The Celebration of the Gospel
July 5, 2015 — Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
God is sovereign over all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm.
God is ruler over the nations.
— Psalm 47.7-8
______ We Gather as The Body of Christ________
GREETING
PRELUDE A Chapel Psalm Dick Wall (Ringtones)
[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 God, Creator of the universe, we worship you.
All: Living Christ, Sovereign of all, we honor you.
Holy Spirit, above and within every power and people, we give thanks for you.
You alone are God, and we worship you. Alleluia!
* SONG Lift Every Voice and Sing Blue hymnal #519
[known as the “Black American National Anthem”]
CHILDREN’S TIME
___________ We Attend to the Word__________
PRAYER OF THE DAY Blue hymnal # 429
OLD TESTAMENT 2 Samuel 5.1-5, 9-10
[David is anointed king of the united northern and southern kingdoms of Israel.]
All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. . David built the city all around from the Millo inwards. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
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NEW TESTAMENT 2 Corinthians 12.2-10
[Paul speaks of “someone” (himself) who experienced in intense visions (“caught up into heaven” and revelations). In order to keep him from being prideful, God inflicted on Paul a “thorn in the flesh”—some kind of difficulty or handicap (we don’t know what it was). He asked for God to remove it, but learned that his power was not in his own flawlessness, but in God’s grace. “Power is made perfect in weakness.”]
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations.
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
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GOSPEL Mark 6.1-13
[Jesus tries to teach and heal in his home town but people believe he is nothing more than the builder’s son. Because of their unreceptiveness, they experience no teachings or miracles. Jesus then sends out his disciples to carry on his ministry of proclaiming, healing and blessing.]
Jesus left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the builder, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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SERMON
SONG For the Healing of the Nations Blue hymnal #428
THE WORD IN SONG There Is A Redeemer arr. Patricia Cota (ringtones)
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 I Love You Lord arr. by Patricia Cota (Ringtones)
* COMMUNION SONG [Tune: This Land Is Your Land]
O God we praise you, loving Creator,
and Christ, we thank you, our gentle savior.
O Holy Spirit, we give you glory.
Glory to God! We worship you.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be 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, you create all things, and nothing is beyond your power.
You form all people in your image, and no one is beyond your love.
You judge the forces of oppression and set us free,
and no power or nation can withstand your grace.
You make us your people, and no boundaries can divide us.
You gather us to your table, not by our deserving but by your grace,
and no one is unworthy; no one is excluded.
Therefore with people in every nation, in every language, we sing your praise:
[sung:]
O Holy, holy, dear God, we praise you.
All earth and heaven shine with your glory.
Blessed are those who come in your name, Lord.
Blessed! Hosanna, God, on high!
Blessed are all who come in your name, who work for justice,
who pray for healing, who proclaim your grace.
Blessed is Jesus, who embodied your love. He taught and healed;
and he gathered a community that crossed all boundaries.
For his witness he was opposed; he was convicted and executed.
But in the power of your grace he rose again.
He has set us free, and so we give you thanks.
… The Blessing and Covenant …
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
…
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 gather us into your Empire of Grace, uniting us with all people Send us into the world to bear witness to our unity, to work for justice, to embody your grace, in the name and the Spirit of Christ, who with you reigns over all nations forever. Amen.
_____ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World______
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG America the Beautiful Blue hymnal #696
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your 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 Celebrate with Gladness Susan E Geschke (Ringtones)
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]