Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Abundance and Generosity

Transcription

1 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Abundance and Generosity

2 The Prologue The Lord's Day Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Abundance and Generosity Ten O'clock in the Morning The Worship of God THE SERVICE OF PREPARATION Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of the conscience by God's holiness; the nourishment of the mind with God's truth; the purifying of the imagination by God's beauty; the opening of the heart to God's love; the surrender of the will to God's purpose and all of this gathered up in adoration. ~ William Temple In today's Witness from the Gospels in the Book of Matthew, we read a story that is found in all four Gospels. Surely, that is an indicator of its importance. The feeding of the multitude is a reminder to us all that when we live our lives out of our abundance and generosity, amazing, wonderful, and serendipitous things are possible and indeed, happen in our midst as followers of Jesus and as beloved faith community. This popular narrative is no prosperity gospel nonsense, a perversion of Jesus and His gospel in the most egregious way. That stuff is nothing more than heresy of the highest order, the equivalent of theological, Christological, and ecclesiological garbage! And, the use of the word "garbage" might even be too nice an adjective! No, the feeding of the masses shows us that the way to God's heart and to full relationship with one another comes with loving fully and "wastefully," sharing of ourselves and of our means, for in our sharing, we, as images of the Divine, reflect the mercy and grace that only comes from God. Gathering Music The Call to Worship and Welcome The Spirit of the still speaking God be with you. And also with you. The Call to Worship and Welcome The Music for Organ The Lighting of the Altar Candles The Opening of the Lectern Bible The Gathering Nameless God, we gather before Your holy face, longing to worship You in these sacred moments! We long to know and be blessed by One whose face is shrouded in mystery and wonder.

3 Incline your ear and answer us, O God! Hear our words as we call upon You in this sacred time andand space. time space. We wrestle with One who is known and yet who is beyond our knowing. Let us worship God! The Collect Blessing God, we have gathered in this holy place to worship You, to wrestle with the One whose face is beyond our vision, whose name we long to know, yet is so wondrously shown to us in steadfast love; incline Your ear to us, O God; hear our words and answer us as we seek Your presence this day; may we ever speak the truth in love in Christ in this place, ever blessing the One who blesses us and names us as God s own; all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the holy and still speaking Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. THE SERVICE OF PRAISE t The Processional Hymn When Morning Gilds the Skies 2 LAUDES DOMINI

4 t The Litany of Praise The Holy One hears our cries and gives ear to the prayers of our lips. Our vindication comes comes from from the the Holy, Holy, whose whose eyes eyes see see the the best best in all in of all us. of us. God tries our hearts and tests us, visiting us by night, finding no wickedness or fault within us. Our mouths will never transgress the Holy, nor the words of our lips speak violence in the presence of God. The Holy One orders our steps that our feet may not slip. God inclines an ear to us, hearing hearing our our words words and and answering answering us when us when we we call. call. God has wondrously shown faithful love in amazing ways to all who seek refuge at the right right hand hand of the of the Holy. Holy. The strong hand of the righteous One offers salvation to all, showing us the face of the the Holy, Holy, revealing revealing the the full full image image of God! of God! Praise Praise the the Lord! Lord! t The Gloria GREATOREX THE SERVICE OF CONFESSION The Call to Confession 1 All of us need times of wrestling with God over issues in our lives. These moments of confession offer us one such opportunity. Bring your own distress to this time of confession in which all of us can participate. In the silence and stillness of these moments, let us confess before the Holy. The Silent Confession The Corporate Confession 2 Let us pray to the Lord: God of justice and righteousness, whose compassion for humankind was expressed so vividly in Jesus of Nazareth, we bring to You our sorrow and anguish, recalling the times that we have failed to follow faithfully in the 3

5 footsteps of Jesus. Unkindness and deceit are all around us, and we have sometimes joined in their destructive ways, even delighting in them because of their intoxicating effect. We waste resources You have entrusted to us. Sometimes we fear that we are the cause of others stumbling and falling. Take away our wickedness and the faults within us, and restore Your covenant among us. The Kyrie arr. David N. Johnson The Assurance of Pardon 5 Beloved faith community, hear the good news. God is merciful, patient, kind, and loving. All creation is subject to God's care and concern. God attends to our cries and frees our lips from deceit. In Christ, our brokenness finds healing, and relationships are mended and strengthened. God feeds us in ways beyond our knowing and prompts our generosity. Know the glory of God surrounding us here as we worship. Celebrate the refreshment God offers. Thanks be to God! THE SERVICE OF THE WORD The Witness from the Hebrew Scriptures GENESIS 32:22-31 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Peniel, limping because of his hip. Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! 4

6 The Response, PSALM 17 RATHBUN Hear, O Lord, My Plea The Witness from the Epistles ROMANS 9:1-5 I am speaking the truth in Christ I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! t The Sequence Hymn Dear God, Embracing Humankind * There will be a break between the second and third verses for the reading of the Gospel. 5 REST

7 The Witness from the Gospels MATTHEW 14:13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the towns. When He went ashore, He saw a great crowd; and He had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." And He said, "Bring them here to Me." Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God! The Sermon Now, That's a Spread! Timothy W. Shirley THE SERVICE OF COMMITMENT t The Eucharistic Hymn Be Thou My Vision 6 SLANE

8 t The Peace The peace of the risen Christ be always with you. And also with you. The Concerns of the Church The Pastoral Prayer The Receiving of Our Gifts The Offertory t The Doxology Jo Prater, Moderator OLD HUNDREDTH t The Presentation of Our Gifts t The Prayer of Thanksgiving THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION t The Greeting The Spirit of the still speaking God be with you. And also with you. t The Sursum Corda (Lift up your hearts.) Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 7

9 It is right to give God thanks and praise. It is right and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to You, God most holy, creator of heaven and earth. Therefore, we praise You, joining our voices with all the heavenly hosts, who forever proclaim this hymn to the glory of Your name. t The Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Richard Proulx The Words of Institution The Acclamation Let us proclaim the mystery of the faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ comes to us continually. The Prayer of Consecration The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Alleluia. The Table has been set and Christ invites us to join Him here. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. 8

10 Communion will be served by intinction at the Chancel. You are invited to come forward to receive the Eucharist. If you so prefer, a member of the Diaconate will be glad to serve you at your pew. Wine is offered from the Pulpit or Gospel side, while grape juice is available from the Lectern or Epistle side. Individually-wrapped gluten-free wafers are available. Everyone is invited to partake of the elements as you receive them. The Invitation to the Table The Sharing of the Eucharist The Music for Communion The Post-Communion Prayer The Dismissal Let us go forth in Christ. Thanks be to God! THE SERVICE OF DISCIPLESHIP t The Processional Hymn Take My Gifts AUSTRIAN HYMN t The Benediction The Closing of the Lectern Bible The Extinguishing of the Altar Candles 9

11 The Music for Organ t Those who are able are invited to stand. The Worship of God concludes with The Music for Organ. We invite you to be seated and reflect on today s service, preparing to process into the world, sharing the love of Jesus and the "extravagant welcome" of SouthShore United Church of Christ with everyone you meet. The color for the Season after Pentecost is Green, symbolizing the growth and development of the Church. Various symbols of the Trinity, such as the Trefoil and Triangle designs are frequently used to remind us of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the Triune nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Parent, Child, Advocate and Comforter, Holy Companion, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Ordinary Time refers to that part of the Church Year that does not fall within one of the major seasons and does not observe any specific aspect of the Mystery of Christ. It consists of thirty-four Sundays in the liturgical year counted backwards from Reign of Christ (last Sunday before Advent). It emphasizes personal faith development and nurture, and the growth and enhancement of the Church and the churches. Worship Notes: The theme for today's worship service is Abundance and Generosity. * Today's scripture readings were taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). 1-3 Reprinted by permission United Church Press from Taught by Love: Worship Resources for Year A, by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1998 by United Church Press. Music Copyright Information: "When Morning Gild the Skies," 1992 The Pilgrim Press. "Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us," Text 1974 and 1992, Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press. "Hear, O Lord, My Plea," Text 2010, from The Psalter for Christian Worship, Witherspoon Press. Used by permission. "Be Thou My Vision," Music Harm from the Revised Church Hymnary. Oxford University Press. Used by permission. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, 1971, 1977, GIA Publications, Inc. "Take My Gifts," 1992 Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A An Invitation to Our Guests: Please join us for refreshments at Coffee Hour in Hospitality Hall following Morning Worship. SUNDAY ~ AUGUST 6, 2017 CELEBRANT ~ Timothy W. Shirley LITURGIST ~ Jo Prater LECTOR ~ Larry Piechoski GOSPELER ~ Timothy W. Shirley ORGANIST ~ Ryan Hebert HOSTS ~ Betsy Hinderliter, Coordinator Patty Brandt, Karl Buffington, Jeanne Domonkos, Don Hinderliter, Larry Piechoski, Bob Reter DEACONS ~ Linda Shaw, Chair USHERS ~ Carolyn Gordon, Captain Bill Blades Roz Cruthis John Granata Jeanne Domonkos Beverly Majewski Lisa Ushman SOUND AND LIGHTING ~ Patrick Czeck I

12 WEDNESDAY ~ AUGUST 9, :00 a.m. ~ Prayer Group..... Conference RM THURSDAY ~ AUGUST 10, 2017 WEEKLY CALENDAR FRIDAY ~ AUGUST 11 CHURCH BUILDING CLOSED SUNDAY ~ AUGUST 13, 2017 Timothy W. Shirley, Preaching 10:00 a.m. ~ Emmaus Road GRP.. Conference RM 1:00 p.m. ~ Movie: Lion Hospitality Hall 8:30 a.m. ~ Chapel Communion Chapel 10:00 a.m. ~ Morning Worship Sanctuary AUGUST 13, 2017 LECTIONS: GENESIS 37:1-4, PSALM 105:1-6, 16-22, 45B ROMANS 10:5-15 ALTAR FLOWERS Maureen Martinsky to God's Glory. AUGUST MISSION OF THE MONTH: SCC Samaritan Services Sun City Center residents are fortunate to have access to an organization like Samaritan Services. Volunteers provide rides to doctors and hospitals in Tampa, Brandon and Bradenton. They provide rides, within the community, to beauty shops, homes, restaurants, medical appointments and almost anywhere else you want to go. They provide respite for caregivers of Alzheimer s patients and an Alzheimer s Support Group. They provide Companion Care to relieve caregivers for an hour or two to attend to personal matters. And, they coordinate the Meals on Wheels program with South Bay Hospital and the SCC Woman s Club. Please call for hours and reservation information. NEARLY NEW SHOP The Nearly New Shop, sponsored by SouthShore UCC and the Interfaith Council, is looking for volunteers for about four hours each week. Duties would include sorting, labeling, and preparing the shop for business on Saturdays. Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Shirley, Senior Minister Dr. Ryan Hebert, Organist Mrs. Jo Prater, Moderator Dr. Jo-Anne Winslow, Administrative Secretary 1501 La Jolla Avenue ~ Sun City Center, Florida Phone: (813) Fax: (813) Dr. Shirley timwshirley@gmail.com Mrs. Prater southshoreucc@aol.com Church uccscc1@gmail.com Church Website: Church College communitychurchcollege@gmail.com. Church College Website: August 6, 2017