Community Church of Fontana: Recent Episodes
Rev. Ruth Costello
Join us for a virtual Sunday worship service. Community Church of Fontana is part of the United Church of Christ. All are welcome.
Episode 78: Who Is This Jesus?
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Psalm 19, Mark 8:27-38 – Sermon – Prayer – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: Fairest Lord Jesus Author: Joseph A. Seiss (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast.
All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly, Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee; None can be nearer, fairer or dearer, Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forever more be Thine.
Beautiful Savior, King of Creation Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I'd love Thee, truly I'd serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in the flowers of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, Praise, adoration Now and forevermore be Thine!
Episode 77: If a tree falls
Something a little different today.
Reverend Ruth is away on vacation this week, so instead of our regular podcast, we have a question for you. Who are you?
We know that people are out there listening to our podcast, but we don't know who or where you are. You might be part of our congregation listening from home due to Covid. You might be a member or friend who lives too far away to join us for services. Or you may be someone who found us online and has become a regular listener.
Whoever you are, we would like to hear from you. Let us know what you love about the podcast, why you listen, and what you would change if you could. You can reach us by sending an email to podcast@communitychurchoffontana.org, or by calling the church office at 262-275-2808.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Here I Am, Lord by Dan Schutte (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in darkness now My hand will save.
I who make the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. It is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, where you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my words to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. It is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, where you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. It is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, where you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Words & Music: Daniel L Schutte. © 1981 OCP Publications. Music licensed through mymidi.audo.
Episode 76: God’s P.O. Box
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Psalm 84, 1 Kings 8:1,6,10,11,22-30,41-43 – Sermon – Prayer – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: I Love Your Church, O God Author: Timothy Dwight (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
I love your church, O Lord! Her saints before you stand, dear as the apple of your eye and graven on your hand.
Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, her sweet communion, solemn vows, her hymns of love and praise.
I love your church, O God, the people you have called, the church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood.
Episode 75: Mind and Heart
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Psalm 111, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 – Sermon – Prayer – Communion – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: Open My Eyes, That I May See Author: Clara H. Scott (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest clear; And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear.
Refrain
Open my mouth, and let me bear, Gladly the warm truth everywhere; Open my heart and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain
Episode 74: One Little Word
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 – Sermon – Prayer – Communion – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling Author: Charles Wesley (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its Beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Episode 73: Bread for Thought
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15, John 6:24-35 – Sermon – Prayer – Communion – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: Let Us Break Bread Together Author: Unknown (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Episode 72: An Offering of Presence
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:10-18, John 6:1-21 – Sermon – Prayer – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: What a friend we have in Jesus Author: Joseph M. Scriven Alternative lyrics from Hymns for Today’s Church (2nd ed.) (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged: take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness — take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden, burdened with a load of care? Jesus is our mighty saviour: he will listen to our prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? take it to the Lord in prayer; in his arms he will enfold you and his love will shield you there.
Episode 71: The Household of God
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Ephesians 2: 11-22, Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 – Sermon – Prayer – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: We Are One in the Spirit Author: Peter Scholtes (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
We Are One In The Spirit We Are One In The Lord And We Pray That All Unity May One Day Be Restored And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, By Our Love; Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love!
We Will Walk With Each Other We Will Walk Hand In Hand And Together We Will Spread The News, That God Is In Our Land And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, By Our Love; Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love!
We Will Work With Each Other We Will Work Side By Side And We’ll Guard Each Man’s Dignity, And Save Each Man’s Pride. And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, By Our Love; Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love!
Episode 70: Where is the Good News?
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: Psalm 23, Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 – Sermon – Prayer – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: It Is Well With My Soul Author: Horatio G. Spafford (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord! Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Episode 69: Rejection in Nazareth: Plan B
Order of the Service – Welcome – Scripture Readings: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 – Sermon – Prayer – Communion – Thought for the Week – Blessing – Hymn – Closing
Hymn: Let Us Break Bread Together Author: Unknown (Hymn will play in full at the end of the podcast.)
Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees) When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.