Sunday, July 21st, 2024
Guest Minister of Word and Sacrament – The Rev. Kathy Fraser
Prelude Jesu, Meine Freude (Jesus, My Joy)
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. J.S. Bach. Arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
Blessed is the Holy Voice who invited us to worship in this place at this time.
Blessed are all who hear such invitations to worship.
Blessed is Jesus, the Peaceful One who calls us to be peacemakers in the world.
Blessed are all who have been so called.
Blessed is the Spirit of Gentleness who gives us the vision for, and the gift of peace.
Blessed are we – for we have been blessed.
*Hymn # 727 Let There Be Light
(v. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
1. Let there be light;
let there be understanding;
let all the nations gather;
let them be face to face.
2. Open our lips;
open our minds to ponder;
open the door of concord,
opening into grace.
3. Perish the sword;
perish the angry judgement;
perish the bombs and hunger;
perish the fight for gain.
5. Your kingdom come;
your spirit turn to language;
your people speak together,
your spirit never fade.
6. Let there be light;
open our hearts to wonder;
perish the way of terror;
hallow the world God made.
Prayer of Adoration and Confession (sung)
Refrain:
We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord,
and we seek forgiveness from each other.
Sometimes we build up walls instead of bridges to peace,
and we ask your forgiveness, O Lord.
1. Sometimes we hurt by what we do to others.
Sometimes we hurt with words that are untrue.
Sometimes we cause others pain by what we fail to do,
and we ask your forgiveness, O Lord.
Refrain:
We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord,
and we seek forgiveness from each other.
Sometimes we build up walls instead of bridges to peace,
and we ask your forgiveness, O Lord.
2. For the times when we’ve been rude and selfish,
for the times when we have been unkind,
and for the times we refused to help our friends in need,
We ask your forgiveness, O Lord.
Refrain:
We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord,
and we seek forgiveness from each other.
Sometimes we build up walls instead of bridges to peace,
and we ask your forgiveness, O Lord.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Book of Praise # 201)
The Prayer of Jesus (Author unknown)
Loving God, in whom is heaven, may Your name be honoured everywhere.
May your kin-dom come.
May the desire of Your heart for the world be done, in us, by us and through us.
Give us the bread we need for each day.
Forgive us.
Enable us to forgive others.
Keep us from all anxiety and fear,
For you reign in the power that comes from love, which is Your glory forever and ever. Amen.
Words of Assurance and Peace
Like a mighty river flowing – like a flower in beauty growing,
far beyond all human knowing is the perfect peace of God.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Book of Praise # 741 – v. 1)
*Hymn # 740 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your healing power,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, only light,
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
4. Make me a channel of your peace:
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Children’s Time
Scripture Readings
Gospel Reading
Matthew 5:38-44
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Epistle Reading
Romans 12:9-18
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
Response to the Word of God
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God for this word to us today.
Sermon The Seventh Story
I Will Light Candles Today
*Hymn # 732 O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines
1. O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God’s grace our warring world
shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.
2. Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
Offering
Offertory Let There Be Peace on Earth
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Sy Miller & Jill Jackson)
Doxology God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store,
nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom,
costly cross, grave’s shattered door.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
as we heed Christ’s ageless call,
healing, teaching and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Book of Praise #663)
Offertory Prayer
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
*Hymn # 730 O for a World Where Everyone Respects Each Other’s Ways
1. O for a world where everyone
respects each other’s ways,
where love is lived and all is done
with justice and with praise.
2. O for a world where goods are shared
and misery relieved,
where truth is spoken, children spared,
equality achieved.
3. We welcome one world family
and struggle with each choice
that opens us to unity
and gives our vision voice.
4. The poor are rich, the weak are strong,
the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong,
who perishes will rise.
5. O for a world preparing for
God’s glorious reign of peace,
where time and tears will be no more,
and all but love will cease.
Benediction
Response May the Lord Bless You
May the Lord bless you; may the Lord keep you
may the Lord lift up his face to shine on you.
May the Lord bless you; may the Lord keep you;
may the Lord lift up his face to shine on you.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Judy Hunnicutt. Book of Praise # 553.)
Postlude Balm in Gilead
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Arr. Roger C. Wilson)