Bulletin – Sunday, June 14, 2020

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

Jesus promised that where two or three gather in his name, he would be with them.
And so we gather together this morning, and we believe that Jesus is with us.

As we do, how do we recognize the face of God in everyone around us.
We meet together in community and know that we are part of something much larger than ourselves alone.

May our time together be a time of great blessing as we worship God together.
As we worship in word and song may we find God in this time.

(adapted from Bob Root, Gathering, Pentecost, 1 2020, page 24)

Hymn – “Creator God You Gave Us Life”

Creator God you gave use life,
Your image formed within our souls,
Yet through the mist of time and space,
We search for that which makes us whole.

Through hands that paint majestic skies,
And voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page,
We comprehend your mystery.

In every flower and every tree,
We see your great diversity,
Yet greater still we see your love,
Expressed in our humanity.

Through hands that paint majestic skies,
And voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page,
We comprehend your mystery.

When with our hearts, our hands, our minds,
We share our gifts with all the world,
Our spirits soar beyond the veil,
To touch the very face of God.

Through hands that paint majestic skies,
And voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page,
We comprehend your mystery.

Prayer

We come together today offering to you, O God, our whole selves: our flawed and quirky, incomplete but striving selves. Awaken us to discover the unique service you’ve place into our lives. Encourage us to accept the opportunities for helping and healing that lie before us, just as we are, and using us to do your will in the world.

We forget sometimes that you accept us as we are but we in turn to not accept others We place ourselves in positions of judgement and condemnation, rather than places of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. We don’t acknowledge your call to do your will in the world, but would rather do our will in the world, living for our own gain at the expense of others.

Give us heart to hear your call, minds to discern your call, and the will to follow your call. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

(adapted from Gill Le Favre, Gathering, Pentecost, 1 2020, page 39)

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

Solo – “There is a Quiet Understanding”

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 18:1-15
Roman 5:1-8

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Living in Hope”

Hymn – “Though Ancient Walls”

Though ancient walls may still stand proud
And racial strife be fact,
Though boundaries may be lines of hate,
Proclaim God’s saving act!

Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!

When vested power stands firm entrenched
And breaks another’s back,
When waste and want live side by side,
It’s Gospel that we lack.

Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!

The truth we seek in varied scheme,
The life that we pursue,
Unites us in a common quest
For self and world made new.

Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!

The Response

Prayer

Gracious God, we pray for the faithful all over the world, that all who love you may be united in your service. We pray for the church…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

We pray for the peoples and leaders of the nations, that they many be reconciled one to another in pursuit of your justice and peace. We pray for the world…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

We pray for all who suffer from prejudice, greed or violence, that the heart of humanity may warm with your tenderness. We pray especially for all prisoners of politics or religion, and for all refugees. We pray for all who are oppressed…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

We pray for all in need by reason of famine, flood or earthquake, that they may know the hope of your faithfulness through the help of others. We pray especially for the people of…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

We pray for the land, the sea, and the sky, that we may live with respect in creation and use your gifts with reverence. We pray for the earth…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

We pray for all who suffer the pain of sickness, loneliness, fear, or loss, that those whose names are in our hearts, in the hearts of others, or known to you alone, may receive strength and courage. We pray for those in need…God, hear our prayer.
And in your love, answer.

God of compassion, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, as we continue to pray in the words that Jesus taught us:
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 and ever. Amen.

Hymn – “Life Into Hope”

Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
The oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God’s own jubilee!

Live into hope the blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear,
A vision of our God brought near.

Live into hope of liberty,
The right to speak, the right to be,
The right to have one’s daily bread,
To hear God’s word and thus be fed.

Live into hope of captives freed
From chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release
To faith and hope and joy and peace.

Benediction

Let us go forth as the God’s people, and as we go we live and proclaim hope. Let us go forth as God’s people, and as we go we live and proclaim a way of love and compassion. Let us go forth as God’s people, and as we go we live as Jesus’ disciples in the world today. Let us go forth as God’s people. Amen.

Response – “Send Us Out”

Send us out in the power of Your Spirit, Lord,
May our lives bring Jesus to the world.
May each thought and word bring glory to Your name,
Send us out in Your Spirit, Lord, we pray.