THE CHURCH OF THE RED ROCKS Rev. Dr. Cindy Parker, Pastor A Stephen Ministry Congregation An Open and Affirming Congregation ORDER OF WORSHIP

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1 THE CHURCH OF THE RED ROCKS Rev. Dr. Cindy Parker, Pastor A Stephen Ministry Congregation An Open and Affirming Congregation ORDER OF WORSHIP Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Holy Ground" Geron Davis *Hymn# 370 "What Gift Can We Bring?" Welcome and Announcements Pastor: No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, People: You are welcome here! A Time of Gratitude Call to Worship (responsively) One: Worker God, whose hands built the earth, molded our bodies, and sowed the stars across the sky, we gather in your presence this morning with praise and thanksgiving for your might deeds. All: Meet us here, Worker God; strengthen our hearts and our hands to work with you in the building of a world filled with justice and peace. Opening Prayer for Workers (responsively) One: Loving, Working God, on this Sunday we ask your special blessing on all people who labor, either for pay or as volunteers, in jobs or at school, in the workplace or at home, in the U.S. and around the world. All: We especially pray for your blessings on workers who do not have jobs and for those whose inadequate pay does not allow them to live the full life you intend for each of us. One: Creator God, help us to build a new world in the midst of the old. A world where all workers are valued. All: A world where those who clean houses are also able to buy houses to live in. One: A world where those who grow food can also afford to eat their fill. All: A world where those who serve and care for others are, themselves, also served and cared for.

2 One: We pray for the coming of a world where all workers everywhere share in the abundance that you have given us. All: We ask these things knowing that you give us the courage and strength to live out our faith in the workplace and the marketplace, as well as in the sanctuary. One: And all God's beloved said, AMEN! New Testament Reading Matthew 16:21-28 Lector: Lynda Shephard Message for All God's Children "It Isn't Easy" Offertory "Tribute" Andrae Crouch *Doxology & Prayer of Dedication Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Old Testament Reading "Moses at the Burning Bush" Exodus 3:1-15 *Hymn# 572 Message "When Israel was in Egypt's Land" "When God Interrupts" Choral Anthem "Speak and We Will Hear" Joseph Martin Mirth Lindal, cello Call to Confession On this Labor Day Sunday we will lift up all people who labor, either for pay or as volunteers, in jobs or at school, at home or in the workplace, in the U.S. and around the world. Prayer of confession (in unison) We are workers, God, just like you. But we confess that our actions do not always affirm and honor each other. Our work is not always done in a spirit that is pleasing to you. We confess that, on some occasions, we have blindly bought goods made by people who are paid too little or work in unsafe conditions. We admit that we have failed to end an unjust system in which some workers have jobs that provide good wages and benefits while others may have no job, or one that pays little and provides few benefits.

3 Creator god, help us to be your people, working for a world where all workers are valued. A world where those who clean houses are also able to buy houses to live in. A world where those who grow food can also afford to eat their fill. And one where those who serve and care for others in stores, schools, hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, and many other places are, themselves, also served and cared for. It will be a world where all workers everywhere share in the abundance that you have given us. Words of Assurance Our God is a God of grace and transformation. When we ask, God gives us the courage and strength to live out our faith in the workplace and the marketplace, as well as in the sanctuary. Celebration at the Lord's Table Our church family practices open communion where All are welcome to Christ's table, regardless of denominational affiliation or church membership. This morning the congregation will be seated for communion; the elements (bread and nonalcoholic grape juice) will be served in the pews. Please eat the bread when you receive it to honor your personal relationship with Jesus (a gluten free option is available) and hold the cup until all are served so we might drink together as the body of Christ. The cup of water in the center of the plate is there to remind you of your baptism. Invitation: He was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Jairus, Martha and Mary, Joanna and Susanna, he was always the guest Communion Prayer: God of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel, there is no pain that does not echo you heart, and so we pray: People: for all the grief and for all the losses, for all the tears shed and the cries unheard, for all the half-goodbyes, relationships without resolve, and for all the things that we have left unsaid, we pray. Broken, tired and hungry, we come to you seeking healing, strength, and nourishment knowing that you will make us whole. People: So we, a diverse group of people, gather around to break and share this bread together as a way of remembering the one whom we follow. The one who was fully who God created him to be; the one who loved God with all his heart, with all his mind, and with all his understanding.

4 The one who taught us about love; the one who taught us to pray; the one who wrestled and struggled, as we often do; the one who has freed us from the vices of this world. People: We look at the cross and remember the one who died a cruel death because of beliefs, because of love, because of faith. We take the bread and remember the one who loved us all and taught us to live peacefully together as one community, the one who reminds us that we are never alone, the one who is the Christ. People: May the memory of the Christ in this meal, and in each other, sustain us for the struggles we face now, and in the journey ahead. Amen Sharing of the Bread and Cup The Lord's Prayer (sung by congregation) Our father who art in heaven, Hollowed be Thy name. The 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 Prayer of Thanksgiving (both a prayer and an affirmation of our willingness to serve God) Eternal God, you have called your people from east and west and north and south to feast at the table of Jesus Christ. We thank you for Christ's presence and for the spiritual food we've received. By the power of your Holy Spirit, keep us faithful to your will. Go with us to the streets, to our homes, and to our places of labor and leisure that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may be the servant church of the servant Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen A Responsive Prayer for Justice (by Rebecca Sutton, Program Coordinator of Global Women's Exchange, this prayer was developed for the NY State Labor-Religion Coalition's seventh annual 40-hour fast. It was also part of Prayers for a Just Economy, a prayer service calling for an increase in the federal minimum held in Washington, DC, July 24, 2013) Pray for those who are hungry. Pray harder for those who will not feed them. Pray for those who struggle each week to pay their bills Pray harder for the wealthy who do not care.

5 Pray for those who are homeless. Pray harder for those who deny them shelter. Pray for the sick and lonely. Pray harder for those who will not give them comfort. Pray for those who cry out for dignity. Pray harder for those who will not listen. Pray for those oppressed by unjust wages. Pray harder for those who exploit them. Pray for those who bear the yoke of prejudice. Pray harder for those who discriminate against them. Pray for those whose basic needs are denied. Pray harder for public officials who cater to the greedy and ignore those bound unjustly. Amen *Hymn# 531 *Benediction "God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak" *Choral Response "A Blessing" Douglas Nolan Postlude "Arise" Mary McDonald *Please stand in body or in spirit. As you depart, please greet one another with the spirit of Christ's love. We also welcome you to join us in Painted Cliffs Hall for a time of food and fellowship following the service. Next week's scripture: Next week s scripture reading is from Exodus 12:1-14. This week s story follows after Moses repeated pleas to Pharaoh to release the Hebrews from Egypt. On this first Passover, the enslaved Hebrew community prepares for an epic journey to freedom. This account was probably recorded during the Israelites later exile in Babylon ( BCE) and reflects how Israelite priests regulated worship. In telling the Passover story each year, the Israelites remembered their identity.

6 This Week September 3 September 10 Sunday September 3 - Holy Communion 9:30 am Worship Service 9:30 am Nursery Care 10:30 am Fellowship Time Painted Cliffs Hall (PCH) Join us for Ryan Holder's 10 th anniversary celebration. Monday September 4 - Church Office Closed for Labor Day 7:45 am Tai Chi & Prayer Classroom B 9:00 am Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary Tuesday September 5 9:30 am Facilities Commission Classroom B 10:00 am Family Support Group Classroom A 1:00 pm Stewardship Commission Conference Room 2:00 pm Stephen Leaders Meeting Classroom B Wednesday September 6 10:00 am "Bad Girls of the Bible" PCH 1:30 pm Grief Support Group Classroom A Thursday September 7 1:00 pm Knitting Into the Mystery Classroom A 5:00 pm TEDx Talk with John Soderberg - PCH Friday September 8 7:45 am Tai Chi & Prayer Classroom B 10:15 am The EDGE Classroom A 5:00 pm Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary Saturday September 9 11:00 am Memorial for Wilbur D. Wheaton Sunday September 10 Manna Sunday and Second Sunday Brunch 9:30 am Worship Service 9:30 am Nursery Care 10:30 am Fellowship Time PCH The EDGE meets at 10:15 AM each Friday in Classroom A. We will continue discussion of The Road to Character by David Brooks. For more information please call Sergio or Lora Mazza at Bad Girls of the Bible September 6th at 10:00 AM in Painted Cliffs Hall. We will continue by discussing the sixth chapter, Generous to a Fault (Sapphira). A New Member Gathering will be held on Sunday, September 24 after the worship service. Please meet at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex.

7 Large Print Bulletins and Head Sets (for amplified sound of our worship services) are available from any of our ushers. Participants Director of Music Dr. Ryan Holder Organist/Pianist Suzanne Moore Hand Bell Director Mary Rubel Office Administration Ginger Willetts and Cate Wyckoff Nursery Care Shandra Ryan Communion Servers Lawrence Byrd, Ellen Glasshagel, Sonia Olson, John Moore Head Usher Susan Pilakowski Ushers David Shephard, Gayle Potter, Bob Carlile, Stephanie Dunshee Welcomers Nancy Jung & Julia Fanning P. A. Operator Don Beard Coffee Hosts Administration Commission Van Driver Sheryl Bertelson Tellers Bob Wych and Chuck Lougheed Website and Social Media Cate Wyckoff Circle of Concern Church families pray for each other. Please pray for Michael Redhawk, Jackie Hornberger, Lynne Kennedy, and Connie Coble. If you or someone you love is hospitalized or having surgery, please let Pastor Cindy or the office know Worship Hours During September there will be ONE service on Sundays at 9:30 AM with fellowship time following. Gratitude Ignites Generosity Identify persons you know who have seemed free of the passion for money. What do they have in common? Knitting Into the Mystery will begin again on Thursday, September 7 at 1:00 PM in Classroom A. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome. TEDX Talk with Sculptor John Soderberg, Thursday, September 7 Join us at 5:00 PM in Painted Cliffs Hall. John is a well-known sculptor who has led a fascinating life filled with travel and humanitarian work. A memorial service will be held here for Wil Wheaton on Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 AM.

8 Second Sunday Brunch and Manna Sunday will be Sunday, September 10. This brunch is a true potluck. All foods are welcome. Drinks, dishes and utensils will be provided. Please bring all food ready-to-serve. CRR Book Club will meet on Friday, September 15 at 1:00 PM in Classroom A to discuss "Luellen & Lucy" by Dee DeTarsio: a charming "Gone With the Wind" love story The 10 th Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 PM. One Worship Discussion: For the past three months the church has had one worship service at 9:30 AM. There has been wonderful feedback from the attendees they are making new friends that normally attend the other worship service, there is a greater feeling of togetherness, and a nice crowd is staying for the Fellowship Time each Sunday after church. What do YOU think? At their September meeting, the church Council is going to discuss the possibility of continuing to enjoy the one worship service. Your Council would like to know your thoughts. Please express them to any Council member (names are on the back of each Sunday bulletin) prior to September 15 th or put a note in the suggestion box on the welcome table. The Stewardship Commission has borrowed the theme for this year's campaign from the UCC. "Journey to Generosity: The Way of Jesus." We are very grateful to all who have offered their homes for small group meetings which will take place during October and November. Meetings will last about 75 minutes and 10 to 12 people will attend. Hosts will be calling you soon to invite you. Please say "Yes!". Please prayerfully consider your willingness to participate in this most important part of our stewardship campaign. Smile! The photographer will be taking portraits for our new photo directory October Our directory won't be complete without you. So sign up soon! Visit the church website and click the "click HERE" link on the blog called "It's Time for the New Photo Directory" or sign up today in PCH.