September 29, 2019

THEME: Light for the Path and Light in Our Hearts

NOTES: This Sunday we present Bibles to the children and youth of our church who have reached milestones in learning. Our church recognizes that as we grow, our reading and comprehension levels grow and change so we give reading level appropriate Bibles to children as they move through school. Our hope and our goal is that reading scripture and learning about God's word are part of our overall development. Are there children, youth and young adults in our lives as individuals and as a congregation who are ready to discover the Word of God as it lives in us?And as it can live in them?

Scripture: Psalm 119: 97-105 & 129-138 & Matthew 5:14-16

Psalm 119: 97-105 & 129-138
Oh, how I love your law!
 It is my meditation all day long.
 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
 for it is always with me.
 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your decrees are my meditation.
 I understand more than the aged,
 for I keep your precepts.
 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
 in order to keep your word.
 I do not turn away from your ordinances,
 for you have taught me.
 How sweet are your words to my taste,
 sweeter than honey to my mouth!
 Through your precepts I get understanding;
  therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet
 and a light to my path.

Your decrees are wonderful;
 therefore my soul keeps them.
 The unfolding of your words gives light;
  it imparts understanding to the simple.
 With open mouth I pant,
 because I long for your commandments.
 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
 as is your custom toward those who love your name.
 Keep my steps steady according to your promise,
 and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
 Redeem me from human oppression,
 that I may keep your precepts.
 Make your face shine upon your servant,
 and teach me your statutes.
 My eyes shed streams of tears
 because your law is not kept.
You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right.
You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#97 "Fairest Lord Jesus" (all verses)
Call to Worship

Leader: God's word is a lamp to our feet,
our guide through the dark,
People: It is the wisdom and truth
that we follow each day.
Leader: God's word is sweeter than honey,
yet sharper than swords;
People: It is healing and justice
and ours to obey.
Leader: God's  word is our understanding
of grace, peace and love,
People: It is the reason we gather
to worship today!

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Invocation
Holy Spirit, come to us this day
and teach us sweet words again!
Make our minds and thoughts richer,
so that we may know your law
and your word can show us
your loving and wise heart. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Jan Brooks, Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church, Kansas.
 

We Contemplate God's Word
Presentation of Bibles

Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#586 "Open My Eyes, That I May See"(verse 1)
Praying Together
Holy God:
with the precious jewel
of holy scripture,
you share with us
the treasure of your heart.
Engrave your covenant -
your hopes, your dreams,
your vision, your peace -
upon our hearts,
that they might beat
as one with yours.

Holy Word:
ever clear,
you keep us from wandering
down the wrong paths;
ever longed for,
you make us persistent
in bringing justice
to the lost and to the least;
ever practical,
you show us how
not to misplace our hearts.

Holy Wisdom:
as you breathe the Word
into our hearts,
tutor us in faithfulness
so we are trained
in using the tools
of justice and hope;
so we are equipped
to share the good news with all;
so we become skilled
in compassion and grace.

God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our hearts to you in Jesus' name, Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#397 "Come, Risen Lord" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#573 "Purer in Heart, O God" (verses 1 & 2)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 

Leader: God's word is a lamp to our feet,
our guide through the dark,
People: It is the wisdom and truth
that we follow each day.
Leader: God's word is sweeter than honey,
yet sharper than swords;
People: It is healing and justice
and ours to obey.
Leader: God's  word is our understanding
of grace, peace and love,
People: It is the reason we gather
to worship today!

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

 
Praise Hymn#97 "Fairest Lord Jesus" (all verses)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation

Holy Spirit, come to us this day
and teach us sweet words again!
Make our minds and thoughts richer,
so that we may know your law
and your word can show us
your loving and wise heart. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Jan Brooks, Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church, Kansas.

Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn Psalter # 759

We Contemplate God's Word

Presentation of Bibles
Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#586 "Open My Eyes, That I May See"(verse 1)
Praying Together
Holy God:
with the precious jewel
of holy scripture,
you share with us
the treasure of your heart.
Engrave your covenant -
your hopes, your dreams,
your vision, your peace -
upon our hearts,
that they might beat
as one with yours.

Holy Word:
ever clear,
you keep us from wandering
down the wrong paths;
ever longed for,
you make us persistent
in bringing justice
to the lost and to the least;
ever practical,
you show us how
not to misplace our hearts.

Holy Wisdom:
as you breathe the Word
into our hearts,
tutor us in faithfulness
so we are trained
in using the tools
of justice and hope;
so we are equipped
to share the good news with all;
so we become skilled
in compassion and grace.

God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our hearts to you in Jesus' name, Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#397 "Come, Risen Lord" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#573 "Purer in Heart, O God" (verses 1 & 2)
Blessing
Closing Hymn#431 "Go My Children, with My Blessing" (verse 3) 

September 22, 2019

THEME:When God is in the Kitchen...

NOTES: With World Communion Sunday only two weeks away, we turn to a familiar metaphor. Bread is a universal idea. Bread is food, provision, nurture, comfort, home. It means so much to us across culture and ideology. Throughout scripture, God's provision is understood as the "bread of heaven" and the "bread of life." This week we have a pair of scriptures that focus on God's provision for God's people. We see that there is a relationship between being able to trust God in the practical physical world and being able to trust God in spiritual matters. What "bread of heaven" are we holding this week? What does it mean to our community when we rely on and share the "bread of life?"

Scripture: John 6:1-14, 22-35 & Exodus 16:1-8, 31-36

John 6:1-14, 22-35
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages[ would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Exodus 16:1-8, 31-36
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.”
31 The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.” 34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant, for safekeeping. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. 36 An omer is a tenth of an ephah.


8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn "His Name is Wonderful" (sing twice)
Call to Worship

Leader: Rejoice, folks, Jesus is in our midst.
People: Feed us, Jesus, and fill us with hope.
Leader: Be glad, friends, Jesus has bread and fish to spare.
People: Free us, Jesus, from the pursuit of empty calories.
Leader: Sing for joy, people of God;
People: God gathers up the pieces of our lives,
that nothing may be lost.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

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

Invocation

God of our hopes and dreams,
we are empty, and long to be filled;
we are hungry, and long to be fed;
we are lost, and long to be found.
Gather us into your love,
and pick up the pieces of our lives,
just as Jesus gathered up the fragments
of the five loaves and two fish
that remained after feeding the five thousand.
Call us anew to eat our fill
and to find our true nourishment in Jesus,
the bread of heaven. Amen.

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


We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#339 "Just as I Am, Without One Plea" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Praying Together
God,
like the Israelites in the wilderness,
we too have known Your love,
and experienced Your care and provision.
You call us to extend Your love to the world around us—
to care for others as deeply as we care for ourselves.
And so we bring the needs of our world before You now.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who do not have what they need in order to survive;
  those without enough food to eat, or shelter to keep them warm;
  those without employment, or enough money to pay their bills;
  those without access to medical care, or medicine to keep them healthy.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have more than enough to meet their needs,
  but who continue to feel empty inside;
  who struggle to find meaning and purpose in life,
  who turn to alcohol, drugs, or other destructive behaviours
  to try and hide the pain,
  who entertain thoughts of suicide.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are struggling physically,
  who are battling life-threatening disease or injury,
  who are living with chronic pain,
  who are coping with Alzheimers,
  or facing death.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the first and the last,
and all those in between,
Your grace reaches out to all of us—
life-long believers or newcomers alike.
You call us to live as citizens of heaven,
to work together with one mind and one purpose,
to reach out in love to those in need.
Strengthen us so that we might live in a manner worthy
of the Good News we have received,
offering our lives to the building up of Your upside-down kingdom,
where the last are first, and the first are last,
and there is grace enough for all.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen.

-by Christine Longhurst on re-worship.blogspot.com

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#419 "All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#321 "Break Thou the Bread of Life" (all verses)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 

 Leader: Rejoice, folks, Jesus is in our midst.
People: Feed us, Jesus, and fill us with hope.
Leader: Be glad, friends, Jesus has bread and fish to spare.
People: Free us, Jesus, from the pursuit of empty calories.
Leader: Sing for joy, people of God;
People: God gathers up the pieces of our lives,
that nothing may be lost.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press. Posted on the Ministry Matters website.  http://www.ministrymatters.com/
 
Praise Hymn  "His Name is Wonderful" (sing twice)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation

God of our hopes and dreams,
we are empty, and long to be filled;
we are hungry, and long to be fed;
we are lost, and long to be found.
Gather us into your love,
and pick up the pieces of our lives,
just as Jesus gathered up the fragments
of the five loaves and two fish
that remained after feeding the five thousand.
Call us anew to eat our fill
and to find our true nourishment in Jesus,
the bread of heaven. Amen.

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


Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn Psalter # 414

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#339 "Just as I Am, Without One Plea" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Praying Together

God,
like the Israelites in the wilderness,
we too have known Your love,
and experienced Your care and provision.
You call us to extend Your love to the world around us—
to care for others as deeply as we care for ourselves.
And so we bring the needs of our world before You now.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who do not have what they need in order to survive;
  those without enough food to eat, or shelter to keep them warm;
  those without employment, or enough money to pay their bills;
  those without access to medical care, or medicine to keep them healthy.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have more than enough to meet their needs,
  but who continue to feel empty inside;
  who struggle to find meaning and purpose in life,
  who turn to alcohol, drugs, or other destructive behaviours
  to try and hide the pain,
  who entertain thoughts of suicide.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are struggling physically,
  who are battling life-threatening disease or injury,
  who are living with chronic pain,
  who are coping with Alzheimers,
  or facing death.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the first and the last,
and all those in between,
Your grace reaches out to all of us—
life-long believers or newcomers alike.
You call us to live as citizens of heaven,
to work together with one mind and one purpose,
to reach out in love to those in need.
Strengthen us so that we might live in a manner worthy
of the Good News we have received,
offering our lives to the building up of Your upside-down kingdom,
where the last are first, and the first are last,
and there is grace enough for all.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen.

-by Christine Longhurst on re-worship.blogspot.com

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#419 "All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly" (all verses)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#321 "Break Thou the Bread of Life" (all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #431 "Go My Children, with My Blessing (verse 3)

September 15, 2019

THEME:The Shepherd We Follow

NOTES: Our pairing for this Sunday engages the very familiar image of the "Good Shepherd." The psalmist's imagery of the relationship between the faithful person and God through good times and bad, is one of abundance, strength and guidance throughout life. It reminds us of David, the shepherd king, reflecting on God's presence in his life. In Luke, Jesus engages the image of the shepherd to remind us how far God will go to bring us close into the reach of love and grace. Can we see God's shepherding hand in our world today? Can the world see it in us?

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10 & Psalm 23

Luke 15:1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
 I fear no evil;

for you are with me;
  
your rod and your staff—
  
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
  
in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;
  
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.


8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn

Call to Worship

Leader: God calls to the lost, the least, and all who long for home;
People: God calls and welcomes us back to worship this day;
Leader: Let us celebrate and rejoice in God’s presence forever;
People: Let our hearts be led by the Good Shepherd's kind hand.

~ adapted from a piece posted on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/

Invocation

Lord, we would follow you.
Be the one to whom we turn,
whose hand we hold,
the Shepherd who leads us
safely to the fold.
Lord, we would follow you
wherever you might lead.
Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship 

Leader: God calls to the lost, the least, and all who long for home;
People: God calls and welcomes us back to worship this day;
Leader: Let us celebrate and rejoice in God’s presence forever;
People: Let our hearts be led by the Good Shepherd's kind hand.

~ adapted from a piece posted on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/
 
Praise Hymn#17 "O Worship the King" (verses 1, 2, & 4)

Lighting of the Candles 

Invocation

Lord, we would follow you.
Be the one to whom we turn,
whose hand we hold,
the Shepherd who leads us
safely to the fold.
Lord, we would follow you
wherever you might lead.
Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn - Psalter

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together

Gentle Shepherd:
Thank you for the way you have led us to green pastures and still water;
you’ve shown us beauty this week that has fed our souls.
The brilliant green of the budding trees glowing in the morning sun
the delicate symphony the birds sing each morning
the caress of the warm sun on our upraised cheeks,
the fragrance of lilac in the evening.

Some of us have walked through dark valleys this week,
and all of us know someone in a dark valley,
valleys of sickness, grief, uncertainty, fear.
You meet us there in the darkness, you protect us.
Our enemies are present in our lives;
forces that would take us away from you.
Pride, envy, hatred, selfishness,
all played out on an individual and corporate level.
We need your help in our lives.
You have heard the concerns of our hearts
that were spoken during our sharing time today,
and you heard the concerns that were unspoken,
which weight too heavily for us to share them.
We call on you for help; you guide us carefully.

You have provided for our basic needs this week,
thank you for the food we’ve eaten,
for the luxury of variety in our diet,
for the joy of cooking,
for the clean water that comes out of our taps.

You anoint us with oil,
you gift us with grace,
providing unexpected blessings over and over,
encouragement and new strength when we falter
tender compassion when we are spent.
Goodness and mercy is following us
all the days of our lives.
We give thanks for this good life,
for life and breath this day,
a day to praise and thank you,
we want to stay in your Presence forever.   Amen.


~ written by Carole Penner, and posted on her Leading in Worship blog. http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing

Closing Hymn

September 8, 2019

THEME: A Purpose Formed in God's Own Hand

NOTES: Today's pairing of scriptures offers us a powerful and rich metaphor - that of clay in the hands of the potter. Both the prophet Jeremiah and the Apostle Paul draw on this metaphor to talk about the mystery and the the inherent complexity of finite humanity living in a right relationship with and infinite God. God sees purpose where we see mud. God's hands bring shaped and meaning to situations that to us are pointless struggles. Our lives and our efforts are fragile but God's work is eternal. How can this be? Both Jeremiah and Paul were speaking to communities conflicted in their understanding of who they were meant to be as God's people. Jeremiah raises the question, "At what point in the work to get the shape just right, does the potter (does God), give up and start over?" And what does that mean for the clay? Paul points out that none of us are beyond flaws and faults, but that having an eternal treasure-a heavenly calling and purpose, in a fragile container is a blessing not a curse. And what does that mean for the clay jar?

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11 & II Corinthians 4:1-12

Jeremiah 18:1-11
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

II Corinthians 4:1-12
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#93 "Praise Him! Praise Him! (verses 1 & 3)
Call to Worship
Leader: May this worshiping moment today be one of discovery:
People: Discovery of the love of God, the peace of Jesus,
and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
Leader: Just as shape and purpose emerge from the clay in the hands of the potter,
People: We all can emerge with deepened and refined sense of purpose in God's kingdom.
Leader: Let us worship God together.
People: We worship God in Spirit and in truth.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/


Invocation
Take the clay of our lives and shape it to love
Take the clay of the church and shape it to grace
Take the clay of the world and shape it to peace
Take the clay of today and shape it to hope
And then breathe your spirit into all
again
For ever and ever
Amen

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/
 

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Praying Together

Opening Comments:
Pick up a lump of clay and mold it in your hands
Think about the creation of the world—
the touch of God’s hands on the very substance of the universe

As you change the appearance of the clay with the touch of your hands,
think how the world you live in has touched and changed you...

Think of how your hands have touched other people –
in love, in anger, in sorrow and in joy...

Think of the things and people who have touched your life
and molded you into the person you are today...

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Prayer:
Look, Lord, on an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
In faith we are weak—strengthen us.
In love we are cold—warm us and make us fervent
so that our love may go out to our neighbours.
We doubt and are unable to trust you completely.
Lord, strengthen our faith and trust in you.
You are all the treasure we possess.
We are poor, you are rich,
and you came to have mercy on the poor.
We are sinners, you are goodness.
From you we can receive goodness,
but we can give you nothing.
Therefore we shall stay with you
and let our lives be our gift..
Amen.

(Martin Luther)

~ posted on the Leicester Cathedral website.

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#420 "I Come with Joy" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (all verses)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: May this worshiping moment today be one of discovery:
People: Discovery of the love of God, the peace of Jesus,
and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
Leader: Just as shape and purpose emerge from the clay in the hands of the potter,
People: We all can emerge with deepened and refined sense of purpose in God's kingdom.
Leader: Let us worship God together.
People: We worship God in Spirit and in truth.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/ 
Praise Hymn#93 "Praise Him! Praise Him! (verses 1 & 3)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Take the clay of our lives and shape it to love
Take the clay of the church and shape it to grace
Take the clay of the world and shape it to peace
Take the clay of today and shape it to hope
And then breathe your spirit into all
again
For ever and ever
Amen

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" (verses 1, 2, & 4)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Praying Together
Opening Comments:
Pick up a lump of clay and mold it in your hands
Think about the creation of the world—
the touch of God’s hands on the very substance of the universe

As you change the appearance of the clay with the touch of your hands,
think how the world you live in has touched and changed you...

Think of how your hands have touched other people –
in love, in anger, in sorrow and in joy...

Think of the things and people who have touched your life
and molded you into the person you are today...

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Prayer:
Look, Lord, on an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
In faith we are weak—strengthen us.
In love we are cold—warm us and make us fervent
so that our love may go out to our neighbours.
We doubt and are unable to trust you completely.
Lord, strengthen our faith and trust in you.
You are all the treasure we possess.
We are poor, you are rich,
and you came to have mercy on the poor.
We are sinners, you are goodness.
From you we can receive goodness,
but we can give you nothing.
Therefore we shall stay with you
and let our lives be our gift..
Amen.

(Martin Luther)

~ posted on the Leicester Cathedral website.

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#420 "I Come with Joy" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #433 "Go My Children, With My Blessing" (verse 3)

September 1, 2019

THEME: Table Manners and Dinner Parties in God's House

NOTES: Today's scripture pairing is all about the party! And etiquette. Throughout scripture, the metaphor of a party or banquet is used to teach lessons about hospitality. Today we hear a bit of wisdom from Proverbs about how to find a seat at the table. The second text takes us to through three of Jesus' teachings. One begins with the same idea. The second speaks to the hosts' responsibilities. And the final one is a story reveals that even when dining out, if you are within the kingdom of God,  you can always expect a twist!

Scripture: Luke 14:1 , 7-24 & Proverbs 25:6-7a

Luke 14:1 , 7-24

On one occasion when Jesus, was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20 Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’”

Proverbs 25:6-7a
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
    or stand in the place of the great;
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.


8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#284 "Gather Us In" (verses 1 & 3)

Call to Worship
Leader: Welcome to a time of wonder
People: and music that calls us home
Leader: Welcome to hear God’s words that inspire and challenge
People: and to reminders that we are offered holy hospitality -
Leader: Hospitality that teaches us how to open our lives to others
People: leading us to fully live open minds, open hearts, open doors.

-Christine Longhurst

Invocation
Ever-loving God,
we bow before you in reverence.
You search for us, care for us,
and welcome us home.
We belong to you.

Transform us into your likeness,
and feed us through your generous Word.
As we wait for the Spirit
make us more and more signs of your hospitality,
so your kingdom may come, on earth as in heaven.
Amen

~ from Nine Days of Prayers 2012, posted on the Diocese of Canterbury website.

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#581 "Near to the Heart of God" (all verses)
Praying Together

Beloved, teach us to open our shuttered hearts
and our portioned and boarded up spirits
with bold generous and with courageous hospitality.
Estranged and alienated so often and from so much,
sustain us in making circles of welcome out of gatherings of strangers.
Around the table of wonder, meet us in abundance,
drawing out our stories
and showing us how to weave together community with steadfast love.
The wells of life are our responsibilities;
teach us to care for them together,
with forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, and rejoicing.
When we are cast out and wandering,
may we find welcome and compassion
that calls us back into accountable relationship,
into the ways of healing, into the ways of peace.
Generation after generation has wrested and exiled
or been dispossessed.
Generation after generation has learned anew
how to make welcome,
how to make home wherever they are, however they are,
and how to welcome You, Beloved,
in welcoming enemies, strangers, and exiles
into a life of transforming love. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Naomi King, and posted on The Wonderment. http://thewonderment.typepad.com/

 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#386 "We Come as Guests Invited" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#357 "We Call Ourselves Disciples" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: Welcome to a time of wonder
People: and music that calls us home
Leader: Welcome to hear God’s words that inspire and challenge
People: and to reminders that we are offered holy hospitality -
Leader: Hospitality that teaches us how to open our lives to others
People: leading us to fully live open minds, open hearts, open doors.

-Christine Longhurst

 
Praise Hymn#284 "Gather Us In" (verses 1 & 3)

Lighting of the Candles 

Invocation
Ever-loving God,
we bow before you in reverence.
You search for us, care for us,
and welcome us home.
We belong to you.

Transform us into your likeness,
and feed us through your generous Word.
As we wait for the Spirit
make us more and more signs of your hospitality,
so your kingdom may come, on earth as in heaven.
Amen

~ from Nine Days of Prayers 2012, posted on the Diocese of Canterbury website.

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn"Sing and Rejoice" (sing as a round)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#581 "Near to the Heart of God" (all verses)
Praying Together

Beloved, teach us to open our shuttered hearts
and our portioned and boarded up spirits
with bold generous and with courageous hospitality.
Estranged and alienated so often and from so much,
sustain us in making circles of welcome out of gatherings of strangers.
Around the table of wonder, meet us in abundance,
drawing out our stories
and showing us how to weave together community with steadfast love.
The wells of life are our responsibilities;
teach us to care for them together,
with forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, and rejoicing.
When we are cast out and wandering,
may we find welcome and compassion
that calls us back into accountable relationship,
into the ways of healing, into the ways of peace.
Generation after generation has wrested and exiled
or been dispossessed.
Generation after generation has learned anew
how to make welcome,
how to make home wherever they are, however they are,
and how to welcome You, Beloved,
in welcoming enemies, strangers, and exiles
into a life of transforming love. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Naomi King, and posted on The Wonderment. http://thewonderment.typepad.com/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#386 "We Come as Guests Invited" (all verses)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#357 "We Call Ourselves Disciples" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #431 "Go My Children, with My Blessing" (verse 3)

August 25, 2019

THEME: Is God Calling the Qualified...or Qualifying the Called?

NOTES: As we continue pairing scriptures that rely on similar metaphors or master images, today's pairing reflects the theme of God's call to reluctant human beings to do and be more than we imagine possible. We can see that there is work to do in this world to bring hope and healing. There are issues of justice that need to be raised and addressed in life-giving ways. But are we really the right people for the job? We are not the first people of faith to ask the question.

Ponder this poem/prayer as we prepare:
As we recount the centuries of human history,

We pray that one day bondage will lead to freedom;

We pray that indifference will give way to mercy;

We pray that hatred will turn to compassion, and fear turn to hope.
We pray that one day, nations will defy history and proclaim in one voice:

Never again will terror-stricken exiles face angry waters alone;

Never again will vulnerable victims be locked behind barbed wire;

Never again will desperate refugees be turned away at the borders of freedom.
And we vow…

Until that day arrives, we will be the miracle that parts the angry seas for today’s refugees.

We will take it upon ourselves to lead the mixed multitude to dry land, 
and we will bring 
them to a place of redemption.
 AMEN

Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is Executive Director, Women of Reform Judaism

https://worshipwords.co.uk/prayer-for-refugees-marla-feldman-usa/


Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 & Exodus 3:1-14
Jeremiah 1:4-10
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

I Timothy 4: 11-16
11 These are the things you must insist on and teach. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 5 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#484 "We've a Story To Tell the Nations" (verses 1 & 2)
Call to Worship

Leader: This place for us is Holy Ground.
People: The place where we sing songs of praise to the Lord,
and repeat the stories of faith
that inspire us to respond to Christ’s love.
Leader: God called us here,  in whispering winds and in burning flames,
People: God's presence disarms us of the barriers we have placed around us.
Leader: Instead God meets us in our vulnerability,
our humanity.
People: Let us worship the Lord fully and honestly.

-written by Rev. MaryAnn R. Rennie (minister of Corstorphine: St. Anne’s Parish Church in Edinburgh) for the Church of Scotland’s


Invocation
O God of all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
 before you formed us in the womb.
 Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
 hope that does not disappoint,
 and love that bears all things for your sake, 
until that day when we shall know you fully,
 even as we are known by you. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.  http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#452 "Here I Am, Lord" (verses 1 & 2)
Praying Together
Gracious God,
In love You created us,
and in love You sustain us, day after day.
So it is with confidence that we bring our prayers to You,
knowing that You hear us, and will respond.

We pray for the world around us,
for the many who continue to suffer and call out for help:
            for those without enough to eat;
            for those caught up in violence and political uprisings;
            for those picking up the pieces after a natural disaster;
            for those desperate to find work to support their families.
           
Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.       

We also pray for family and friends who are suffering:
            those struggling physically or emotionally,
            those working to overcome mental illness;
            those facing challenges at home or at work;
            those grieving the death of a loved one.
           
Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

God, You have called us to pray for our enemies;
to bless, rather than curse, those who deliberately seek to harm us.
We bring their names before You now—
            those who have hurt us, physically or emotionally;
            those who have stolen from us,
                        or cheated us of what was rightfully ours;
            those who have spread rumours about us,
                        or turned our friends against us.
We ask You to bless them.
Open our hearts so that we may see them as You see them,
and be able to respond to them with Your love.

Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

We pray for Your church around the world,
that we would be a living demonstration of Your coming kingdom:
            offering hospitality to all,
            ready to help in times of need,
            showing love to friends and enemies alike,
            seeking to live in peace with all.

Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

God, we praise You for Your faithful love,
and for the mercy You have shown toward us.
Open our eyes to recognize Your presence in our lives.
Give us grace to hear Your call,
and courage to follow without hesitation,
knowing that Your way is the only way that leads to life.

In the name of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord,
Amen.

-adapted from a prayer by Christine Longhurst

O God of all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
before you formed us in the womb.
Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
hope that does not disappoint,
and love that bears all things for your sake,
until that day when we shall know you fully,
even as we are known by you. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.  http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn"For Everyone Born" (verses 1, 4, & 5)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#668 "For the Healing of the Nations" (all verses)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: This place for us is Holy Ground.
People: The place where we sing songs of praise to the Lord,
and repeat the stories of faith
that inspire us to respond to Christ’s love.
Leader: God called us here,  in whispering winds and in burning flames,
People: God's presence disarms us of the barriers we have placed around us.
Leader: Instead God meets us in our vulnerability,
our humanity.
People: Let us worship the Lord fully and honestly.

-written by Rev. MaryAnn R. Rennie (minister of Corstorphine: St. Anne’s Parish Church in Edinburgh) for the Church of Scotland’s

 
Praise Hymn#484 "We've a Story To Tell the Nations" (verses 1 & 2)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation 
O God of all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
before you formed us in the womb.
Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
hope that does not disappoint,
and love that bears all things for your sake,
until that day when we shall know you fully,
even as we are known by you. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.  http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn#677 "Let There Be Peace On Earth" (sing once)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#452 "Here I Am, Lord" (verses 1 & 2)
Praying Together
Gracious God,
In love You created us,
and in love You sustain us, day after day.
So it is with confidence that we bring our prayers to You,
knowing that You hear us, and will respond.

We pray for the world around us,
for the many who continue to suffer and call out for help:
            for those without enough to eat;
            for those caught up in violence and political uprisings;
            for those picking up the pieces after a natural disaster;
            for those desperate to find work to support their families.
           
Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.       

We also pray for family and friends who are suffering:
            those struggling physically or emotionally,
            those working to overcome mental illness;
            those facing challenges at home or at work;
            those grieving the death of a loved one.
           
Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

God, You have called us to pray for our enemies;
to bless, rather than curse, those who deliberately seek to harm us.
We bring their names before You now—
            those who have hurt us, physically or emotionally;
            those who have stolen from us,
                        or cheated us of what was rightfully ours;
            those who have spread rumours about us,
                        or turned our friends against us.
We ask You to bless them.
Open our hearts so that we may see them as You see them,
and be able to respond to them with Your love.

Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

We pray for Your church around the world,
that we would be a living demonstration of Your coming kingdom:
            offering hospitality to all,
            ready to help in times of need,
            showing love to friends and enemies alike,
            seeking to live in peace with all.

Gracious God, hear our prayer,
and in Your love, answer.

God, we praise You for Your faithful love,
and for the mercy You have shown toward us.
Open our eyes to recognize Your presence in our lives.
Give us grace to hear Your call,
and courage to follow without hesitation,
knowing that Your way is the only way that leads to life.

In the name of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord,
Amen.

-adapted from a prayer by Christine Longhurst

O God of all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
before you formed us in the womb.
Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
hope that does not disappoint,
and love that bears all things for your sake,
until that day when we shall know you fully,
even as we are known by you. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.  http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn"For Everyone Born" (verses 1, 4, & 5)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#668 "For the Healing of the Nations" (all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn#461 "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service"(verse 4)

August 18, 2019

THEME: Good Grapes or Wild Grapes? What's growing in God's Vineyard Today?

NOTES: Today's scriptures use the metaphor of a vineyard to talk about the relationship between God and God's people. In Isaiah, we see what happens when the relationship falls apart. John's words of hope encourage us to stay close to God to see what can happen when the relationship is successful. The vineyard is a common and powerful metaphor for the Prophets and the Gospels. It so clearly illustrates that staying close to God through love, honesty and justice leads to bearing healthy fruit; while cutting ourselves off leads surely to unhealthy fruit or even unfruitfulness. As we seek to live faithfully in our world today, particularly in navigating issues of justice, the reminder to draw close and stay close is timely.

Ponder this Poem/Prayer as we prepare:

Praise the Eternal One, the Divine Gardener.
Who plants the sun, the moon, the stars in the heavens.
Who creates earth, the amazing garden upon which we live.
Who loosens rocks into teeming, incubating soil.
Who spreads the seeds of life in the seas, land, and skies
– which transform into beasts that swim, crawl and fly.
Who spreads a dazzling array of flora on field and plain.
Who plants dense forests and open moorland.
Who orchestrates nourishment through clouds, thunder and rain.
Praise the architect of earth and heaven
In whose lush garden we stand today.

-Ana Gobeldale, UK https://worshipwords.co.uk/call-to-worship-inspired-by-psalm-148-ana-gobledale-uk/


Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 and John 15: 1-8

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for the one I love
 a song about his vineyard: 
My loved one had a vineyard
 on a fertile hillside.
 2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it
 and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,
 but it yielded only bad fruit.

3 “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah,
 judge between me and my vineyard.
 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard
 than I have done for it?
 When I looked for good grapes,
   why did it yield only bad?
 5 Now I will tell you
 what I am going to do to my vineyard: 
I will take away its hedge,
 and it will be destroyed;
I will break down its wall,
 and it will be trampled.
 6 I will make it a wasteland,
 neither pruned nor cultivated,
 and briers and thorns will grow there.
 I will command the clouds
 not to rain on it.”
7 The vineyard of the Lord Almighty
 is the nation of Israel,
and the people of Judah
 are the vines he delighted in.
 And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed;
 for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#276 "We Gather Together" (all verses)

Call to Worship

Leader: God brings joy! So don't let go
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: God fills our lives with joy.

Leader: God listens to us! So don't stop
lifting our prayers with honest hearts.
People: God hears our words and silence.

Leader: God welcomes us! So don't stop
giving our hearts to God.
People: God graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.

Invocation
God of peace,
cause us to rejoice in you always,
make us gentle to everyone,
keep us from being anxious about anything—
help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving;
and let your peace
guard our hearts and minds
in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/
 

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#572 "Take Time to Be Holy" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

Praying Together

Dear Lord our God,
we are thankful that you are constantly at work in our lives.
You are…
    a help in times of difficulty
    a strength in times of weakness
    a guide when we feel lost and alone

We know that through Your Son, Jesus Christ,
You have the power…
    to transform lives
    to mend broken relationships
    to bring strength to the weary
    and hope to the broken hearted.

So we bring our worries and our burdens,
our hopes and dreams,
before your throne of grace,
knowing that you are the Lord of our lives and the hope of the world.
Lord we pray for your church here in Berea, in all it's many forms,
    for those that are thriving and those that have lost a sense of direction.
We give thanks for our own church and its people,
    and gladly acknowledge all the gifts you have given us.
Grant us your help and guidance and support.
We too, have problems and needs and concerns—
   worries about ourselves, our families and those we love.
We remember in our prayers today…
    those who are worried about their health and what the future might hold
    those who feel anxious or depressed or afraid
    those who are in hospital
    those with burdens they find impossible to share
    those who still mourn the loss of someone dear to their heart.

And we pray for ourselves—
    that we might know the gentle authority of Jesus
    in all parts of our lives—
    leading us, guiding us, encouraging and directing us,
now and always. Amen.

— adapted from Starters for Sunday, on the Church of Scotland’s website. 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#395 "Seed, Scattered and Sown"(all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#56 "For the Beauty of the Earth" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 

Leader: God brings joy! So don't let go
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: God fills our lives with joy.

Leader: God listens to us! So don't stop
lifting our prayers with honest hearts.
People: God hears our words and silence.

Leader: God welcomes us! So don't stop
giving our hearts to God.
People: God graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.
 
Praise Hymn#276 "We Gather Together" (all verses)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation

God of peace,
cause us to rejoice in you always,
make us gentle to everyone,
keep us from being anxious about anything—
help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving;
and let your peace
guard our hearts and minds
in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn#714 "For the Fruit of All Creation" (all verses)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#572 "Take Time to Be Holy" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
Praying Together

Dear Lord our God,
we are thankful that you are constantly at work in our lives.
You are…
    a help in times of difficulty
    a strength in times of weakness
    a guide when we feel lost and alone

We know that through Your Son, Jesus Christ,
You have the power…
    to transform lives
    to mend broken relationships
    to bring strength to the weary
    and hope to the broken hearted.

So we bring our worries and our burdens,
our hopes and dreams,
before your throne of grace,
knowing that you are the Lord of our lives and the hope of the world.
Lord we pray for your church here in Berea, in all it's many forms,
    for those that are thriving and those that have lost a sense of direction.
We give thanks for our own church and its people,
    and gladly acknowledge all the gifts you have given us.
Grant us your help and guidance and support.
We too, have problems and needs and concerns—
   worries about ourselves, our families and those we love.
We remember in our prayers today…
    those who are worried about their health and what the future might hold
    those who feel anxious or depressed or afraid
    those who are in hospital
    those with burdens they find impossible to share
    those who still mourn the loss of someone dear to their heart.

And we pray for ourselves—
    that we might know the gentle authority of Jesus
    in all parts of our lives—
    leading us, guiding us, encouraging and directing us,
now and always. Amen.

— adapted from Starters for Sunday, on the Church of Scotland’s website. 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#395 "Seed, Scattered and Sown"(all verses)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#56 "For the Beauty of the Earth" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #461 "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service" (verse 4)