Service for the Lord’s Day, August 3, 2008

Neighborhood Network Sunday/Communion

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

 

PRELUDE                                        In the Garden                                            C. A. Miles

                                                    Something Beautiful                                              Gaither

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS

           

CARILLON & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                   from Psalm 17

    

     O Lord, give ear to my prayer from lips free from deceit.

     If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me,

          you will find no wickedness in me.

     I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.

     Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge.

     I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied,

          beholding your likeness.                                                

 

*HYMN                                                 (See Insert)                                     Trust and Obey

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                        Touch Holiness

     O God, you are like a weaver in our lives. You have spun each of us into a unique, 

           colorful strand with our own special hue and texture; you have woven us together

           into a single family that blankets the globe. We admit that we have torn the fabric

           of your design. We have allowed ourselves to be bound by the narrow contexts of

           race, age, sex and ideology. Open our hearts, so that we may once again celebrate

           the wonder of the human fabric and dignity of all.

 (time for silent, personal prayer of confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON & THE PEACE

     There is no greater joy in the heart of God than the moment when a son or daughter

          opens to the gift of forgiveness. God’s Spirit reaches out to assure us of welcome

          in Christ.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ we are God’s by grace. With great joy we are made alive.

We receive this good news and will live in peace. Thanks be to God.  Amen.

(worshipers exchange words and gestures of the peace of Christ)

 

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

FIRST LESSON                                                                       Matthew 14: 13-21 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                          Leaning on the Everlasting Arms              Hoffman/Showalter

 

WORD WITH THE WISE

(Children say “God be with you here”

Congregation responds “God be with you there”)

 

SECOND LESSON                                                                    Genesis 32: 22-32 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                    “God-Wrestling”

           

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            Offertory                  Just A Closer Walk with Thee                               Traditional

 

SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

 

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

 

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING                                                    Hymnal p. 13

          *RESPONSE #592                              Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

          *THE LORD’S PRAYER (Ecumenical)

 

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

(Worshipers passing the bread may say, “The Bread of Heaven”

and passing the cup, “The cup of blessing in Christ.”)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

 

*HYMN                                                 (See Insert)                         I Love to Tell the Story

 

*CHARGE

 

 *BLESSING                                                                                     from Genesis 31: 49, 50

 

          “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the

          other … though no one else is with us, remember that God is witness between

          you and me.”

 

POSTLUDE                                  God Be With You                                     Rankin/Tomer

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgist

Deborah Bowsher

Word with Wise

Hope Boring

Sermon

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Holy Smoke

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano