July 12, 2020
Gathering as the Body of Christ
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
Call to Worship
(Melva-Jean Shepherd)
Liturgist: Come, all who need help!
People: Our help comes from God, the one who made heaven and earth.
Liturgist: Come, all who desire blessing!
People: Our blessing comes from God, the God of Abraham, the God of the ages.
Liturgist: Come, all who long for salvation!
People: Our salvation comes from Jesus Christ, the one sent by God to save the world.
Opening Prayer
(Melva-Jean Shepherd)
God of the ages, we come into this holy space asking for your blessing, only to find that the abundance of your love is already around us. Open our eyes to see the blessing of your creation in the beauty all around us. Open our ears to hear the blessing of your word as it is proclaimed in story and song this day. Open our hearts to experience the blessing of faith through the gentle touch of a friend or the supportive smile of a stranger. And open our doors, that we may become vessels of your blessing to a world still in need of salvation. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Opening Hymn
-
“
Open My Eyes, That I May See
”
- UMH #454
Scripture Readings
(Melva-Jean Shepherd)
Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(NRSV)
Message
- "
Exploring the Blessed Life
" - Pastor Seok-Hwan
Message in Music
“
Amazing Grace
"
Pamela & Bruce Goody (Brian Ryder’s sister & brother-in-law)
by John Newton
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Prayer Response
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” - UMH #133 (vs 3)
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Offertory Prayer
Generous God, you shower us with gifts, including the greatest gift of all, your own Son, Jesus Christ. In thanksgiving and praise, we offer you our time, our money, our very selves. In these actions, we proclaim our intention to be a blessing in your world. Amen.
Closing Hymn
-
"
Give Thanks
" -
TFWS #2036
The Blessing and Sending Forth
