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Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship We worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives. We need not look up to find God… we need only to look around… within ourselves… beyond ourselves… into the eyes of another. We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God… we need only to listen to the music of life…the words of children, the questions of the curious, the rhythm of the heartbeat. Let us worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives. *Hymn 39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness Prayer of Confession God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You know our thoughts, our weaknesses, our sins, and you love us still. Forgive us when we don’t believe such love is true or possible, when we wonder how you could love us just as we are, When we forget our intricate instruction, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made…in your image! Remove from our minds every thought that keeps us from you. Break down the walls, push aside the pride, and help us trust anew. You know our hearts and you love us still. Amen. *Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am 698 Assurance of Forgiveness Nothing is impossible with God. There is no place you can go, no end of the earth to which you can run. There is nothing on earth or beyond death that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are forgiven and freed to live in God’s infinite love, grace, and peace. Scripture Reading Lamentations 3:23-33 Moments With Our Young Disciples Scripture Reading Mark 5:21-43 Morning Message Sometimes I hit a mental block when preparing for worship and preaching. Because I follow the three-year lectionary cycle, I usually avoid that problem. But, sometimes, things happen that make me doubt my plans. I have occasionally confessed this to my kids, and they are so helpful. “Hymn sing, Mom! Hymn sing!” If only it were that easy. That’s where I found myself this week. Mark introduces us to two beautiful healing stories. They reflect life in Jesus’ day, which I can usually work around. But, sometimes, it just hits too close to home and I hesitate to go there. In our Mark text, Jesus is summoned to the home of Jairus. Jairus is an important man. He has social status. He has status in the religious community. He is wealthy. On this day, his daughter was very sick, close to death. He calls for Jesus to come. But, before Jesus can make his way to her, a woman who had suffered an illness for twelve years, approaches him. This woman has suffered physical and emotional pain. She has been isolated from her loved ones. She could not go about the town or go to the market, or even serve her family, because, in that day, she was considered unclean. To interact with her would render others unclean, too. Twelve years she endured this. It has never occurred to me to ask this question, but, influenced by current events, it just churns within me. Did women and girls have no right to personal privacy in Jesus’ day? How and why and what kind of mechanism was used to keep track of a woman’s personal calendar? Why was this a public matter? Would we tolerate it today? Which was more important- living a full life, filled with family, love, and grace- or being controlled by a system of ritual purity that excluded woman and girls from human interaction for at least one half of every month during their child-bearing years? There’s a gospel song that goes, “Give Me that Old Time Religion, it’s good enough for me.” I say, “ No, thanks!” I, for one, would not want to return to those old-time religious practices. This woman has lost a lot, but the one thing that can’t be taken from her, is her belief and trust in the power of Jesus. If only she could touch a little bit of his robe, just a little bit of Jesus- she would be healed. She could resume her life. But, could Jesus? If she touched Jesus, even the hem of his robe, Jesus would be rendered unclean, too. He would have to submit to the purity rituals. This woman acted at great risk. She didn’t announce herself. Jesus did not seek her out. We don’t even know if Jesus was at all aware of her before she touched him. But, Jesus felt the power “go out” from him. When she was identified, she poured out her whole story and Jesus gives her his blessing, saying her faith had made her well. Note: Jesus does not order her to the priests, he did not send her to the ritual baths, and he didn’t go there himself. By the time Jesus has finished his encounter with this woman, report came that the daughter of Jairus had died. Or so they thought. But, Jairus persisted and so did Jesus. Upon entering the place where she lay, Jesus stretched out his hand and simply says, “Talitha cum.” “Little girl, or more precisely, “little lamb,” get up!” And to the others, he says, “Give her something to eat.” Dying bodies have no need for food. Only the living. She would live. These are dramatic stories. Miraculous stories of the power of Jesus to heal, to restore. In each case, we are to believe that the faith and trust of those in need had affected their healing. OK. But, what about the other millions of faithful believers who have stood in need of a miracle themselves and a miracle did not come? What about their faith? Is it defective? Of course not. Sometimes Jesus restores the health of the sick. But, sometimes this does not happen. Or, at least, we can’t see any of the normal signs of healing. But, that doesn’t mean that we can’t be made whole, at peace with God, placing ourselves fully into God’s care. Here’s where our Matthew text comes thru for us. He urges: “Come to me, all you who are heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” A yoke is a device that is applied to two beasts of burden so that they move together- at the same pace and in the same direction. If one stops to drink, it’s safe to assume, the other also drinks. If one stops to rest, the other does the same. This is how close Jesus is to us. We do not carry our burden alone. We are yoked to Jesus who helps us carry that heavy load. Ed and I have been walking at the mall while this heat wave has visited us. On Friday, we ran into a friend who has suffered greatly over the years. But, here she was, strolling two of her three youngest grandchildren, the first girls born into the family in three generations. She was not suffering. She was glowing. Healing and wholeness come in ways we cannot imagine or predict. I know you probably hear way too much about my grandchildren, but, they do provide good sermon material. Tad, the younger one, was recently sick. It started out as restlessness and crying in the night. His parents would comfort him and return him to his bed. After a day or two, a fever developed and then an earache. A visit to the doctor was in order. Ear infection, sinus infection, and tonsillitis. Two kinds of antibiotics. And a lot of TLC. Tad still hurts and the medicine upsets his stomach, and he can’t go the neighborhood pool, which he loves. But, just being in the presence or the lap of Mommy or Daddy is all the reassurance Tad needs. He feels better the closer he is to them. I am aware of some of your burdens. I am aware of the burdens some of you carry for others. Mother Teresa used to say, there is always someone to pray for and there’s always a front step to sweep. It is always appropriate to seek God’s healing and wholeness- for ourselves and all those experiencing brokenness. When we hear news of tragedy, someone always asks, “Where was God?” God was with his child, no matter the age or condition, and God was the first to shed a tear at the loss of life. It would be great if we could wake up tomorrow, blissfully unaware of the problems we may run into as the day unfolds, and think, “This might just be the best day ever!” But, in case it’s not, let me offer this prayer for all of us: Lord, I want to be made well. I reach for the hem of your garment, and there I find those who clothe me with love, and deep listening, and encouragement, and wisdom, and gentle correction, just as you would. I ask for your hands on me and I get hugs, and emails, and texts with GIFs, and prayers said on my behalf, as if they had come directly from you. Though others take me by the hand and feed me spiritual and physical food that revives my soul and body. out of the abundance of the health you offer. May I share your peace widely. Laura Stephens-Reed *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithe and Offering Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 443 There Is a Redeemer *Blessing Go now, with your hope set on Jesus Christ. Let the Spirit guide you. Let your righteousness shine like the sun until darkness and light are one. And wherever you go, whether you scale the highest heavens or plunge to the depths, may God’s presence be known to you, may Christ Jesus welcome you into his embrace, and may the Spirit assure you that you are loved. *Postlude Welcome and Announcements
Prelude *Call to Worship Come, sing praises to God! Rejoice in God’s presence, for he is our God: Father to the fatherless, and the defender of all who need protection; the One in whom the lonely find a home, and the prisoner finds release! *Hymn 370 This Is My Father’s World Prayer of Confession God of power and love, we hear the stories in scripture, the ones that speak of your strength and miraculous power, and wonder if you still act to still storms and raise twelve-year-old girls from the dead. We still have storms that destroy and diseases that rob people of life. We still need your help, aware that help may come in ways we cannot imagine or expect. Forgive us when our faith is trembling, when our hearts are troubled and our minds worn out. Help us to believe that we are your beloved children, whom you will never leave nor forsake. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Fear not! God is always with us, stilling our storms, pointing us in hope’s direction, and restoring the joy of our salvation. Believe the good news of the gospel: know you are forgiven and live in God’s peace. Amen. Old Testament Reading Psalm 133 Pew Bible p. Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Mark 4: 35-41 Pew Bible p. Morning Message This is a Sunday that is so packed full of good material, I feel like a preacher can’t lose. If they are paying attention, that is. I learned this recently: It is believed that the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Fairmont, West Virginia, under the direction of a woman named Grace Golden Clayton, who was mourning the loss of her own father in the Monongah mining disaster. That event left over a thousand children fatherless. Let’s just take a beat here and think about it a moment. I can’t even imagine the devastation to the community, the grief and pain. Gone were life’s companions, gone were a family’s provider and protector. Gone was their security. What remained was their faith. So Grace Golden Clayton asked her Methodist pastor if they might set aside a Sunday to honor fathers, and so they did on Sunday, July 5, 1908. No record remains of the sermon delivered that day, and Grace did not seek to further the observance, so it was two years later that a woman in Seattle, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to pay tribute to her father, a veteran of the Civil War, and the single parent of six children. Dodd asked her pastor if he might preach about fathers on the first Sunday in June, but he told her he needed more time to prepare for such an important occasion. So, he proposed a special service focusing on fathers on the third Sunday of June and that tradition has endured. My good mentor and Quaker pastor, Philip Gulley, says we need a new definition, a new image of what it means to be a man, what it means to be a father. I’m a mother, and not really qualified to give my opinion in such a discussion, except to say that, in my own experience, the men who were successful fathers, had two important attributes: they were appropriately strong, assertive, protective, and bold, and appropriately attentive, supportive, tender, compassionate, and the best cheerleader a kid could have. A snapshot into how that played out in my husband’s family: Ed was in the band and played sports in school. Shortly after his father’s death said he hoped to be a dad after the order of his own-a man who proudly attended every game, even if it were to watch his son sit the bench. He was present and involved in every activity Ed undertook, which means other kids benefitted from his attention. Philip Gulley believes that the real measure of success for any man, whether or not he is a father, is to consider all the world’s children their own. To be as unswervingly devoted to their well- being as we are to our own. To be an effective parent and role model is to take a long view of life, to care as much for tomorrow’s world as today’s. It is to measure ourselves, men and women, not by what we accumulate, but by the service we have rendered. I didn’t know it, but I tested this out way back in my freshman year at Marshall. Speech class. The assignment was to deliver a persuasive speech. Is it still called that? Well I had some great material. I participated in campus ministry and I had just returned from Bluestone where people of faith from all over West Virginia, several college communities, and people interested in the cause of relieving hunger, had gathered for a weekend of education and advocacy. We talked about the importance of nutrition from life in the womb through every life stage. We talked about food deserts and poverty. We read a book called Diet for a Small Planet which advocates things like raising grass-fed livestock and how that could improve our health. Plant-based diets were explained in depth. We ate such meals that weekend and survived. I was excited about delivering that speech. I was 18 and I had a cause. Hank Sullivan was my teacher. Good Presbyterian, he gave me an A for my effort. The next class day a man delivered a rebuttal to my speech. His argument? He worked too hard to deny his own kids the best food money could by just so some poor kids with lazy parents could feed their families with food stamps. Let them eat beans and rice. His kids would have steak. This is the truth, I had never heard such an argument in my life and I was shocked. Later, Mr. Sullivan spoke with me and said I had just learned something important going forward. We might all live on the same planet, but, we interpret it from our own worldview. He encouraged me to continue to cast a wide vision, to learn as much as I could not only from my point of view, but the other side’s. He urged me to hang onto my idealism, and try not to get jaded when things got tough. I counted it as valuable fatherly advice and it has served me well. I have no idea what grade the other student received, but he never spoke to me after that day and went out of his way to huff past me on his way out the door most days. I guess I really offended him. My friend Philip says he has been thinking a lot about the emotional aspects of being a man and being a father. He says he has been thinking about the dispensing of affection and why it has taken him so long to appreciate its value. He credits this epiphany with becoming a grandfather. He says when his sons were little, it was very important to him to teach the boys about strength and discipline and how to face a hard and difficult world. So, he raised them with rules and expectations and demands. Now, he says, he’s a grandfather and sees matters differently. For example, Philip was given a red goose made of plaster used in a shoe store promotion for Red Goose Shoes. He says he admired it because it reminded him of his mother taking him to shop for shoes in Plainfield, Indiana when he was a kid. It was nostalgic. So, the plaster goose took up residence on their fireplace hearth and Philip told the boys to never pick it up. He didn’t want them to drop it and break it. It survived nearly 15 years without a scratch. Then one day, his little granddaughter, Madeline, picked it up and you know what happened. It broke into several pieces. His son, Spencer, came to him, and apologized. “Dad, don’t be upset, but Madeline broke your red goose.” The reaction was priceless: “Wow, how about that! I can’t believe she was strong enough to pick it up.” Spencer just shook his head, mystified, and said, “You would have killed us if we had done that.” And he’s right. He would have. But he has changed. Phil says he once thought the most important thing to teach children was responsibility and obedience and how to make it in this cruel world. But being a grandfather has taught him that there is more to manhood than that. It has mellowed him. I relate. Our four year old grandson spent the last several days with us. We’re finding all sorts of surprises. I have some large lanterns that we fill with candles at Christmas. One was sitting empty in the dining room. Tad turned it into a garage for his hot wheels! Our kitchen floor is as sticky as fly paper from all the spills. We’ll be in recovery for a month, but wouldn’t miss those days for anything in the world. But, you don’t have to be a grandparent to learn these things. Some of us are just slower learners than others. To all of you who are sons, brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and friends, may God bless you this day with both strength and tenderness. It’s what the world needs now. *Hymn 630 Fairest Lord Jesus *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn *Prayer of Dedication All that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours, O Lord, and of your own, we give you. Use us, and what we have gathered, in reaching the world with your love, through him who gave his life for us, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. *Hymn The West Virginia Hills Music: H. E. Engle Lyrics: Mrs. Ellen King Adopted in 1961 as an Official West Virginia State Song We will sing verses 1 and 4. The West Virginia hills, how majestic and how grand, with their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Immanuel’s land! Is it any wonder then, that my heart with rapture thrills, as I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia Hills! Chorus Oh, the hills, beautiful hills. How I love those West Virginia hills! If o’er sea or land I roam, still I’ll think of happy home, and my friends among the West Virginia hills. Oh, the West Virginia hills! I must bid you now adieu. In my home beyond the mountains I shall ever dream of you. In the evening time of life, if my Father only wills, I shall still behold the vision of those West Virginia hills. Chorus *Blessing Shine, O Lord, upon the homely mosaic of West Virginia’s land: upon her steep-hewn hills and angled draws, her maple-strewn valleys and ridges clad in mountain rhododendron. Shine, Lord, upon her citizens, armed only with freedom, scrappers all for such measure of dignity as fearlessness and faith may win. Shine, O God, into those deep recesses where thou hast abundant riches, that those who dig in the earth, and those who watch for their return, may know the radiance of thy light and the safety of thy love. Bright be the cleaning fire of thy truth in the hearts of the people, and in the public weal of their common life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Washington National Cathedral, prayed for the week starting March 1, 2020. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Carmina Gadelica, Vol. III Bless to me, O God, each thing mine eye sees; Bless to me, O God, each thing mine ear hears; Bless to me, O God, each fragrance that goes to my nostrils; the Three that seek my living soul. Bless to me, O God, each taste that goes to my lips, each note that goes to my song, each ray that guides my way, each thing I pursue, each lure that tempts my will, the zeal that seeks my living soul; the Three that seek my heart; the zeal that seeks my living soul; the Three that seek my heart. *Hymn 1 Holy, Holy, Holy Prayer of Confession God of grace, love, and communion, we confess that we have failed to love you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We ignore your commandments, stray from your way, and follow other gods. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sin and raise us to new life that we may serve you faithfully and give honor to your holy name. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Romans 8: 34; 2 Corinthians5:17 Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, And Christ has died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. Old Testament Reading Proverbs 8: 1-31 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading John 16:12-15 Morning Message Five words that strike terror in the heart of every preacher: “Explain the Trinity to me.” Good luck. We stammer around and try to compare God in three persons to things found in nature- like a three-leaved shamrock. Or to the three forms of water- ice, water, and vapor. I seriously tried to get a trinity illustration out of the robin family that took up residence on our windowsill, but I couldn’t really get any traction. It should reassure me and us that generations of Christians have debated the right way to explain this doctrine. It arose around the time of the Council of Nicaea, which convened in the fourth century. The trinity doctrine gets us in trouble with our Jewish and Muslim associates because we claim to worship one God as they do. Usually they are kind about it, but there have been some unnecessary insults hurled at those who do worship One God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In doing some research this week, I ran across an essay by Alyce McKenzie, a contemporary theologian. It is a unique take on the subject. I hope it is helpful. She writes, There is a Norwegian proverb that goes, “ All good things come in threes.” I’d agree with that as I have three children, all daughters. Alyce says she has friends who are parents to a young child, Katie. Good name. Katie’s mom, dad and grandmother all shared in childcare for little Katie. This incidence happened when she was two. Dad was preparing dinner. He left the oven door open while he turned around to retrieve a tray of chicken to be roasted. Then he heard the scream. Katie had come right behind him and put her hands directly on the inside of the oven door. It was right within her reach. Of course he rushed her to the hospital, calling his wife along the way. Katie lay quietly on a stretcher in the ER, the doctor applying medication and wrapping her burned hands. Katie kept her her eyes squeezed shut. Remarkably, she wasn’t crying. But she was mouthing over and over, these words: “Mommy, Daddy, Grandma. Mommy, Daddy, Grandma.” The Trinity according to Katie. We can all take a page out of a two-year-old’s playbook. When we are in trouble, unable to affect the outcome of some situation, we would do well to put such a mantra to work. Mine is, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” A good and effective one would be “Come, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” You see, when we concentrate on something repetitive, we can control wild-running thoughts and fears. We invoke the presence of the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. As Christians, the witness of Scripture is to the Power of Three, even though the term never appears in scripture. But we do have many many examples testifying of the function and nature of the Triune God. Fortunately, three seems to be easiest number to remember. The Rule of Three is a principle that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things. Audiences and readers are more likely to consume information presented in threes, like plays that have a beginning, a middle, and an end. The same could be said of sermons. Some preachers like to organize their thoughts like that. There is a Latin phrase, omne trium perfectum. Everything that comes in threes is perfection or complete. Then there are the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Three Billy Goats Bluff. We sit down to eat with a knife, fork, and spoon. We hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. We are threatened occasionally by lions, tigers, and bears. We buy a campaign hook, line, and sinker. We affirm that each American is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have three branches of government to help us achieve that end. Robert Frost said it this way, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life.” “It goes on.” And since it does go on, we should recognize that we have made it here to face another day. Let us call on the Power of the Three as we live out this day: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, acknowledging with gratitude the One who created us, the one who saves us, and the One who guides us. *Hymn 12 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed Glory to God p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 36 For the Fruit of All Creation *Blessing May God bless you this week, from morning’s waking til night’s folding. Bless your comings and goings, the spinning of your labor and lives. May the ones you meet, even those with whom you compete, be the better for it. God bless this week. God bless this journey. God bless your work and your leisure. Amen. William John Fitzgerald, A Contemporary Celtic Prayerbook, Chicago, IL, 1998. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Joel 1, 2 The Word of the Lord to the prophet: I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old shall dream dreams, and your young shall see visions. Prayer of the Day Christina Rosetti, 1830-1894 As the wind is your symbol, so forward our goings. As the dove, so launch us heavenward. As water, so purify our hearts. As a cloud, so abate our temptations. As dew, so revive our languor. As fire, purge out our dross. Amen. *Hymn 291 Spirit Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you poured out your Spirit upon the gathered disciples, creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith. We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us. We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as a people made one in Christ. Have mercy on us, O God. Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit, and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people, doing your will for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Forgiveness The Lord separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west. Know you are forgiven and freed to live in peace, to testify to the saving love of God through Jesus Christ, and are empowered by the indwelling Spirit. Amen. Time With Our Young Disciples Reading from Scripture Acts 2:1-8, 11b-21 Morning Message *Hymn 286 Breathe On Me, Breath of God, verses 1 and 4 *Affirmation of Faith From A Brief Statement of Faith, p. 38, section 4 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithe and Offering Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 48 Rain Down Congregational Meeting *Blessing Women: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Men: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Leader: Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us. All: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Let us give thanks for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties, for all the wonder of our country’s story. We give you thanks, O God. For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth. We give you thanks, O God. For those, who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world’s common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows. We give you thanks, O God. For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service. We give you thanks, O God. Almighty God, and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering them with gratitude and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen. Permission for one-time use in worship granted by The Armed Forces Chaplains’ Board, Washington, D.C. *Hymn 331 God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand, verses 1 and 2 Prayer of Confession God of every nation, as we remember those who gave their lives for the sake of the nation, let us be stirred to action in their memory. We confess that we have not done all that is possible to promote peace and justice in our world. We have not loved our neighbors, let alone our enemies. Forgive us for failing to live up to your commandments. Empower us to work for your kingdom in this world, and welcome us by your grace into your eternal realm. *Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Amen. First Reading Micah 6:6-8 Moments With Our Young Disciples New Testament Reading Romans 8:31-39 The Morning Message *Hymn 730 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithe and Offering Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 331 God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand, verses 3 and 4 *Blessing Send your peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for your bountiful gifts. Send your peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife, we may enjoy your bliss. Send your peace, O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in light of your grace and mercy. Send your peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision, and in your light, all darkness may vanish. Send your peace, O Lord, that we, your children of earth, may unite in one family. Hazrat Inayat Khan *Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2024
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