CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Opening Words (from Psalm 89)
I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord and proclaim God’s faithfulness to all generations. God’s steadfast love endures forever. God’s faithfulness is as high as the heavens. Happy are those who sing God’s praise and extol the righteousness of God all the day.
Music Alabaster Box by Cece Winans
The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I thought I found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven and that's why
I love Him so much
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost of the oil,
No, you don't know the cost of my praise.
You don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box.
Opening Prayer
Steadfast God, you greet us as a loving parent and patiently love us beyond all measure. Great is your faithfulness. May we offer that same kindness to all whom we encounter, knowing it is Christ whom we greet as we welcome others. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Loving God, as we hear your Word this day, send your Spirit to equip and inspire us, that your grace-filled hospitality may be the center of our lives. Amen.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 10: 40—42
"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."
Sermon “ Radical Hospitality ” 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.)
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
Music Offering Our God by Chris Tomlin
Water You turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind
there's no one like You, none like You!
Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise
there's no one like You, none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!
Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise
there's no one like You, none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
Then what could stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
Then what could stand against?
Our God is greater!
Closing Prayer
Because there is a great need in the world and I have been called by your name, raise me up and give me strength to bear witness with heart and hands to the world’s true light, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Benediction
May God protect you when the threats of life howl around you;
May Christ protect you when shades of sin creep within you;
May the Spirit of God protect you when flames of passion overcome you. Amen.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
How can we more faithfully discern God’s will during times of trial in our life, nation, or church? To whom or to what do you turn for the courage to choose justice, hope, and truth, and what is the reward that you seek?