Sunday, August 30, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Beginning next Sunday, September 6 car church will be held weekly at 9 am (weather permitting) and will continue to include bring your own communion and the option of lawn seating for those who feel comfortable being outside their cars. Please bring your own blanket/chairs. We will continue to honor social distancing.

Have you ever wondered what information is left out of the sermon on Sunday morning? Have you ever wondered what biblical insights are left unspoken because they never made it past the cutting room floor? If so, the plan to join pastor David for a virtual Bible study on Wednesdays from 10 -11 am beginning this week (9/2) as we explore in greater detail the scripture for the coming week of worship. This interactive and shared experience will allow us to plumb the depths of God’s Word as we listen for what God is saying to us today. For more information or to register, please contact pastor David.

Upper Room Devotionals for September/October are available at the front doors of the church. Feel free to stop by and pick up a copy for yourself and one to share with a friend.
PRELUDE

"Majesty, Worship His Majesty"
Darlene Skinner
SILENCE

Set a timer for 5 minutes and use a breath prayer.
On the inhale, pray "You know the waters..."
On the exhale, pray, "...and You know me."
OPENING PRAYER

Almighty God, you have sent Jesus to take our nature upon himself and to be for us a sign and Savior. Grant that by the power of your spirit, Christ may be born within us today, so that our worship and ministry would be pleasing to you and helpful to your people. We pray this in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
OPENING HYMN

"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"
Torin Wright & Darlene Skinner
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see ’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
ANTHEM

"Peace in the Valley"
Tory Wright, David Yoder, Blaine Riney and Dustin Bonecutter
SPECIAL PRAYERS

In light of the most recent violence experienced this past week in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in cities affected by Hurricane Laura, we offer these special prayers for peace and healing in our nation.

Lord, you are merciful and loving, gentle and compassionate, caring tenderly for all you have made. We thank you for how you care for us in the midst of our joy and in our suffering. Your love for us enables us to see and love those who are hurting. Your compassion for us inspires us to extend grace upon grace to others. Today we want to lift up victims of violence in our country, especially those in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We pray for those who are grieving a deep loss due to violence. We pray that your presence would be felt by them and comfort them. Deliver us from violence, from words and deeds that encourage discord, prejudice, and hatred; from everything that prevents us from fulfilling your promise of peace. Help us to be peacemakers, who speak and act only with love. Give us courage to do justice. Give us grace to be attentive and responsive. Let us play a small part in your great work of peace and justice. 

Lord, you are our Rock in whom we take refuge, you are our strength and our shield. You do not shrink from danger but willingly enter the chaos of our world. Be a refuge for those who have had to flee their homes in fear of violent winds and surging waves. Soothe their pain and confusion. Hold close those who are in the chaos of recovering from devastating ecological disasters. Calm them in their distress. Equip us, too, to give of ourselves- our prayers, our finances, our time- to help those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
OFFERING

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.
LESSON FOR THE CHILDREN

Memory Verse: Matthew 14:27b “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Share a time where you had to be courageous. (a speaking role in the school play, surgery, moved to a new school)
  3. Where were the disciples in this story? What happened that made them scared?
  4. Who walked on the water toward them? What did Peter need to do to walk on the water, too?
  5. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Why is God’s way best? Why shouldn’t we trust our own understanding?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
CONTEMPORARY SONG

"This Is Amazing Grace"
The Connections Praise Band
SCRIPTURE LESSON

 Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[a] for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind,[b] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”


MESSAGE

"A Day in the Life: Into the Storm"
by Pastor David
FINAL HYMN

"Here I Am, Lord"
Torin Wright & Darlene Skinner
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, we now pray that the spirit which was in Jesus Christ will be in all of us, enabling us to know your will and empowering us to do your will. Amen.
Ludolf Backhuysen German born Dutch painter, painting ca. 1695
Want more Contemporary worship? Check out the all new YouTube "playlist" for a complete mini-Connections service, with greeting, prayer, sermon, and two sing-along songs! Click on the button below to view.