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Sunday, July 12, 2020
Opening Words (from Psalm 89)
God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Your word is our heritage forever, the joy of our hearts.
Music That Name by Yolanda Adams
There is a name that is so precious
A name so wonderful to me
This name is worthy of all praises
Because of Him, I am made free
That name is Jesus, oh how I love Him
The one who gave, His life for me
Because of love, so unconditional
I will have life, eternally
This name speaks peace unto my storm clouds
This name speaks calm unto my fears
And when I feel that no one loves me
His loving presence is so near
That name is Jesus, oh how I love Him
The one who gave, His life for me
Because of love, so unconditional
I will have life, eternally
Praise that name!
Praise that name!
Praise that name!
Praise that name!
Someday I'll leave this earthly dwelling
Through time and space my soul will soar
And finally see the face of Jesus
And praise that name forevermore!
That name is Jesus, oh how I love Him!
The one who gave His life for me, for me, for me, for me!
Because of love so unconditional
I will have life, eternally
Praise that name! Glorious is that name!
Wonderful is that name!
That name!
That name!
Opening Prayer
You opened your mouth, O God, and uttered a word and creation sprang forth in abundance. Let us open our mouths in praise, that we may bear fruit in every season and be satisfied by your goodness, for you, O God, are the source of all growth; your grace abounds forever. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
God, your word goes out and does not return empty but prospers that for which it was sent. By your Spirit, open our minds to your word this day, that we might walk according to your ways; for the sake of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 29: 1, 4—7
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. . . Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Sermon “God’s Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet” Rev. Russell Lehman
A Reading from Psalm 119: 105—112
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
Offering of Our Gifts (One way to donate money is to use the "Donate Now" button on the main page of this website.)
Loving God, creator, redeemer, sustainer, we bow before you our humble thanks. You have given us life, and that which is needed to sustain life. In the face of the pandemic which threatens all of us, we understand our reliance on your grace. We offer our lives and our resources in grateful thanksgiving. Use us as instruments of your love in a broken and hurting world, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Musical Offering Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson
Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Closing Prayer
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Living Word, shine on this day. Quicken my steps and open my ears that I might approach each neighbor with a faithful and expectant heart. Amen.
Benediction
Sisters and brothers, sow the good news wherever you go—not judging the soil on which you stand—for God brings forth fruit from unexpected places.
May God, whose forgiveness is boundless, the Christ, whose charge is freedom, the Spirit, which grants us life and peace, keep our minds and hearts in grateful communion as we seek to serve God and one another.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Where are you experiencing new life? Where are you struggling? How might God be bringing new life from that struggle?