Online Text August 22, 2021

 Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
August 22, 2021


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. We are in the midst of a summer series on Wisdom. Include something in your worship center that reminds you of wisdom.

Worship 

Invocation We begin with prayer.
God of small seeds and mighty plants, you nurture our faith. With your love, our faith grows to produce acts of loving kindness for you in this world. Help us to joyfully serve you all our days, knowing that you are always watching over us. Prepare our hearts to receive your word and our spirits to respond in eagerness to serve you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
— written by Nancy C. Townley, on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/



Call to Worship
Voice One: We look at the tiniest of seeds and wonder what will happen
Voice Two: From that small seed will grow a large shrub.
Voice One: Although we consider our gifts to be small and insignificant,
Voice Two: God will use our gifts in miraculous ways.
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places.
— written by Nancy C. Townley, on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/






Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Witness
 

Morning Prayer:
For all the blessings of this life, we give thanks to You, Creator God. For families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers, who nurture us, that the love of God may grow within. That Your love, your Word, like a seed,  may grow to produce in us, good fruit.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For the leaders of nations, states, cities and towns, that they may lead with strong hearts and gentle hands, with generous spirits, with compassion and mercy, with wisdom and grace. May they reflect your will guiding all their actions and decisions.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who serve in harms way, those who live in dangerous places in the paths of wildfires, floods, earthquakes or hurricanes, those who live in areas of war and strife, those who live in fear, those who worry about employment, bills, food, and struggle just to find dignity in life. May your grace bring peace and safety to all people, one to another.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who suffer from any illness or disease— of mind, body, or spirit. Restore these, and all those we carry in our hearts, to fullness of health— health as only you, O God, can bring. May your mercy shower each of us with healing mercy and love.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who are dying, and for those who have died. Send forth your comforting love. Give solace to those who mourn. Console those who grieve. May your grace surround us like a mantle upon our heads, a shawl upon our shoulders, a hand, to hold our hand.
May your love, be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.
Amen
— written by Terri and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/



Word
Scripture: Proverbs 30:24-28 & Matthew 17:14-21
Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people without strength,
    yet they provide their food in the summer;
the badgers are a people without power,
    yet they make their homes in the rocks;
the locusts have no king,
    yet all of them march in rank;
the lizard can be grasped in the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
-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.

Meditation

Challenge for Discipleship

Welcome- The Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table
All are welcome to partake in the bread and cup at the table of God's love. It is Christ who is our host. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.

Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Judy Halstead and Mark Workman.

Words of Institution 

Prayer of Response
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.


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.   And we abide in peace. Amen.