Sunday, July 26, 2020
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
11:00A.M.
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements John Strawbridge
Choral Introit Come, Let Us Gather (Trad., arr. Donald Moore)
Come, let us gather now to sing
Praises and thanks to God, our King.
God’s love surpasses everything.
Call to Worship (All)
Come and worship, proclaim God’s ways of faithfulness and steadfast love.
We will tell of God’s love, which unfolds in our lives.
Come and worship, for we are God’s people, rejoicing in his graciousness.
God is always with us, there is nothing which can keep us apart.
Come to the One who tells stories; worship our God who keeps promises.
We rejoice with God who is with us always.
Opening Hymn We Sing to You, O God TFWS 2001 Vs. 1, 2, & 4
1. We sing to You O God
The Rock who gave us birth
Let our rejoicing sing Your name
In all the earth
To You O God let songs be raised
In joyful hymns our feast of praise
2. We wandered far from home
Out in a desert land
You shielded with Your love
Our fearful pilgrim band
You kept us safe within
Your arms and sheltered us
Against the storm
4. O God eternal God
We hide within Your wings
The everlasting arms to whom
Our praises ring
Your Word is true
Your way is just
You are the God in whom we trust
Psalter Reading Psalm 105 The Message
Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
He’s God, our God,
in charge of the whole earth.
And he remembers, remembers his Covenant—
for a thousand generations he’s been as good as his word.
It’s the Covenant he made with Abraham,
the same oath he swore to Isaac,
The very statute he established with Jacob,
the eternal Covenant with Israel,
Namely, “I give you the land.
Canaan is your hill-country inheritance.”
The Word of God….Thanks be to God
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response Surely the Presence of the Lord UMH 328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel His mighty power and His grace.
I can hear the brush of angels wings.
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 13:44-52 NIV
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
The Word of God for the people of God….Thanks Be To God
Sermon “The Kingdom of Heaven is Like” Rev. Debbie Scott
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Come, O Thou Traveler Divine (“Ye Bansk and Braes”)
Come, O Thou Traveler unknown,
Whom still I hold but cannot see;
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with Thee;
With Thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.
I need not tell Thee who I am,
My sin and misery declare;
Thyself hast called me by my name,
Look on Thy hands, and read it there;
But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou?
Tell me Thy name, and tell me now.
‘Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear Thy whisper in my heart;
The morning breaks, the shadows flee:
Pure, universal Love Thou art;
To me, to all Thy mercies move;
Thy nature and Thy name is Love.
Offering Prayer (All)
We offer our gifts to you, Steadfast Love, not because you need them,
but so others might be as blessed as we are by your presence, your power, and your peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn Lift High the Cross UMH 159 Vs. 1, 3 & 4
Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
1. Come, Christians, follow this triumphal sign. The hosts of God in unity combine. Refrain
3. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. Refrain
4. So shall our song of triumph ever be: Praise to the Crucified for victory. Refrain
Benediction (All)
Go forth to proclaim God’s constant love.
We will live out that love for everyone we meet.
Go forth to unfold God’s Word to the world.
We will gather up the tears of those around us,
as we offer the healing grace of Jesus.
Go forth to tell stories of hope and peace.
We will spread the Spirit of life all around us.
Choral Benediction “Let Us Live In Peace” (John/Taupin)
Holy Moses, let us live in peace;
Let us try to find a way to make the hatred cease.
There’s a man over there
What’s his color? I don’t care -
He’s my brother – let us live in peace.
Let us live in peace.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Postlude Love and Mercy (Wilson)
I was sitting in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin;
All the violence that occurred – seemed like we’d never win
Love and mercy, that’s what we need tonight,
So love and mercy to you and your friends tonight.
I was standing in a bar and the news came on TV;
A lot of people out there hurting, and it really scares me.
I was praying to a God who sometimes didn’t seem to hear;
Guess the blessings that we most need are the ones we fear.
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