July 11, 2021 – Order of Worship
 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – God Inspired Joy
 
Music While You Wait
 
Welcome, Announcements, Joys & Concerns Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
Prelude “Voluntary”                                                                 Michael Danner
                by Charles Zuener                                                                         
 
Call to Worship (based on 2 Samuel & Psalm 24)            Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
One:  Come, let us come into the House of the Holy One
           with song and dance.
All:    We come to worship our God,
           the Creator of heaven and earth, seas and rivers,
           and all that dwells within.
   
One:  The Lord of the Dance beckons us
           to join in this time of celebration and joy…
All:     That we might know that we are gathered
           in God’s holy place.
 
One: We join the psalmist with songs of the glory
           of the God of Hosts.
           We seek to know God’s faithfulness and wisdom.
All:    Let us enter God’s rhythm of life
           and follow in the ways of the Word.
           God will bring us home where dancing
           and joy will never end!    
 
Call to Confession
 
One:  This is a moment given by God to confess our sins
                      against each other, all that God created, and God.
                      Let us take this moment to account
                      for the ways in which we have not embodied
                      what it means to be created in the image of God.
 
Prayer of Confession
 
            One:  Holy God, we confess that too often we have not been open
                       to the rhythms of life you offer us.
                       We let ourselves be put off your pace and allow
                       ourselves to wander off into our own songs.
           All:     Too often the melodies of the world confuse us.
                       We have led ourselves and others to paths
                       that are not according to your loving pace and direction.
 
           One:  Help us pay attention with all of our senses.
                       Make our dancing faithful;
                       help us take the risks that are part of letting you lead.
           All:    Pull us back into your rhythms.
                       Clean our hearts, purify our hands and steady our feet
                       that we might know and share your blessings.
 
 Assurance of Pardon
 
One: The God of Hosts assures us that if we trust in God’s word,
                  we will be led back to the songs that God would have us sing.
                  God is eager to show us the path home. Accept the offer of the
new song we have been given through Jesus Christ.
 
Gathering Hymn #436BH                        “God of Grace and God of Glory”
 
           God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;
           crown your ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
           Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
           for the facing of this hour.
 
           From the evils that surround us and assail the Savior’s ways,
           from the fears that long have bound us –
free our hearts for faith and praise.
           Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, for the living of these days,
           for the living of these days.
 
           Cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control.
           Shame our reckless, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
           Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, make our broken spirits whole,
           make our broken spirits whole.
 
Listening to the Still Speaking Word
 
Old Testament Lesson –2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-15, 17-19 Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
           David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned who is on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab; were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all of the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.
           So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
           They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.             
 
Prayer of Illumination #283BH                             “Spirit of the Living God”
 
        Spirit offerings of the Living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. 
melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
 
Lesson from the Epistles – Ephesians 1:3-14              Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
               Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. 
 
Prayer of Illumination #283BH                             “Spirit of the Living God”
 
           Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me;
           Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
           Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
           Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
 
Message “Adopted as God’s Children”                              Rev. Del Olivier
 
                                                                                                                            
Hymn of Reflection #547BH      “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
 
           Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
           I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
 
           ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
           How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
 
           Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come;
           ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grass will lead me home.
 
           My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures;
           God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
 
           When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
           We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when they’d first begun.
                      
Responding to God with Our Lives
 
Invitation to the Offering                                                   Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
           When David danced rejoicing before the Arc of the Covenant, his joy was not complete until he had made an offering of thanks, and distributed gifts of food and drink to all who were in need. Perhaps the most joyful and challenging of all the commandments is to generosity and mutual care: to love one another as God loves us. Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude, commitment, and praise.   
 
 
Offertory “Communion”                                  Michael Danner
                 by Francois Dubois
 
Blessing Over the Gifts                                                   Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
Blessed Jesus, you surprise us by naming us your friends. Your dances of faithfulness and life, open before us a way of unexpected justice, mutuality and joy. Take these gifts and bless them and let them serve your people at home and throughout the world, all of us your cherished friends.
 
Communion Hymn #346BH          “Bread of the World, in Mercy Broken”
 
           Bread of the world in mercy broken, Wine of the soul in mercy shed,
           By whom the words of life were spoken, and in whose death our sins
are dead.

           Look on the heart by sorrow broken, look on the tears by sinners shed,
           And be your feast to us the token that by your grace our lives are fed.
 
Communion (Pages 5-9 BH – Option B)                                Rev. Del Olivier
 
(All may be invited to stand)
PASTOR:  Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from death appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at the table with two disciples, and made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
 
ALL: This is the joyful feast of the people of God. Men and women, youth and children, come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and gather about Christ’s table.
 
PASTOR: This table is for all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.
 
COMMUNION PRAYER
 
PASTOR: God be with you.
 
ALL: And also with you.
 
PASTOR: Lift up your hearts.
 
ALL: We lift them to God.
 
PASTOR: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
 
ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise,
 
PASTOR: We give you thanks, Holy One, almighty and eternal God, always and everywhere, through Jesus Christ, the only begotten by you before all time, by whom you made the world and all things.
           We bless you for your continual love and care for every creature. We praise you for forming us in your image and for calling us to be your people.
           Although we rebelled against your love, you did not abandon us in our sin, but sent to us prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.
           Above all, we give thanks for the gift of Jesus, our only Savior, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
           In the fullness of time you came to us and received our nature in the person of Jesus, who, in obedience to you, by suffering on the cross, and being raised from the dead, delivered us from the way of sin and death.
           We praise you that Jesus now reigns with you in glory and ever lives to pray for us.
           We thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads us into truth, defends us in adversity, and gathers us from every people to unite us in one holy church.
           Therefore, with the entire company of saints in heaven and on earth, we worship and glorify you, God Most Holy.
 
ALL: Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty,
           the whole universe speaks of your glory,
           O God Most High.
 
           Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God!
           Hosanna in the highest!
 
(The people may be seated. As following words are spoken, the pastor may indicate the communion elements.)
 
PASTOR: For in the night of betrayal Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to you, broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, and said: “Take, eat: This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
 
In the same way also after supper, Jesus took the cup, and after giving thanks, gave it to them and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
 
ALL: Christ has died.
           Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
 
PASTOR: Holy One, show forth among us the presence of your life-giving Word and Holy Spirit, to sanctify us and your entire church through these holy mysteries. Grant that all who share the communion of the body and blood of our risen Savior may be one in Jesus Christ.
           May we remain faithful in love and hope, until the perfect feast with our exalted Savior in the eternal joy of your heavenly realm.
 
ALL: Gracious God, accept with favor this our sacrifice of praise, which we now present with these holy gifts. We offer to you ourselves. giving you thanks for the perfect offering of the only one begotten by you, Jesus Christ our Savior.
           By whom and with whom and in whom, in unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be to you, eternal God, now and forever. Amen.
 
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
 
 
PASTOR: Let us pray as Christ our Savior has taught us.
 
ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forget out debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
BREAKING BREAD AND POURING WINE
(The bread is broken and wine is poured as visible and audible reminders of the sacrificial self-giving of Jesus Christ. These actions call to mind the cost as well as the joy of Christian discipleship.)
 
PASTOR: (while taking the bread and breaking it)
            The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.
 
PASTOR: (while pouring the wine and raising the cup)
           The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.
LAMB OF GOD
 
ALL: Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world: give us your peace.
 
CALL TO THE SUPPER
 
PASTOR: The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died and was raised for you.
 
SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS
 
PASTOR: (while giving the bread)
           The body of Christ, the bread of heaven,
 
ALL: Amen!
 
PASTOR: (while giving the cup)
           The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
 
ALL: Amen!
 
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
(All may be invited to stand)
 
PASTOR: Let us pray.
 
ALL: Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
  
(Source of this Communion Service: The Pilgrim Hymnal, Copyright 1995, Order of Worship, Service of Word and Sacrament I, pages 5-10, Option B)

Parting Hymn #561BH                    “When in Our Music God Is Glorified”
               
          When in our music God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride,
          It is as though the whole creation cried: Alleluia!
 
          How often, making music, we have found
a new dimension in the world of sound,
          As worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!
 
         So has the church, in liturgy and song,
in faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
         Borne witness to the truth in every tongue: Alleluia!
 
         Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
         And may God give us faith to sing always:  Alleluia!
 
Benediction                                                                        Suzanne Johnson
                Worship Leader
Go forth into the world in faithfulness. Join all those who have danced with the Lord throughout the generations. Take the song and rhythm of God’s Word and invite others to celebrate the joy with you. Amen.
 
Postlude “Fugue in C Major”                                                Michael Danner
                 by George Frederic Handel
 
God Inspired Joy: Service Prayers for Pentecost Seven was written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood of Cleveland, Ohio.
 
Worship Ways – Copyright 2021, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.