Bulletin – Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, August 25, 2024
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

We Gather as People of Faith

Welcome

Announcements

Lighting the Christ Candle

One:   In the depths of our souls, we are a people of hope.
All:      In times of turmoil, our hope is often extinguished.

One:   We light this candle to reveal the hope that lies buried.
All:      We have faith that hope can be revived.

One:   The Christ Candle is lit to remind us that hope is not lost.
All:      Our hope is found by Christ’s saving grace that lights our way.

Call to Worship

One:   As we join in worship, we are mindful of God’s presence.
All:      In this holy place God’s glory is revealed.

One:   Let us voice our praise with songs and prayers.
All:      We sing and pray with joy and adoration.

One:   We listen for God’s Spirit.
All:      We are ready for the Holy Spirit to touch our lives this day.

One:   May the God that reaches beyond these walls be glorified.
All:      We glorify our boundless God.

Hymn – “Creator God You Gave Us Life” (MV #27)

Creator God, you gave us 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.

Introduction to Prayer

Prayer of Approach and Confession

One:   Dear God of mercy, we are forever grateful for your love. We come before you with profound respect and adoration. We need to be reminded that as our creator, you want us to live to our full potential. You are the One who made us, and we ask your forgiveness when we fall short of your image of what we can be.
All:      There are times, dear God, when we get discouraged and wonder why you don’t do more. We bury ourselves in self-pity and give in to feelings of hopelessness. We sometimes forget to support those around us when they are in need or say words that are mean or hurtful. Help us forgiving God when we stumble. Show us how to be the kind of people that you intended. Give us strength of your Spirit to lift us to a better place that resembles your kingdom. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Sung Response – “Alleluia” (MV #50)

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-42

¹ Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

⁶ Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

¹⁰ And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, ¹¹ so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

²² Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. ²³ He said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, ²⁴ the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. ²⁵ Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, “There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.” ²⁶ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

²⁷ ‘But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! ²⁸ Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; ²⁹ that your eyes may be open night and day towards this house, the place of which you said, “My name shall be there”, that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. ³⁰ Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray towards this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling-place; heed and forgive.

⁴¹ ‘Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name ⁴² —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays towards this house.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 84

One:   How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
All:      My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

One:   Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
All:      Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah.

One:   Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
All:      As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.

One:   They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
All:      O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.

One:   Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
All:      For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.

One:   For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
All:      O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

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

Hymn – “How Lovely, God” (VU #801)

How lovely, God, how lovely is your abiding place;
My soul is longing, fainting, to feast upon your grace.
The sparrow finds a shelter, a place to build her nest;
And so your temple calls us within its walls to rest.

In your blest courts to worship, O God, a single day
Is better than a thousand if I from you should stray.
I’d rather keep the entrance and claim you as my Lord,
Then revel in the riches the ways of sin afford.

A sun and shield forever are you, O God Most High;
You shower us with blessings, no good will you deny.
The saints, your grace receiving, from strength to strength shall go,
And from their life shall rivers of blessing overflow.

Meditation

Hymn – “All the Way May Saviour Leads Me” (VU #635)

All the way my Saviour leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell,
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me, cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul a-thirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!

All the way my Saviour leads me; O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed, immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages, “Jesus led me all the way!”

We Respond to God’s Word

Invitation to Share

Offering Response – “What Can I Do?” (MV #191)

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

Offering Prayer

Prayers of the People

One:   When you hear “Lord, in your Mercy” please reply with “Hear our prayer”.

One:   Dear God, in our limited way we don’t fully understand the mystery that you are. We ask for greater insight, to draw closer to you in our meditation and prayer life. May we see your beauty in nature and appreciate the gift of creation in each child that is born. Help us to acknowledge your presence in every aspect of our lives. Lord in your mercy.
All:      Hear our prayer.

One:   Loving God, we face a world that has many challenges. We know that we cannot fix them and make them go away on our own. Help us, with your Spirit’s strength, to find ways to make our community, our country, our world, a place of peace and love. We pray that no one will go hungry, everyone will have shelter and clothing to wear. Give us your power to make a difference in people’s lives. Lord in your mercy.
All:      Hear our payer.

One:   Creator God, we know that you love all of creation. We ask that we be mindful of everything you have made. May we respect and care for the earth that has so much beauty. Help us not to take it for granted and to realize that our treatment of our precious resources has consequences. Lord in your mercy.
All:      Hear our prayer.

One:   Healing God, give us compassionate hearts that reach out to those who are suffering in any way. We pray that anyone who is sick will be comforted. We pray that those who may be struggling financially will be supported. May we rally around our friends and family, so they know they are not alone. To you, our caring God, we bring these names before you today…Lord in your mercy.
All:      Hear our prayer.

One:   Let us now pray the words that Jesus taught his disciples:
All:      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 them that 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.

We Go Into God’s World

Hymn – “Body, Mind and Spirit” (MV #153)

Body, mind and spirit, holy, earthly trinity,
Joy of God, Creator, life-lived abundantly.

Body, mind and spirit, challenged, battered by earth’s ills,
Know that Christ rests with in us, and stormy water stills.

Body, mind and spirit, nurtured in community,
Prayer, concert, loving action, faithful humanity.

Body, mind and spirit, in God’s image born to be.
Sing, rejoice in life most sacred. Revel in mystery.

Benediction

One:   God is here, there, and everywhere. Every detail of our lives can be an expression of this wonderful realization. So much of nature, so many of the wild beasts who roam have already figured this out. Like them, we are free to express ourselves in ways that bring joy to us and the world. Let your worship extend far beyond these walls.
All:      The love that God offers provides such a solid foundation. With the support of the Holy Spirit, we know we can weather any storm. As we continue our journey with the Holy Trinity, we join Jesus on the road to God’s holy kingdom. Amen.

Response – “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (VU #575 verses 1 and 3)

I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, any time.
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, any time.

I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, any time.
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, any time.