July 5, 2020

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Reflection

“Ultimately evil is done not so much by evil people, but by good people who do not know

themselves and who do not probe deeply.” - Reinhold Niebuhr

PRELUDE

A Patriotic Suite

WORDS OF WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP & OPENING PRAYER

We come to this place of prayer,

for here we can bring our hopes and dreams, our hidden fears, and the doubts we wear on our sleeves.

We come to this place of grace,

for here we learn compassion and joy, and discover how deeply we are loved.

We come with these fellow members of Christ’s body,

to be blessed by the variety of gifts, and to live as one for our God.

Most wonderful God help us honestly assess our lives. Where we do well, strengthen us.

Where we fool ourselves, help us see more clearly. Let our worship and mission, our

fellowship and our attitudes, witness to your love and declare your glory. Through Christ

Jesus our redeemer. Amen!

HYMN NO. 340, St. 1 & 2

“This Is My Song”

FINLANDIA

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine,

but other hearts in other lands are beating,

with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the oceans,

And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,

and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

So hear my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for their land and for mine.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)

Merciful God, in all our celebration, fireworks, parades, and gatherings we have

proclaimed liberty and freedom. Yet our hearts are chained by anger, doubt, terror,

and fear. We live in those chains, often not knowing that there is really any other

way. We have become accustomed to our imprisonment. Forgive us when we turn

away from your freeing love. Help us to place our trust in you and serve you by

working with others for peace and hope for all. These things we ask in Jesus’ Name.

AMEN.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

God calls us to an unfettered faith in service.

We are set free by forgiveness from Jesus Christ.

HYMN N0. 340, St. 3

“This Is My Song”

FINLANDIA

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms:

thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.

Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,

and hearts united learn to live as one.

So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations:

Myself I give thee; let thy will be done.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON

Acts 16:16-34

GOSPEL READING

John 8:31-36

SERMON

“True Freedom”

Rev. William Schram

HYMN NO. 582

“Glory to God”

GLORY TO GOD

Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,

And to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me.

And to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

World without end, without end. Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

GREAT THANKSGIVING

HYMN NO. 556

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One who comes in the Lord’s name. Hosanna in the highest.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

BREAKING OF THE BREAD & COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN NO. 603

“Lamb of God”

AGNUS DEI

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:

grant us, O grant us your peace.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A PRAYER FOR THE JULY 4 WEEKEND (In Unison)

Lord, as we remember Independence Day 2020, we give thanks to you for the noble

efforts of those who have sought not only to preserve our union but to make it

better. With your help, may we pursue a society in which all people are not only

created equal but permitted and encouraged to live in the freedom and peace that

you so desire.

As we are imperfect people, encourage us by the actions of imperfect people who

years ago made a commitment to provide opportunity, peace and freedom for all.

Guide us through the current challenges and encourage us to seize the opportunities

before us. May we give thanks always that we engage in these struggles as we

faithfully serve through your grace and love. Amen.

PCUSA MISSION YEARBOOK 2020

SPECIAL MUSIC

“The Star-Spangled Banner”

Lyrics by Francis Scott Key (1814) & Music by John Stafford Smith (c. 1773)

Adopted as National Anthem, 1931

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Rev. William Schram

Rev. Barbara Piercy

Noel A. Piercy

Susan Jones

Paul Salierno, Cantor

Ray Liptak & Rob Thiemann, Technical Assistance