July 6, 2008
- Eighth Sunday after Pentecost -
Meditation Music
Jesus, our wisdom and hope, when we feel the load is heavy:
Make us ready; Make us prepared; Make us strong;
So that, in you, we can bear what we must for the sake of your reign. Amen.
- Seasons of the Spirit
- Gathering in God’s Presence
*Please stand as you are able. -
Prelude - Jesus, meine Zuversicht - J. S. Bach
(Jesus, my Confidence)
Bearing in the Light of Peace
Bringing in the Light of Christ - Acolyte
* Congregational Introit - Enter, Rejoice, and Come In - #73, v. 1 & 4 -
* Call to Worship
L:This is a day to celebrate new life!
P:To open our eyes to the beauty of creation,
LTo open our ears to the sounds of God’s world,
P:To open our hearts to God’s people all around us!
L:This is a day of gladness and joy!
P:We give thanks for Jesus, who welcomed all people,
L:We give thanks to the Spirit who brings us new life,
All:We give thanks to God - who loves us, restores us, and fills our hearts with joy!
* Hymn of Praise - This Is My Song - #591
* Prayer of Confession [Unison]
Eternal Holy One, we look to your saving power and grace. Enter those parts of ourselves that disturb us and heal them. Use our broken places as the places where you bring us together in community. Transform our own weakness into compassion for the weakness of others. Give us that graceful combination of humility and self-esteem that we may see ourselves and others as you see us - your restored and loved people. Amen.
* The Assurance of Pardon
L One fact remains and does not change: God has loved us, loves us now, and will love us always. This is the Good News that brings us new life.
All:Thanks be to God!
* Passing the Peace
L:As God’s forgiven and renewed people, let us now greet one another with the peace of Christ.
The Peace of Christ be with you!
P:And also with you!
* The Song of Praise (sing 2 times) - Gloria
Proclaiming God’s Word
The Old Testament - Psalm 107:1-9 - Pew Bible, page 559
The New Testament - Matthew 11:16-19; 25-30 - Pew Bible, page 11
The Continuing Testament - from Amazing Grace - by Kathleen Norris
Time with Young Worshipers
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
L:The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Because the promise of the Gospel is not only to us, but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s Church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith
P:This is the water of baptism. Out of this water we rise with new life, forgiveness and grace as members of the One Body of Christ.
Parental Promises
Pastor:Do you desire to have your child baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Parents:We do.
Pastor:Will you encourage him to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
Pastor:Will you teach and encourage him that he may be lead to know and follow Jesus Christ?
Parents:We will, with the help of God.
Pastor:Do you promise to grow with him in the Christian faith, to help him be a faithful member of the Church - by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission, and by offering him the on-going nurture of the Church?
Parents:We do, with the help of God.
The Congregational Promise
Pastor:Members and friends of Brecksville United Church of Christ: Are you prepared to welcome, encourage and pray for Luca as he grows in faith among us?
People:We promise Luca our love, our support and our care as he lives and grows among us as a child of God.
The Act of Baptism
Prayer for the Baptized
L:Let us pray.
All:We give you thanks, O Loving God, for this your child and for the grace poured out here today in water and the Holy Spirit. Embrace us all as sons and daughters in the one household of faith. Grant us all the grace to receive, nurture, and welcome each and every child of yours who comes among us. Give to Luca, newly baptized, strength for life’s journey, courage in times of trouble, the joy of faith, the freedom of love, and the hope of new life; through Jesus Christ, who makes us One. Amen.
Special Music - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Handel
Ron Beebe, tenor
Sermon - Lighten-Up! - Pastor Dave Shackle
Hymn of Reflection - O Come to Me, You Weary - - #484
[sung to the tune Aurelia #386]
The Church at Prayer
Silent Meditation
Prayer of the Church
Our 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.
Organ Response -
Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings
The Invitation
Offertory - With the Wings of Our Mind - Cho
“With the wings of our mind on the new wind flying,
to the silent breathless world our love sending,
let the brave justice flag wave high above,
to the heav’ns and the earth freedom bringing...”
Ik-Wham Mun, Korea; tr. Marion Pope (20th century)
* The Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
* Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
All good gifts around us come from you, O God. You have given us life and new life in Christ. May our giving be acceptable in your sight, and may our gifts and our lives be used to serve you and to serve others. We pray in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us all. Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Communion Hymn - As We Gather at Your Table - #332 Verse 1
The Thanksgiving
L:God be with you.
P:And also with you.
L:Lift up your hearts!
P:Our hearts rejoice in God’s presence!
L:Let us give thanks for God’s Holy Love!
P:It is right to give God thanks and praise!
L:You have called us into your Church, O God, to accept the cost and joy of discipleship to serve you in serving the entire human family; and to proclaim your Good News to all the world. In gratitude, we accept your call and praise your holy name, saying:
All:Holy, holy, holy, God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of your glory, O God Most High!
Words of Institution
Prayer of Consecration
The Invitation
Receiving the Bread and Cup
Communion Music - Pastorale - Milhaud
Prayer of Thanksgiving [Unison]
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table of grace. We ask that you now strengthen our faith in you, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace; through Jesus Christ our ever-present Savior. Amen.
Going with God’s Love
* Hymn of Departure - God of the Ages - #592
Carrying the Light of Christ into the World - Acolyte
* Circle of Fellowship
As we move to form a circle around the pews, we will sing Halle, Halle, Hallelujah (3 times) Hallelujah, Hallelujah. After the benediction is pronounced, we will sing it through once more. Our circle is open near the door as a symbol of our welcome to new people to our community of faith.
* Commission and Benediction
Postlude - God of Freedom, God of Justice - Foote
