CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Opening Words
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.
Music His Eye is On The Sparrow By Civilla Martin
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
And I know He watches
And I know He watches
And I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
And I know He watches over me.
Opening Prayer
We cannot predict your coming or going, O God, yet you have given us your story, your family, your work to do. Meet us here. Shape us for service in your world, for we carry the name of Jesus and live by the power of your breath. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Breathe through the words we hear, the songs we share, the burdens we carry, until we discover our purpose in your liberating love, for we long to join creation’s praise and to shine with the mercy of the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 13: 24—30
He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
Sermon “ Growing Together ” Rev. Russell Lehman
Offering of Our Gifts (One way to donate money is to use the "Donate Now" button on the main page of this website.)
Almighty God, in this time of global pandemic, when our lives have been disrupted and patterns of behavior which have been familiar to us are overturned, we recognize that we still have the personal gifts you have given us and the skills we have developed over time. Help us to find our way through the coming days, weeks, and months and find new ways to use the gifts you have given us in service to you through service to others. In Christ’s name. Amen
Musical Offering Have Your Way In Me by Keisha Prime
Chorus
Have your way in me, Jesus, Jesus.
I live for Your glory, Jesus, Jesus.
Your will be done. Your kingdom come in me.
Your pow’r and your blood compels me to give You all of me.
Verse 1
I commit myself to you. I give you all I am.
For You deserve all that I have.
You are worthy. You are worthy.
Nothing can take your love from me.
Your hope is where I stand.
And every day I gaze upon your beauty, your beauty.
(chorus)
You are everlasting. You are always holy.
Your grace is all encompassing. Jesus, Jesus.
With you I’ll live forever.
In the wonder of your splendor.
Your ways are pure and righteous, Jesus, Jesus.
Jesus (repeat)
Closing Prayer
In whatever shelter I awake I know this place is holy because you meet me here.
As I prepare for the day, I remember the claim upon you have upon my life.
Wherever darkness looms, O God, show me mercy this day. Amen.
Benediction
Sisters and brothers, however dark the night gets—whatever you have squandered—know that you are held by a love like this: the Creator who made you still claims you in covenant love. The Redeemer who died for your sake lives again by the word of God; the Sustainer of all creation yet breathes courage into your heart. Serve, then, with boldness and joy.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Whom do you most fear? What must you do to grow together with them?