ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Good News Sunday School is hosting a food collection for the Carthage Food Pantry with help from a $250 grant from Thrivent! You can also help by bringing non-perishable food items to the church this Sunday, August 9. There is a marked bin by the front doors of the church to drop off donations after car church.

Be a pen pal to one of the residents of a senior center in NC. Click here for addresses and to meet a new pen pal. If you would like more information, contact Katarina Smith.

Attention parents of college students-The congregational care team would like to remain in touch with your student no matter if they are on campus or learning remotely. Please send the name of the school they are attending along with their mailing address to Helen Moeser or the church office.

PRELUDE

"Prelude on Simple Gifts"

SILENCE

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

  and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the Lord is against evildoers,

  to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,

  and rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,

  and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:15-18

OPENING HYMN

"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"

1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me till I want no more; (want no more) feed me till I want no more.

2. Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;

let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.

Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,

be thou still my strength and shield; (strength and shield) be thou still my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;

death of death and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises,

I will ever give to thee; (give to thee) I will ever give to thee.

SPECIAL MUSIC

"Give Me a Song"

Out of gratitude for all God has given us, we respond by giving back to God’s world around us. Click here to offer your talents toward building up our community, and also consider giving financially online or by mailing a check to the church.

"All Creatures of Our God and King"

54 He came to his hometown and began to teach the people[a] in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” 58 And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

14 At that time Herod the ruler[b] heard reports about Jesus; 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[c] 4 because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Though Herod[d] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod 7 so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; 10 he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

FINAL HYMN

"All People That On Earth Do Dwell"

Torin Wright & Sheila Oakes

1. All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell; come ye before him and rejoice.

2. Know that the Lord is God indeed; without our aid he did us make;

we are his folk, he doth us feed, and for his sheep he doth us take.

3. O enter then his gates with praise; approach with joy his courts unto;

praise, laud, and bless his name always, for it is seemly so to do.

4. For why! the Lord our God is good; his mercy is forever sure;

his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of life. We pray that in times when we feel surrounded by grief, You will wrap your arms around us in comfort and love. We thank you for the gift of joy and hope in the midst of suffering. You are with us no matter what. Give us the strength to pursue your purposes for our lives. In Jesus' name, amen.