June 21, 2020
Prayer with Psalms 23
Gathering as the Body of Christ
“Taizé Service is a simple and short service, nonetheless it’s deeply spiritual. Components include prayer, Scripture readings, pastor’s short meditation, congregational singing and silent contemplation. The service fosters an intimate and encompassing relationship with God. Participants report tranquility, appreciation, connection, gratitude, hope and bliss. Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. The Holy Spirit’s Gift of Understanding offers insight and a penetrating intuition of the divine truths of faith, illuminating the mind and allowing one to enter in a divine intimacy with the Lord. Contemplative and meditative prayer service are long-established traditions in Monastic tradition.”
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
Call to Worship
(Jill Lohmeier)
Liturgist: We rejoice in the One who leads us beside still waters,
People: and gives us refreshment of soul.
Liturgist: Christ our Shepherd shows us the way we should go,
People: so that the name of God will be glorified.
Liturgist:Though all manner of evil befalls us, we will not be afraid,
People: for the Great Shepherd of our souls is with us.
Liturgist: We are never away from the love and mercy of the Lord,
People: and we shall be with him forever and ever. Amen!
Opening Prayer
(
Jill Lohmeier
)
God who is gentle yet powerful, lowly yet almighty, shepherd yet king. In Your gentleness, guide us. In Your power, strengthen us. In Your lowliness, strip from us our selfish pride which only destroys us. In Your greatness, lift us up that we might aspire to greater things. As a shepherd, call us to be Your servants. As a King, call us to be Your royal priesthood. O God, who is our shepherd and our King; O Christ, who was crucified and is now risen from the dead; O Spirit, who comforts and empowers; O almighty God, this hour, set us free to worship. Amen.
(My Redeemer Lives website)
Opening Hymn
-
“Stay with Me” - TFWS #2198 (5 times)
Stay with me, remain here with me,
Watch and pray, watch, and pray.
Stay with me, remain here with me,
Watch and pray, watch, and pray.
Scripture Readings
(
Nancy Keelan)
Psalms 23:4; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Matthew 14:22-33
(NRSV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
(2 Corinthians 4:7- 12)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning, he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind,[e] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
(Matthew 14:22-33)
Silence
3 Minutes
(When we try to express communion with God in words, we rapidly reach the end of our capacities. But in the depth of our being, Christ is praying, far more than we imagine.)
Message
- "
I Fear No Evil" - Pastor Seok-Hwan
Special Song
-
“Lean Back" - Morgan and Nate Bott
(Cook, McClarney, Moore, & Brown)
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Prayer Response
-
“Lead Me, Lord" - UMH #473 (2 times)
Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,
make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, You call us to let go of the things we cling to and step out in faith, trusting in Your love and provision. Give us the courage to step out boldly, and sufficient faith to follow without fear. Take our lives and our gifts. Use them to accomplish more than we could possibly imagine, so that, through us, Your kingdom might come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Closing Hymn
-
"
Nada Te Turbe (Nothing Can Trouble)
" -
TFWS #2054 (3 times)
Nothing Can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting.
Nothing Can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
The Blessing and Sending Forth
