much more in mind and Stephen just kept taking each step he was shown!

It didn’t end the way Stephen may have thought it was going to.It would have been wonderful if the Sanhedrin had listen to the word of God

and responded positively – giving up their strangle hold on God

and sharing the presence and power of God with the people!But that’s is not what happened.

God held Stephen in the cradle of God’s Arms while his body was pummeled by Rocks!

This passage reminds me of Joan of Arc or Nathan Hale or Martin Luther King or Ghandi.

They were all people

who just started out by following God’s leading into caring for people.They were then called to stand up

for those who could not stand up for themselves, -to be a voice for the voiceless!

Then they took the next step of trying to get society to do the right thing!Then they were willing to fight the system

and to endure the wrath of the system if that is what it took.They all died by the system – not feeling defeated

but believing that the cause would prevail, two more would stand where one had fallen,

the dream would become reality, the community of God would be established

on earth as it is in heaven!

SERMON (#13 We never know how things will end up ) We never know how those ripples that we start will end!

God’s ways are not our ways!God promises only that in the end

“All things will be brought to their rightful conclusions!” (LIVE)

What happens in the mean time?We have no guarantee.

God promises to be with us, to never forsake us,And to show us that Path that leads to life!

Our job, is to seek God, to listen to the still small voice, to follow, or to walk with God –

always in service to others in building the Community of God!

SERMON (#14 You Be the Judge) It comes down to that simple song that my Momma taught me

This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine.Where does God want that light to shine – all you have to do is keep your heart open, your spiritual ears open, your eyes open, your ears open, your

mind open … Open to receive the Spirit’s direction.Then Let your light shine,

Skip the stones across the water,

Do the right thing,Follow your heart’s leading,

Build a foundation under the dream,Live for the cause!

Love God and Love your neighbor!

(LIVE)Then Let God take care of the rest.

As I grew up, my momma also taught me the grown up version of This Little Light of Mine.

It’s our next hymnTake my life and let it be CONSECRATED LORD TO THEE

Take my hands, my feet, my voice, lips, money, love, life, very soul!And let them move for you, O God, at the impulse of your love!

SONG - (#15 Take My Life) Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King.

Always, only, for my King.Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold.Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my love, my God, I pour At Thy feet it's treasure store.Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee

Ever, only, all for thee.

(LIVE)Amen … Won’t you pray with me this afternoon.

Indwelling, uplifting, outreaching God,So move in our lives, my life,

So that others might be loved, supported, encouraged, and inspired

So that we all might establishYou Community on Earth as it is in Heaven!

TIME OF COMMITMENT - (#16 Even If ) We have no guarantees

Except that God will be with us to guide us and empower us.Is that enough for you?

God is with you to guide you and empower you!If things work out the way you want – great! Thank God!

If they don’t – turn to God in prayer and ask for the next step!Because God is not finished yet until all of God’s people are set free!

(LIVE)So that we don’t get knocked off right now, even though we have all the licensing to do this, I have put a link to Even if … by MercyMe. It comes with a testimony and is ten

minutes long, but when you get a chance, listen to it, pray for God’s vision and power, and share your prayers with each one of us.

I would love to get feedback on what you think.Let’s skip some stones of faith together!

(#17 Thank You) Thank you for Joining With Us this week.

Please let us know you were here and share with us your God Moments and Prayer Concerns in the

comments here or on our Facebook Page. We care and we love to celebrate our fellowship in the Spirit And while you continue to support your local congregation,

if this ministry has made a difference for you, please consider us in your offerings.

You can send your donation to The Mount Vernon Baptist Church at 210 Plainfield Pike, Foster, RI 02825

(#18 Benediction)

(LIVE)Remember, Worship is not over yet …Take a look at Even If … By

MercyMe. And Let’s live our lives Consecrated Lord to Thee!

Sign Off (#19 Live In Grace) Please remember to let us know you were here, share your thoughts, your

God Moments, and your prayers. And For This Week

Live in Grace – in your life and for all you meet.

CLOSING SLIDES (Whatever You Have)