SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
7th Sunday after Pentecost
7-19-2020
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
We have come to worship the living God,
who knit us together when we were yet unnamed,
and welcomes us with a parent’s embrace.
We have come to worship the almighty God,
who searches us and knows our hearts,
and still loves us completely.
We have come to worship the eternal God,
who seeks us wherever we are
and shepherds us with a guiding hand.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy Trinity, I come to You as Your child. Not hesitant, not fearful, but full of giddy expectation of what I will learn from You today, what fun we will have journeying together. I run to You like a chick seeking shelter under Your wings, comfort me with Your tenderness, nourish me with what I need to grow strong and protect me with Your fierce love. I have come here today to worship You with my sisters and brothers in Christ. You made me to praise You, may my whole life be a song of adoration. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
It is only by the power of God that we are able to stand against evil.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You know when we cultivate kindness and our lives bear fruit that blesses the world. You know, too, when our words sow seeds of discord and our actions choke out generosity and grace. When we produce more weed than wheat, forgive us. As we wait with eager longing for your reign to be revealed in our midst, plant within us gifts of love and mercy, so that we might live as children of the kingdom and bear fruit that enriches your harvest.
(Silent Reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Now stand firm in your faith, covered by the saving grace of God and ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Listen to the word of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 28:10-19
10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Romans 8:12-15
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
Keep these words in your heart. The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God . Deuteronomy 6:6
REFLECTION: “Wheat and Weeds” Rev. Norlita Kaul
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage. People are free to seek life within the purpose of God: to develop and protect the resources of nature for the common welfare, to work for justice and peace in society, and in other ways to use their creative powers for the fulfillment of human life.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.17
We Offer Ourselves to God: “God with Us” Richard Smith/soloist
(By offering up our time, talents, intellect and resources, we’re asking God’s blessings upon them. Please prayerfully consider sending your tithes/offerings to the church by mail or by designating your church donation through the bill paying option if you do online banking. Sharing of ourselves within a phone call/text or email is another way in the offering of ourselves.)
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Salvation, we seek to be children of your heavenly kingdom. Yet, our self-deceiving ways cause us to believe that we will be more generous givers once we have satisfied our own personal, material desires. Change our thinking. Help us to be faithful disciples who recognize that everything we have in life is a gift from you. Inspire us to share our resources as a response to your unconditional love. Amen. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 forgive our debtors. And lead us not temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
HYMN “We Gather Together”
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
(Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2019-2020 Year A Vo.53.1 PCUSA, David S. Bell, and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 363.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been called by Session for next Sunday, July 26th following worship. The purpose will be to elect an at-large member of the nominating committee to complete Gary Larson's term. There will also be an update on the church finances at this meeting.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
-Teri B.’s mother Bev (fall), her son Anthony, her aunt Natalie (cancer) and uncle Marvin
-Jan & Bob Jones
-Jack Edge (Lee’s father)
-Sue Boy (Bonnie’s mother)
-Judy Smith (hand issues)
-Sharon Webster
-Donna W.’s sisters Rhonda & Terri dealing with cancer issues
-Nancy O.’s husband
-Marvis J.’ sister Marvel (medical issues)
-Ann, wife of Rev. Terry Drew
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, for these joys, we give you thanks.
*******
The Worship bulletin, music, and video sermon are available on our church’s website www.brookingspresbyterian.org for use at home during this time of COVID-19.
An e-mail copy of the message is available by request from the church office.
7th Sunday after Pentecost
7-19-2020
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
We have come to worship the living God,
who knit us together when we were yet unnamed,
and welcomes us with a parent’s embrace.
We have come to worship the almighty God,
who searches us and knows our hearts,
and still loves us completely.
We have come to worship the eternal God,
who seeks us wherever we are
and shepherds us with a guiding hand.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy Trinity, I come to You as Your child. Not hesitant, not fearful, but full of giddy expectation of what I will learn from You today, what fun we will have journeying together. I run to You like a chick seeking shelter under Your wings, comfort me with Your tenderness, nourish me with what I need to grow strong and protect me with Your fierce love. I have come here today to worship You with my sisters and brothers in Christ. You made me to praise You, may my whole life be a song of adoration. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
It is only by the power of God that we are able to stand against evil.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You know when we cultivate kindness and our lives bear fruit that blesses the world. You know, too, when our words sow seeds of discord and our actions choke out generosity and grace. When we produce more weed than wheat, forgive us. As we wait with eager longing for your reign to be revealed in our midst, plant within us gifts of love and mercy, so that we might live as children of the kingdom and bear fruit that enriches your harvest.
(Silent Reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Now stand firm in your faith, covered by the saving grace of God and ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Listen to the word of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 28:10-19
10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Romans 8:12-15
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
Keep these words in your heart. The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God . Deuteronomy 6:6
REFLECTION: “Wheat and Weeds” Rev. Norlita Kaul
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage. People are free to seek life within the purpose of God: to develop and protect the resources of nature for the common welfare, to work for justice and peace in society, and in other ways to use their creative powers for the fulfillment of human life.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.17
We Offer Ourselves to God: “God with Us” Richard Smith/soloist
(By offering up our time, talents, intellect and resources, we’re asking God’s blessings upon them. Please prayerfully consider sending your tithes/offerings to the church by mail or by designating your church donation through the bill paying option if you do online banking. Sharing of ourselves within a phone call/text or email is another way in the offering of ourselves.)
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Salvation, we seek to be children of your heavenly kingdom. Yet, our self-deceiving ways cause us to believe that we will be more generous givers once we have satisfied our own personal, material desires. Change our thinking. Help us to be faithful disciples who recognize that everything we have in life is a gift from you. Inspire us to share our resources as a response to your unconditional love. Amen. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 forgive our debtors. And lead us not temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
HYMN “We Gather Together”
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
(Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2019-2020 Year A Vo.53.1 PCUSA, David S. Bell, and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 363.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been called by Session for next Sunday, July 26th following worship. The purpose will be to elect an at-large member of the nominating committee to complete Gary Larson's term. There will also be an update on the church finances at this meeting.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
- Those with health concerns:
-Teri B.’s mother Bev (fall), her son Anthony, her aunt Natalie (cancer) and uncle Marvin
-Jan & Bob Jones
-Jack Edge (Lee’s father)
-Sue Boy (Bonnie’s mother)
-Judy Smith (hand issues)
-Sharon Webster
-Donna W.’s sisters Rhonda & Terri dealing with cancer issues
-Nancy O.’s husband
-Marvis J.’ sister Marvel (medical issues)
-Ann, wife of Rev. Terry Drew
- Those who mourn:
- Today’s Prayer Families: Don & Jan Boe, Barbara Borstad, Carey Bretsch, Lisa Bretsch
- Our homebound or in care members: Barb Borstad, Delores Koepsell, Nona Marshall, Helen Peterson, Cliff Rindels, Stephen & Carrie Van Buren, Dee Watson
- Feeling isolated, please reach out and call: Cliff Rindels and Dee Watson
- Prayers for our sister church First Presbyterian in Madison, SD, Pastor Mark Werner and Clerk of Session Trudi Nelson; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends
- Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing.
- Prayers for those who are decision-makers concerning the reopening of our schools in our nation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY for July!
- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for July!
Lord, for these joys, we give you thanks.
*******
The Worship bulletin, music, and video sermon are available on our church’s website www.brookingspresbyterian.org for use at home during this time of COVID-19.
An e-mail copy of the message is available by request from the church office.