August 20, 2017

THEME: Markers of God's Faithfulness

NOTES: Last week, Charlottesville VA came to all of our attention. While we treasure our diversity around the table of God's love, the differences in our thoughts and ideas can leave us unsure of how to talk about and respond to the hate and hurt we have witnessed.  At times like these, we are especially grateful for the table. God has called us to gather around, different as we are. God has called us to sit down together and keep talking. God has called us to feast on the rich heritage of mercy and saving love that we find here. EVEN in such a time as this? No, PRECISELY for such a time as this. We as a community and congregation continue to sort out our emotions, collect our thoughts and hear God's call to respond to the bitter fruit of hate that the seeds of racism and bigotry are bearing in our world. Our response will need to be the fruit of different seeds, the seeds of mercy and forgiveness, courage and love.

SCRIPTURE:

First Service: Joshua 4:14-24 (NRSV)
On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him, as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.
¹⁵ The Lord said to Joshua, ¹⁶ “Command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant,^[a] to come up out of the Jordan.” ¹⁷ Joshua therefore commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.” ¹⁸ When the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.
¹⁹ The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. ²⁰ Those twelve stones, which they had taken out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal, ²¹ saying to the Israelites, “When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.’ ²³ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea,^[b] which he dried up for us until we crossed over, ²⁴ so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, and so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”


Second Service: James 5:7-20 (NRSV)

⁷ Be patient, therefore, beloved,^[b] until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.^{[c] 9} Beloved,^[d] do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! ¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, beloved,^[e] take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
¹² Above all, my beloved,^[f] do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
¹³ Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
¹⁹ My brothers and sisters,^[g] if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, ²⁰ you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s^[h] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

8:30 AM Order of Service

The Gathering

Welcome                                                                             

Prelude

We Gather in The Light of Christ

Lighting the Christ Candles                                               

Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader:  In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Hymn of Praise:CH #99 "O, How I Love Jesus"  ALL

Call to Worship    
Leader: We gather to respect and love the Lord as the sun endures throughout all generations! 
People: May we let God be like the rain that falls on mown grass;
Leader: Like showers that water the earth!
People: Let us continue praying to the Lord,
Leader: Invoking the blessings of the Lord.
People: So all people can blossom in our cities and grow like the grass of the field.
--from Psalm 72 
                                                  
Invocation                                                                     Unison  
Blessed are You, O Lord,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be your glorious name forever.
We long for the whole earth to be filled with your glory 
and our hearts to move towards Your righteousness
today.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
      
 

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture:                                              

Sermon/Meditation                    
                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern                                        

Prayer Hymn:Celebration #778 "In the Sweet By and By"                    st. 1 & 3

Praying Together       

Prayer of Intercession: Proper 21 B

(inspired by James 5, Mark 9)

God, you are our source of love and strength. 

We trust in your wisdom and faithfulness
as we raise our thoughts and our voices to you.

We pray for those who suffer and are sick . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who struggle with temptation and sin . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who, in fear, anger or hatred, 

would stir up violence and unrest . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who lead and guide others
on the journey of faith . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who serve and share in ministry
around the world . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and its leaders . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

 
We give thanks for those who are cheerful
and who bring joy to our lives . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for those who are loving and kind, 

who stand up for others in courage and faith . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for those who serve and lead us
in our journeys of faith . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for this earth and its bounty . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for Christ’s grace in our lives,
and for the presence of God in our world . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

God of love and power, you do hear our prayers and it is in faith that
we raise our thoughts and our voices to you. Amen.

 

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press.  Posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table                        

Communion Hymn: CH#46  "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  ALL

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

For wheat that from the earth will grow;
For vines from which the wine will flow;
For Love that brings us here to share;
For hearts to show Love everywhere.

At this your table, Lord, we wait;
With thankful hearts, anticipate
Your presence in our midst today
And with us as we go our way. Amen.

The Elder’s Prayer of Communion

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Supper

All are welcome to share at the Table.  Come forward using the center aisle.  As you partake of the bread and the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the table.  The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church.

The Lord’s Prayer                  

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship                                              

Hymn of Discipleship: Celebration #777 "On Jordan's Stormy Banks"  sts. 1 & 2

Blessing                                                                      

Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.  

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

10:40AM Service

Welcome    

Prelude                                                                     

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship
Leader: We gather to respect and love the Lord as the sun endures throughout all generations! 
People: May we let God be like the rain that falls on mown grass;
Leader: Like showers that water the earth!
People: Let us continue praying to the Lord,
Leader: Invoking the blessings of the Lord.
People: So all people can blossom in our cities and grow like the grass of the field.
--from Psalm 72
                                                           
Hymn of Praise:CH#67 "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"    sts. 1, 2 & 3

The Acolytes light the Christ candles.

 
Invocation                                                                     Unison  
Blessed are You, O Lord,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be your glorious name forever.
We long for the whole earth to be filled with your glory 
and our hearts to move towards Your righteousness
today.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.   
   

Hymn of Faith: CH #99 "O, How I Love Jesus"  ALL

We Offer Our Hearts to God

Call to Offering

The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church.

Offertory

Doxology CH #46

Prayer of Dedication

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture                                                                     

  

Anthem

Children’s Sermon                                                       

Sermon/Meditation                                                           

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns                                        

Prayer Hymn:Celebration #655 "Sanctuary"                               Sing once

Praying Together  

Prayer of Intercession: Proper 21 B

(inspired by James 5, Mark 9)

God, you are our source of love and strength. 

We trust in your wisdom and faithfulness
as we raise our thoughts and our voices to you.

We pray for those who suffer and are sick . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who struggle with temptation and sin . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who, in fear, anger or hatred, 

would stir up violence and unrest . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who lead and guide others
on the journey of faith . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who serve and share in ministry
around the world . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and its leaders . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

 
We give thanks for those who are cheerful
and who bring joy to our lives . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for those who are loving and kind, 

who stand up for others in courage and faith . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for those who serve and lead us
in our journeys of faith . . .
God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for this earth and its bounty . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for Christ’s grace in our lives,
and for the presence of God in our world . . .God of love and power,
hear our prayer.

God of love and power, you do hear our prayers and it is in faith that
we raise our thoughts and our voices to you. Amen.

 

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press.  Posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

                                                            

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to Communion

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion. Please hold each element as we partake in unison.

Communion Hymn: CH#46  "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  ALL

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

For wheat that from the earth will grow;
For vines from which the wine will flow;
For Love that brings us here to share;
For hearts to show Love everywhere.

At this your table, Lord, we wait;
With thankful hearts, anticipate
Your presence in our midst today
And with us as we go our way. Amen.

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer                                                          

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship                                                    

Hymn of Discipleship: CH#467 "Fill the World with Love"  sts. 1, 3, & 4

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing                                                                          

Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading. 
 

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,

People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
 

Parting Song: Celebration #777 "On Jordan's Stormy Banks"  sts. 1 & 2