The Celebration of the Gospel
August 7, 2016 —12th Sunday after Pentecost
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division!
Even households will be divided”
–Luke 12.51-52
________ We Gather as the Body of Christ______
GREETING
PRELUDE We Thank Thee Jesus, Dearest Friend Dietrich Buxtehude
—We welcome and thank our guest organist, Cathy Meyer—
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Holy One, you are present for us.
All: We come to be present for you.
You create us and sustain us.
Each of us is your miracle.
By your Spirit help us be true to the miracle you have created.
Shape us, guide us, and fill us with your grace. Alleluia!
* SONG When Morning Gilds the Skies Blue hymnal # 185
CHILDREN’S TIME
___________We Attend to the Word___________
THE WORD IN SONG The Lord’s Prayer Albert Hay Malotte
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of love, speak your Word to us. Help us hear your voice. Shape us by your grace. Help us be true to you, true to your love, true to the glory that is our own souls. Bless us that we may not conform to this world, but be transformed by a new mindfulness, the mind of Christ. We pray in the grace of your Spirit. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT Hebrews 11.36 – 12.2
[The author praises our spiritual ancestors who lived by faith—trusting God’s grace even when they couldn’t see end results—and describes the power of that faith. Therefore we should have courage and follow Jesus who is the “pioneer of our faith,” going on before us in the way that we should follow. ]
Some of our ancestors suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were beheaded, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats. They were homeless, persecuted and tormented, yet the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, heroes of the faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not be made perfect. apart from us
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
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GOSPEL Luke 12.49 – 56
[Jesus says he is bringing “fire to the earth” and warns us that if we follow him in the way of peace and justice, healing and grace, if we have passion for the refining fire of God’s transforming grace, people will be offended and even loved ones will be divided against us. But Jesus urges us to ignore other people’s anxieties: though it will make you the odd one out, stay true to God’s truth and love.]
Jesus said: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
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SERMON
SONG Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley Black hymnal # 2112
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
PASSING THE PEACE
___________We Share at Christ’s Table _________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS Holy Manna Joseph Martin
* COMMUNION SONG Food for the Body Steve G-H
Food for the body, food for the soul,
making us one again, making us whole.
Grateful we are that you faithfully give
the Spirit of love, the power to live.
1. Remembering Jesus, we thank you for all that he’s done.
He gives us his Spirit, and feeds us, and makes us all one
in love, in faith, in you.
2. The body of Jesus, broken and risen to live,
you give us to eat, by your grace to become and to give
to all, for all to live.
3. The Spirit of Jesus arises in us like a dove,
to give us the courage to live every moment in love
in you for you, forever.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
God of the swirling stars, the flowing brook, the loving heart,
you call us to your table.
God of the awakened soul, of healed flesh and forgiven hearts,
we come with joy and thanksgiving.
You create all things in your love. You claim us in love. You set us free for love.
And so we come to this table, a table like no other,
that unites us, blesses us, and makes us new.
So we sing your praise, with joy and gratitude,
in one voice with all creation.
[Sung:]
Holy, holy, Holy Lord, God of love and might,
heaven and earth shine with your glory.
Praise be to you!
Blessed is the one who comes in your name and in your spirit.
Hosanna in the highest. Praise be to you.
Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He loved and taught, healed and blessed all people.
True to your love and grace alone,
and not conforming to the fears and desires of those around him,
he embodied your grace, and gave himself in love.
[The Blessing and Covenant….]
Whenever we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts, [to our local food bank]
that they may be for all who receive them the body of your love.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, that receiving the Body of Christ,
we may become anew the Body of Christ.
By your Spirit in us, may we be shaped by your Word,
steadfast in your truth and living with your love.
Make us one with Christ, one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world,
to your glory and your delight.
Amen. Our hearts we give you. Praise be to you!
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Mother, 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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have filled us with your love, shaped us as your living Word, and nourished us to be your praise. Send us out in the name of Christ and the grace of your spirit, for the healing of the world, to your glory and your delight. Amen.
_______We Are Sent in Ministry to the World____
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG Shalom to You Blue hymnal #666
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
* RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Toccata in F Major Dietrich Buxtehude
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]