August 9, 2020

Morning Worship Text: August 9, 2020

Ordinary Time - A Season for Spiritual Growth
Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery. Today you may want a picture or a model of a boat in your worship area.

Welcome

Musical Meditation

Focus

Lighting the Christ Candles      We light our candles or lights.

Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: "Let there be light," and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!

Call to Worship  

Voice One: We gather together to worship God,
Voice Two: who comes to us when we least expect it,
Voice One: who calls us out of the safety of our ordered lives
Voice Two: and invites us to join Him in the adventure of faith.
Voice One: Let’s worship God together!

-by Christine Longhurst, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/08/call-to-worship-matthew-1422-33.html

Invocation    We pray together in unison.

Gracious God,
we gather once again to offer You praise and thanksgiving
for Your unfailing love and faithfulness,
shown most clearly through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Grant us grace to worship You in spirit and in truth.
Through the power of Your Holy Spirit,
open our eyes to recognize You here among us.
Give us courage to step out in faith to meet You,
and confidence to follow where You lead.

For You are our God,
and we are Your people, called by Your name.

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

-by Christine Longhurst, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/opening-prayer-matthew-1422-33.html

Scripture:  Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[a] for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind,[b] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Footnotes
Matthew 14:24 Other ancient authorities read was out on the sea
Matthew 14:30 Other ancient authorities read the wind

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Sermon


Invitation to the Table The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.


Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.


Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Will Bondurant and Judy Halstead.


Words of Institution We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.


The Lord's Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.


Prayer of Thanksgiving "The Lord's Prayer"

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

God, at your breath the wind blows, the tides run and waves roll. No wonder Jesus Christ is at home walking in your world. Though we are your children, we confess that we do not always move so easily in your world. We do not quickly understand Your ways.

You move towards us in our time:
We see you. We hear you. We long to know you better.

We are easily discouraged when life takes unexpected turns
and our carefully laid plans and dreams come to nothing.
We confess that we are quick to give up when things get difficult,
and quick to question Your presence and Your power.

You move towards us in our time:
We see you. We hear you. We long to know you better.

Forgive us, you who walk on wind and tide, and make peace in our hearts.
Grant us patience to wait for Your good timing.
Open our eyes to recognize Your leading in our lives—
to listen for Your gentle whisper when we least expect it.

You move towards us in our time:
We see you. We hear you. We long to know you better.

And then give us courage to step out in faith and obedience,
trusting in Your leading even when we cannot yet see the outcome.
We praise You for Your faithful love,
and pray that You would make us worthy to bear Your name.

You move towards us in our time:
We see you. We hear you. We long to know you better.

Amen.

-adapted from a prayer by Christine Longhurst, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/prayer-of-confession-commitment-august.html



Challenge for Discipleship


Blessing     We speak in unison.


The Light that was in one place and at one time,
is now in all places and all times,
for God has placed the light in us. 
We abide in peace!