July 8, 2018
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: To a Wild Rose Edward MacDowell
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #14 For the Beauty of the Earth
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: By an’ By
Call to Worship
One: Great is our God and greatly to be praised. Worship the One whose grace covers all our needs.
All: The God of hosts is with us here.
We praise, with joy, God’s holy name.
One: Ponder God’s steadfast love in the temple. Practice sharing that love while we are together.
All: God’s love is amazing, beyond our understanding. We seek to share the love we are receiving.
One: We are here to be equipped for the journey of life. We have gathered that our daily witness might be
empowered.
All: Sometimes we are not strong enough to love. We pray that God will use our weakness for good.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God of faithful elders and lowly followers, our sure defense and faithful guide, we invoke your presence among us in the time of praise. Your name is proclaimed through all the earth, and by your hand we are made victorious over the unclean spirits and unbeliefs that stalk our paths. When we ponder your greatness, we are filled with awe. When we come to your holy mountain, we are amazed. Who are we to approach your majesty? How can we fulfill the covenant you offer us? Come Spirit of truth, to show us the way. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
When we ponder the vast universe at your command, O God, we are astounded. We are nothing, except that you have given us life. How often we have squandered that gift in meaningless pursuits, killing time we might have invested in honoring you! Instead we have belittled your prophets and made light of your commands. We alternate between boasting over our personal accomplishments and near – panic at our inability to cope with life’s changes. O God, we confess our desperate need for healing, forgiveness and a new perspective on life. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of silent prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
Gloria Patri: #583 Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Reading – Psalm 48
(Page 637 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from Hebrew Scriptures – 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10
(Page 346 HS in the pew bible)
*Hymn: #649 Amazing Grace (Verses 1-4)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: God is My Shepard Devorak
Jack Brown, Soloist
*Doxology: #607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Scripture Reading – Mark 6:1-13
(Page 49 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Spiritual and Religious”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Response: #469 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (To be sung by all) Lord, listen to your children praying. Lord, send your spirit in this place. Lord listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
*Hymn: #10 Sing Glory to the Name of God
Benediction
Postlude (Please remain seated): At the River
Aaron Copland
(* Please stand if able.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. Today’s hosts are Barbara & Lee Collins.
Please see an usher if you would like to use a hearing device.
Many thanks to:
Dick Taber for serving as lay reader
Malcolm Brown & Jack Brown for special music this morning
Pat Plamer & Stephanie Tierney for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Tom Splaine, Joe K., Linda & Peter Davis, John & Jan Hazard, Stan & Pam Brown, Ron Ham, Sal Accardo, Don & Bonnie Cuneo, Violet Hvasta, Bob “Bullet” Sherwood, Sandra Schafer, Mary O’Neill, Laura Hawks, Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Peter, Connie, Cheryl and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction
CALENDAR
Monday: 3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Wednesday: 11 am Worship at Noble Horizons
Saturday: 11 am Memorial Service for Ann Noble
OPPORTUNITIES
COFFEE HOUR
The Coffee Hour sign up is in the Parish Hall. If you have never served at Coffee Hour and would like to “learn the ropes,” please sign your name in the column marked “helper” and you will be paired with an experienced Coffee Hour server. If you have served before, please sign up for a Sunday or two and consider inviting someone new to join you!