Embedded Files
A Service for the Lord’s Day
7th Sunday after Pentecost
(*Please stand in body or in spirit)
The Instrumental Prelude and Time for Meditation
Announcements, Rev. Hana Elliott
Celebrations and the Birthday Song,
Happy birthday, happy birthday, your friends are all singing.
May the year that is coming bring gladness to you.
May it teach you to be helpful, kindhearted, and loving.
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.
*Call to Worship: (1)
Leader: God of life and love
People: We rejoice in your abundant gifts.
Leader: God of all peoples and all places
People: We celebrate your generosity and grace.
Leader: God of the earth and the heavens
People: We praise you for your provision.
Leader: God of life and love
People: We bless your holy name.
*Hymn #15 “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
*Call to Confession: (2)
Paul writes: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Confident in our liberation from sin, let us confess our sin before God and one another, first in silence, and then aloud together.
*Prayer of Confession:
(Begin with individual silent prayer before joining in unison)
Life-giving Lord, you have planted your word within us, but we have hardened our hearts so that it cannot take root. We have failed to water and nurture these seeds of life, and so they have withered away. We have become distracted by the everyday cares and temptations of the world, and let them choke what you have planted. We have refused to tend your communal garden, and to care for each other. Forgive us, Master Gardener. Grant that our hearts may be fertile soil, where your word flourishes and yields a harvest, bringing salvation to ourselves and those about us.
*Assurance of Forgiveness:
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of God dwells in you. Know that we are forgiven, and be at peace. Thanks be to God!
*The Gloria #108, In Unison
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen
*Passing of the Peace:
In forgiving us, God has sown seeds of peace, so that peace may flourish among and between each one of us. May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination:
Let us pray together: God, your word goes out and does not return empty, but prospers that for which it was sent. Plant the seeds of your gospel in each of our hearts until we bloom and overflow with your passion to serve in a world that is wasting. Amen.
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13 (pg. 1152)
Second Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (pg. 1526)
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord
People: Let our thanks and praise be to God!
Children’s Message:
Sermon:
*Hymn “In the Bulb there Is A Flower” (Insert)
*Affirmation of Faith: (3)
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Call to Offering: (4)
This is how the earth praises God: The meadows clothe themselves with flocks and the valleys deck themselves with simmering fields of grain, sharing their bounty with the rest of creation. We, too, are to worship God by being abundant and fruitful with our lives, offering up our yields as if they were songs of joyful praise. Let us worship God with our gifts.
Offering: Monetary gifts may be placed in the offering plates as they are passed through the pews.
*Doxology #109
Praise God from whom all blessing flow, Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication:
Let us pray together: You call us to sow your word in all times and places, even when the ground is hard and shallow. For faith is a gift that comes from you, and fruitful discipleship is the work of your Spirit in us. May the gifts we offer this day spread the good news of abundant life in Christ. Amen.
Prayers of the People:
…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 debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Choral Response,
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen
*Hymn #337 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
*Charge & Blessing:
*Choral Response: “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you;
here my tender comfort still you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.
*The Choral Amen:
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(1)adapted from http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/worship-resources/item/2802-harvest-festival-resources-2010.
(2) from Romans 8:2
(3) from Romans 8
(4) from How the Earth Praises God. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
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