Worship for July 31, 2022: The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 13, Year C

THE GATHERING

* Please stand if willing and able

Gathering Music: Hymn #19 “God of Great and God of Small”

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude: “Healing Grace” by Gary Sadler and John Chisum

* Call to Worship         

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation

The Lord will speak peace to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.

Surely Salvation is at hand for those who fear the Lord, and God’s glory will dwell in our land. Therefore, let us pray:

* Prayer of the Day    

Holy One, you see us for just who we are, and yet you love us with a parent’s love. In your enduring love for us, we see both our guilt and our acquittal. Gracious God, continue to guide us and teach us to walk in your ways. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

* Hymn of Praise #44 “Like a Mother Who Has Bourne Us”

* Invitation to Forgiveness

Considering God’s steadfast love, let us approach God acknowledging our brokenness, asking for forgiveness.

* Prayer of Wholeness

Nurturing God, you continue to point the way on account of your love for us; yet we do not always follow where you lead us.  Sometimes we turn away from you and go our own way; forgive us, and return us to our rightful home in you, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

* Kyrie #437 “You are the Lord, Giver of Mercy”

* Assurance of Pardon and Passing of the Peace

Friends believe this Good News: God is One and God is Three – Love constantly flowing in, out, and through; the gift of Jesus Christ for me and for you. For this we say:

Thanks be to God!

Since God has loved us through Christ, let us love one another. Please share a sign of peace with those with whom you are worshiping.

Sung Response: #591 “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” (Chorus 2X)

Celebrating Joys and where we have seen God at work.

Sung Response: #628 “Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord”

THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination:

These Ancient words, O God, are inspiration. Guide us today as we listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.  Fill us with understanding, and the will to heed and do.  Amen.

Hebrew Scripture Reading: Hosea 11:1-11 p. 1113 OT

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”

Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 p. 271 NT

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”

Children’s Moment

Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21 p. 101 NT

“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”

Message: “TL 07-31-2022 P13 YC Avoiding Soul Forgetfullness” ~ Pastor Scott

Please spend several moments in silent reflection

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

* Hymn: #175 “Seek Ye First”

* Affirmation: Summary of the Law according to Luke 10:27

Our Lord Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Intercessory Prayers of the People

Call and response: “Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers.”

Invitation to Present Our Offerings

Through Jesus Christ, God cautions us against storing up riches for ourselves.  Let us consider these things and give as our conscience and abilities direct us.

Offertory: “Minuet in F” A. Mozart     

* Doxology: #606 (with text below)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Christ, all creatures here below;

Praise Holy Spirit evermore;

Praise Triune God whom we adore.  Amen.

* Prayer of Dedication, Thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Prayer

Holy One, we give you thanks for the richness of our lives. Bless these tithes and offerings, that they might be used as expressions of your steadfast love for those in need near and far.  We offer these gifts – and our very lives – in the name of your son Jesus, who taught his disciples to pray, saying: “Our Father…debts…debtors…”

* The Lord’s Prayer is found on p. 35 in Hymnal (Español en p. 40)

SENDING

* Closing Hymn #694 “Great God of Every Blessing”  

* Charge:

Remember that we are like flowers of spring, destined to slowly fade through summer and fall, yet filled with the endless cycle of seed-life renewing.  Move out into the world, conscious of how your blooming brings joy and beauty to those around you.

* Blessing

* Congregational Song “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Lyrics found on the inside front cover of the hymnal. Bathrooms and a diaper changing station are located in the Fellowship Hall.  Please join us across the way for refreshments and conversation following worship.

Questions for Reflection

Sometimes divine love includes judgment. But the judgment of God is love. What do you think might be the only way that we can be rejected or separated from that divine love? Would God be rejecting us, or would we be rejecting God’s love?

Household Prayer: Morning

Loving God, as I embark on the adventure of this new day, I will imagine you as the kind of mother or father who teaches me to walk with cords of human kindness and love.  Therefore I will not fear failure or worry that I will not have enough time or goods if I give a little to those in need.  Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

Thank you, God, for the gift of this day.  Thank you for bringing me home to you.  As I fall asleep, I will consider your steadfast love for me and repeat with my breathing, “You are rich toward me, and I am rich toward you.” Amen