Eighth
Sunday after Pentecost
“In
the case of the kingdom of God, the kingdom is not for now a geographic spot on
a map but rather the kingdom of God is present any place and every place where
the influence of Jesus’ living presence determines the shape of life. Wherever
and whenever Jesus’ wisdom, Jesus’ wit, Jesus savvy, Jesus’ words, and Jesus’
love mold the words, actions, thoughts, and life patterns of some person or
group of persons, then there is where God’s kingdom is manifest.” -- Rev. Scott Hoezee
PRELUDE
Prelude &
Fugue in E-Major Vincent Lübeck (1654 – 1740)
CALL TO WORSHIP & OPENING PRAYER
Waiting is never easy for us.
We are a culture of
“instant” response. Today,
God is asking us to wait; to be patient. It
is not going to be easy for us to do that.
Quiet your spirits and open your hearts to God’s word for you
today.
Lord of preparation and transitions, we are already halfway
through our summer months. We sit and wonder where the time went, did we spend
it well in your service. Give us these next few weeks for renewal that we may
be prepared to work through your church for your world. Keep us mindful of the
needs of family, friends, and others, that we will be your faithful disciples,
for we ask these things in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Beneath the cross of Jesus I
fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; A
home within the wilderness, a rest upon the
way,
From
the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face; Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or
loss, My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
Just as I am, without one plea But
that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou biddest me
come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come;
I come!
Just as I am, thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down; Now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm has bound
the restless wave, Who bade the mighty ocean deep its
own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on
the sea.
O Trinity of love and power, all travelers guard in
danger’s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe’er they go; Thus evermore
shall rise to thee glad praise from air and land and sea.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Here is some wonderful news! While we were worrying and
fretting, God has been at work in our lives offering healing and peace.
HYMN N0. 10, St. 1 “Sing Glory to the Name of God” LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Sing glory to the name of God, whose holy splendor
shines abroad.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Enthroned above the crashing waves, the God of grace
and glory saves, Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Susan
Jones
SPECIAL MUSIC
“Guide
My Feet, Lord”
Malcolm
Haddad, Solo
arr.
John Carter
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Genesis
29:15 – 28
NEW TESTAMENT
LESSON
Matthew
13:31-33, 44 - 52
SERMON
“Labors of Love”
Rev. William Schram
SPECIAL MUSIC
“’Tis the Gift to be
Simple”
arr. Douglas Wagner
Handbell Duet: Barbara Romaine & Tyler Romaine
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.
CLOSING HYMN
NO. 10, St. 4
“Sing Glory
to the Name of God”
LASST UNS ERFREUEN
May God forever be our peace; may hymns of glory never
cease: Alleluia, alleluia!
Let all the faithful people come; sing praise to God,
the Three-in-One: Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
POSTLUDE
March on the
Old Hundredth Psalm Tune arr. Brenda Portman
Rev. William Schram
Rev. Barbara Piercy
Susan Jones
Malcolm Haddad, Soloist
Barbara Romaine & Tyler Romaine, Handbell Duet
Paul Salierno, Cantor
Ray Liptak & Rob Thiemann, AV Engineers