SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25, 2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, you who hunger for food.
Worship the Lord who turns wants into plenty.
Come, you who hunger for justice.
Worship the Lord who turns weeping into laughter.
Come, you who hunger for life.
Worship the Lord who is our hope and our strength.
*HYMN #336 “Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me”
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
And reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I’d live,
Myself to Thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole,
My joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
May every act, word, thought, be love.
O Love, how gracious is Thy way!
All fear before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away,
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.
This love unwearied I pursue
And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.
O may Thy love my hope renew,
Burn in my soul like heav'nly fire.
And day and night, be all my care
To guard this sacred treasure there.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your Word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that, believing in the one whom you have sent, we may know him to be the true bread of heaven and food of eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ, when the crowds surrounded you, hungry for bread and for your word, you took an offering—five loaves, two fish— and made for them a feast. Still, O Lord, we doubt the abundance of your grace. Still, O Lord, we are hesitant to share the gifts we have. Still, O Lord, we wonder whether there is enough for all. Forgive us, O God, and make of us a more generous people. Empower us to share the gift of our lives, and enlighten us to see the miracles around us. For you are the giver of grace upon grace, the one who turns want into plenty.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the good news of God’s promise: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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, Am
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God, by your Holy Spirit, tell us what we need to hear and show us what we ought to do to obey Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:4
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 14 (read responsively)
1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.
3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon the Lord?
5 There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.
6 You would confound the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Ephesians 3:9-21
9 to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
REFLECTION: “God’s Powerful Love” Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN: (insert) “Take O Take Me as I Am”
Take, O take me as I am;
Summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me.
Take, O take me as I am;
Summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
There is only one Lord and God from whom all things come and for whom we live. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
SPECIAL MUSIC – Bonnie Foster, pianist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
Awesome God, Jesus fed thousands of people with seemingly little effort. Yet, we have grave difficulty feeding children in our own country—let alone the entire world. Even while we are praying this prayer, someone has died from starvation and the lack of food. When we share resources with care-giving ministries, your hand is upon our shoulders, just like it was upon Jesus’ shoulders the day he fed his followers. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to change lives by becoming generous caregivers of the resources that you first gave to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
John 6:1-21 (David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
...May we know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
Continued Health Requests:
-unspoken (God knows the need)
-Heather (Ella’s daughter)
-Don K (Carol’s husband) and Carol as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Gene G
-Andrew L
-Judith (Judy & Mike’s sister-in-law)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Melissa (SDSU student from Peru) and her mother Monica
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Jack (Lee’s father)
-Kara (Richard & Dolores’ daughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Riley (son of Rev. Norlita’s friend)
For continued recovery
-LaVonne B
-Carrie VB
-Bob & Jan J
-Sharon W
-Brent (nephew of Roger & Marvis J)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Trudy N, Don & Kay N, Nancy O, Martha & Nora O.
For our new confirmand’s journey: Gayle F is starting her confirmation journey. Donna F will be her mentor.
Our homebound or in care members: Barb B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V. (Please reach out and call)
Those who mourn:
We continue to pray for the Boe, Marshall, McCann, Salonen, Fishback, Kennedy N., Watson, Kaul/Robinson families and for all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing. Prayers for all hospital workers, especially doctors and nurses, and first responders across the world and their families.
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 into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN #294 “Wherever I May Wander”
Wherever I may wander, wherever I may be,
I’m certain of my Maker’s love; God’s care is over me.
God made the great mountains, and made the wide blue sea;
God made the sky where airplanes fly; God made the world, and me.
Throughout the whole creation I see God’s loving care
For everyone in every land, God’s children everywhere.
Wherever I may wander, wherever I may be,
I’m certain of my Maker’s love, God’s care is over me.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the church.
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES: Worship services are now being held in the sanctuary and online via Zoom.
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be celebrated the first Sunday of August.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for August: Dorothy W, Dennis H, Scott H, Bob B, Paige F, Dennis L
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for August: Chad & Diane B, Robby & Donna F, Dan & Carolyn M, Bob & Jan J, Joel & Bonnie F, Stanley & Julie S, Andrew & Beth L, Martin & Sally M
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
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 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg.365; Prayer of Intercession~ written by The Rev. Lowell Grisham. Posted on Text This Week. http://www.textweek.com/
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25, 2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, you who hunger for food.
Worship the Lord who turns wants into plenty.
Come, you who hunger for justice.
Worship the Lord who turns weeping into laughter.
Come, you who hunger for life.
Worship the Lord who is our hope and our strength.
*HYMN #336 “Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me”
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
And reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I’d live,
Myself to Thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole,
My joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
May every act, word, thought, be love.
O Love, how gracious is Thy way!
All fear before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away,
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.
This love unwearied I pursue
And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.
O may Thy love my hope renew,
Burn in my soul like heav'nly fire.
And day and night, be all my care
To guard this sacred treasure there.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your Word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that, believing in the one whom you have sent, we may know him to be the true bread of heaven and food of eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ, when the crowds surrounded you, hungry for bread and for your word, you took an offering—five loaves, two fish— and made for them a feast. Still, O Lord, we doubt the abundance of your grace. Still, O Lord, we are hesitant to share the gifts we have. Still, O Lord, we wonder whether there is enough for all. Forgive us, O God, and make of us a more generous people. Empower us to share the gift of our lives, and enlighten us to see the miracles around us. For you are the giver of grace upon grace, the one who turns want into plenty.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the good news of God’s promise: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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, Am
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God, by your Holy Spirit, tell us what we need to hear and show us what we ought to do to obey Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:4
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 14 (read responsively)
1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.
3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon the Lord?
5 There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.
6 You would confound the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Ephesians 3:9-21
9 to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
REFLECTION: “God’s Powerful Love” Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN: (insert) “Take O Take Me as I Am”
Take, O take me as I am;
Summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me.
Take, O take me as I am;
Summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
There is only one Lord and God from whom all things come and for whom we live. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
SPECIAL MUSIC – Bonnie Foster, pianist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
Awesome God, Jesus fed thousands of people with seemingly little effort. Yet, we have grave difficulty feeding children in our own country—let alone the entire world. Even while we are praying this prayer, someone has died from starvation and the lack of food. When we share resources with care-giving ministries, your hand is upon our shoulders, just like it was upon Jesus’ shoulders the day he fed his followers. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to change lives by becoming generous caregivers of the resources that you first gave to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
John 6:1-21 (David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
...May we know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
Continued Health Requests:
-unspoken (God knows the need)
-Heather (Ella’s daughter)
-Don K (Carol’s husband) and Carol as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Gene G
-Andrew L
-Judith (Judy & Mike’s sister-in-law)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Melissa (SDSU student from Peru) and her mother Monica
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Jack (Lee’s father)
-Kara (Richard & Dolores’ daughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Riley (son of Rev. Norlita’s friend)
For continued recovery
-LaVonne B
-Carrie VB
-Bob & Jan J
-Sharon W
-Brent (nephew of Roger & Marvis J)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Trudy N, Don & Kay N, Nancy O, Martha & Nora O.
For our new confirmand’s journey: Gayle F is starting her confirmation journey. Donna F will be her mentor.
Our homebound or in care members: Barb B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V. (Please reach out and call)
Those who mourn:
We continue to pray for the Boe, Marshall, McCann, Salonen, Fishback, Kennedy N., Watson, Kaul/Robinson families and for all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing. Prayers for all hospital workers, especially doctors and nurses, and first responders across the world and their families.
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 into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN #294 “Wherever I May Wander”
Wherever I may wander, wherever I may be,
I’m certain of my Maker’s love; God’s care is over me.
God made the great mountains, and made the wide blue sea;
God made the sky where airplanes fly; God made the world, and me.
Throughout the whole creation I see God’s loving care
For everyone in every land, God’s children everywhere.
Wherever I may wander, wherever I may be,
I’m certain of my Maker’s love, God’s care is over me.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the church.
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES: Worship services are now being held in the sanctuary and online via Zoom.
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be celebrated the first Sunday of August.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for August: Dorothy W, Dennis H, Scott H, Bob B, Paige F, Dennis L
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for August: Chad & Diane B, Robby & Donna F, Dan & Carolyn M, Bob & Jan J, Joel & Bonnie F, Stanley & Julie S, Andrew & Beth L, Martin & Sally M
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
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 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg.365; Prayer of Intercession~ written by The Rev. Lowell Grisham. Posted on Text This Week. http://www.textweek.com/