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
WelcomePrelude
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 & ConcernsPrayer 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 TableCommunion 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 DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn#668 "For the Healing of the Nations" (all verses)
Blessing
10:40 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
WelcomePrelude
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
ScriptureChoir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & ConcernsPrayer 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 TableCommunion 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 DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn#668 "For the Healing of the Nations" (all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn#461 "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service"(verse 4)
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