Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 21, 2019
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
Prelude: Hymne D’Action de Grâce “Te Deum” J. Langlais
We praise Thee, O God. We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the Earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting,
5TH CENTURY MONASTIC HYMN OF PRAISE
Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Introit: Meditation Larry Hochman
Call to Worship
ONE: Christ is in our midst!
How will you bid grace welcome?
MANY: We will throw open the doors to our hearts. We will dare to be delighted!
Christ is in our midst!
How will you bid mystery welcome?
We will make ourselves ready. We will lay down our burdens and set aside our distractions.
Christ is in our midst!
How will you bid joy welcome?
With laughter and song, silence and praise:
let us worship God!
Unison Prayer of Invocation
Wonderful, surprising God, you bring us grace when we are discouraged, mystery when we are anxious, and joy when we least expect it. Help us, now, to abide in your presence. Be our welcome Guest. Show us how to receive what you are offering. May we remain open even to what seems too incredible to be true — for with you, so much more is possible than we have imagined. We pray this in the name of your Glorious Impossible, Jesus the Christ: Amen.
✠ Hymn (insert) Be Thou My Vision SLANE
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Gracious, inviting God, you continually provide us with opportunities to practice generous hospitality. But our fear of difference, our reluctance to share, and our desire to be in control so often water down our welcome. Because we long for what is familiar and comfortable, we have difficulty honoring the stranger as a sacred guest who bears the face of Christ. We grow weary, God. We pray for restoration.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
✠ Gloria #583 GLORIA (Taizé)
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Psalter: Psalm 15
ONE: O Holy One, who may find lodging in Your dwelling place? Who may live in Your presence?
MANY: Those who walk Life’s path unswervingly,
And do what is faithful,
And speak the truth from their heart;
Who do not defame with their tongue,
Nor do any harm to their friends,
Nor take up insults against their neighbors;
In whose eyes those who affront God’s intentions are contemptible,
While those who put their trust in the Most High
are cherished;
Who stand by their commitments,
Even to their own wounding;
Who lend money without interest,
And do not collude against the poor.
Those who do these things shall never be shaken or displaced.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-23
(Pg. 244 in the Old Testament in the pew Bible)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Song of Light Ruth Barrett Arno
Jack Brown, baritone
✠ Doxology: #609 LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
✠ Prayer of Dedication
All that we have is yours, generous God; we are your caretakers. Bless these tithes and offerings that we return to you, so they may become a bountiful feast for all who need to be filled with good things. Open our eyes to see the strangers you call us to welcome. Empower us to receive them as you do, with unconditional hospitality. May we delight in the gifts you send through each neighbor. We ask in Jesus’ name: Amen.
✠ Hymn (insert) Dear God, Embracing Humankind REST
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42
(Pg. 387 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: Just One Thing Pastor John Nelson
Pastoral Prayer| Silent Prayer | Lord’s Prayer (debts)
✠ Hymn: #361 O Christ, the Great Foundation AURELIA
Benediction
Response: The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Postlude: Trumpet Tune in D Major David Johnson
(✠ The congregation may stand.)
Welcome Statement
We seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves. This Church is Open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical and mental ability or sexual orientation. We Affirm each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As an Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice, and discrimination against any person.
Whoever you are, wherever 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 see an usher if you would like to use a hearing device. Join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship.
Many thanks to:
Jenn Oberto for serving as our lay reader; Stephanie Tierney & Pat Palmer for serving as ushers;
Jack Brown for bringing special musical gifts this morning.
Prayer List
Dale Sapp, Marty Finkle, Sean Clegg, Bolton Hull, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber, Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, Pauline, Sonya’s mother.
Psalm quoted from The Psalms in Worship, Mary Susan Gast, © 2002. Used with permission.
Calendar
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Wednesday: 9 am Staff Meeting
Ministry Opportunities
Calling All Canners
This summer you may discover an abundance of fruit or cucumbers in your garden. If so, plan to make some jams, preserves, or pickles for the Fall Festival in October. These home-made items are very popular with visitors to the Country Kitchen during the week-end event. All proceeds from the Fall Festival at our church are given to the Board of Christian Action to donate to local organizations . It’s a win-win for everyone!
Church Office Update
We have implemented a new security measure for the Church House: if any of our staff is in the building alone, then the Library Street door will remain locked. If you stop by during office hours and find the door is locked, please press the button to the left of the door to call the office. The staff person will then come down and welcome you!