To love another person is to see the face of God. Victor Hugo

Transcription

1 ( The Ecstasy of St. Paul, by Nicolas Poussin used with permission of Johann) To love another person is to see the face of God. Victor Hugo July 5, :15 a.m.

2 The Colonial Church in Prairie Village United Church of Christ The Power of Christ in Us Sunday Worship Service in the series Following the Way of Christ 1 Please silence your electronic devices in preparation for worship. * Please rise in body or spirit We Gather as God s People Gathering Music Blessed Assurance arr. Duane Funderburk Eric Williams, violin Welcome and Announcements (Please sign and pass pew pads and fill out Prayer Request cards you may have. You can place the Prayer Request cards in the offering plates later in the service.) A Moment to Lay Your Burdens Down * Opening Hymn #459 Come, O Fount of Every Blessing * Call to Worship Based on Psalm 48 Leader: Great is our God, deserving of much praise. People: The city of God is the joy of all the Earth. Within its walls, God is a great defender. Leader: The rulers of the earth gather before the Lord and are astounded, for great is the power of God People: Still greater than God s power is God s love. It reaches even to the ends of the earth. Leader: Let the people of God rejoice in God s power and love. People: We assemble before You and are amazed, For your power cannot be measured and neither can your love be fathomed. Truly, God is great throughout all creation!

3 * Song of Praise Gloria #759 adapted Glory to the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen. 2 * Sharing God s Welcome (Greet everyone in the hope of peace and friendship.) Children s Conversation (Children of all ages are welcome to come forward to the chancel steps. Following the Conversation, children are welcome to remain to worship or to participate in our Sunday School.) This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. A Word Proclaimed We Hear God s Word Jesus Rejected at Nazareth Mark 6:1 6 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house. And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. The Twelve Receive the Power of Christ Mark 6:7 13 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not

4 welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Our Own Accomplishments are not a Basis for Boasting 2 Corinthians 12:2 5 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. The Power of Christ is Made Known in Our Weakness 2 Corinthians 12:6 10 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 3

5 We Respond with Thanksgiving and Prayer 4 * Hymn #12 I Sing The Mighty Power of God Call to Offering and Offertory Mediation Cecile Chaminade Eric Williams, violin * Doxology (#780 adapted; tune Old Hundredth) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen. * Prayer of Dedication God of power and of weakness, be made known in us today. May our gifts and our lives bear witness to the power you have given each of us to show your love throughout the earth.. Amen. Time of Prayer Prayers of the People Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the Pastor will say: Lord, in your mercy. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. Praying in Silence Our Lord s Prayer ( Our Father is the traditional way this prayer begins. You are invited to use whatever name for God you find most meaningful (Father, Mother, Creator, God, etc.). These names for God create a beautiful chorus.) 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 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.

6 We Depart to Serve 5 * Hymn #451 Be Now My Vision * Prayer of Farewell to Jane Kurtz, Nathan Kurtz Enko, and Paul, Robert, and Eve O Hanlon God, we give thanks for the time we have shared with the Kurtz and O Hanlon family. We have worshipped, learned, and worked together in Christ s service. We pray that they will always be aware of your Spirit s guidance. We thank you for the gifts that they have graciously shared with us. Bless them always in the name of Jesus the Savior. Amen. * Renew Our Covenant (Turn towards the center aisle as we bless one another with the promise of our covenant.) We covenant with the Lord and with one another and do bind ourselves in the presence of God to walk together in Christian Love. We seek to worship God in spirit and in truth and to love our neighbors as ourselves. With God s help we will honor Colonial Church in our conduct, support its program, and extend the influence of Christ throughout the world. * Congregational Song of Blessing #809 God Be With You God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again. O God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again. * Benediction and Postlude Hymn to Joy setting by Al Travis (Some liturgical elements used with permission of United Church of Christ Worship Ways.) Liturgist: Catherine Bowser Children s Conversation: Marilyn Uppman Greeter: Frank Robertson Head Usher: Howard Lee Ushers: Loren Griffith, Stacy Lybarger, Carolyn Pitts, Bill Yohn

7 6 During our Following the Way of Christ worship series, we will be taking a break from our intensive readings to focus on Second Corinthians in our 10:00am Thursday morning Bible Study. It s a short study for a few weeks this summer, so if you would like to give it a try, please do! Keep the simple point in mind: our primary purpose is not simply learning information about the Bible Second Corinthians, in particular. It is hearing God speak. Lesson 6 Playing the Fool Homework Step 1: First Reading 2 Corinthians 11:16 12:13 Find a comfortable place to sit, when you can be undisturbed for 15 minutes or so. Read the text slowly, prayerfully and meditatively. Savor the words. Pray them. Put yourself into the text with your senses. When do you hear, smell, or feel? Pay attention to words or phrases that speak to you or jump out at you. Consider reading it aloud. Step 2: Second Reading of the same text This may happen at the same time as your first reading or at a different time or on another day. For this second reading, note any questions you might have. Is the reading all one, or can you see subsections or parts? Who are the main characters? Is there a plot or story? Note additional information you need place names, monetary values, etc. to better understand what s going on. Step 3: Interpreting the Text and Homework Questions (if you are planning to come to class, give the church office a call so that we can stick a copy of the study manual into the mail for you.)

8 Homework Questions 1) Our culture is one of self promotion, and a fair amount of self importance seems to be quite normal. Paul boasts a fair amount in our text. How comfortable are you with bragging? 2) The image of a fool is utilized in order to discuss Paul s accomplishments. He contrasts it with wisdom. What is wise and what is foolishness for you? 3) Paul shares three ways in which his experience empowered him as a Christian. He boasts about one, but also says it was humiliating. Can you think of an experience in which you were both humbled and filled with pride? 4) Do you believe in revelations and visions? Can you think of a dream or vision in which you were captivated by an image of heaven or another life? 5) The phrase my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness has been spoken at hospital bedsides and in the midst of an especially difficult time in a Christian s life. Does this verse resonate with your experience? When we are at our weakest, are we strong enough to see God s grace? 7

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