Worship 7/16/23

TheWorshipofGod

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 16, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m.

*We invite you to stand as you are able.

Gathering at God’s Invitation

Welcome AngelaZimmerman

CalltoWorship AngelaZimmerman

God scatters the seeds of reconciliation and love, and waits….

So much of it lands on flat pathways or rocky roads and won’t take root….

God scatters the seeds of healing and hope, and waits….

Shallowness and fear claim the seeds and they cannot live.

God scatters the seeds of redemption and peace, and waits….

These are the places of deep growth where the seed will cast down strong roots.

God scatters the seeds, and waits…

May our hearts be the rich soil in which God’s love takes root.

LightingoftheChristCandle

KellyRoberts

We light the Christ candle as a reminder that Christ is the one who has drawn us to this place, abides with us now, and is with us to the end of the age.

Prelude Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

LifeoftheCommunity

Offering Ourselves to God

*Hymn#660

O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

ScriptureReading Genesis25:19-34

The Word of God for the People of God

Thanks Be to God.

PrayerofConfession

WilliamWaller arr CindyBerry

TommyWells

MARYTON

AngelaZimmerman

TommyWells

O God, Sower of seeds of love and grace, we confess that we, too, have sown seeds: Seeds of anger which springs from our flinty hearts;

Seeds of bitterness which flows like a rushing river into another's heart; Seeds of hurtful words which wrap their thorny briars around a friend's kindness;

Seeds of selfishness which poisons a loving relationship.

Forgive us, Loving God, and have mercy.

Your grace can turn our fallow hearts into rich fields of love. Your hope can smooth the rocks in our way, so we can go to be reconciled to another.

Your love for us can untangle the thorny mess we have made of our lives. Bless us with these gifts, we pray. Amen

AssuranceofPardon TommyWells

Hear the good news! There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Know you are forgiven, and be at peace.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

*Hymn#412

GivingourTithesandOfferings

Sweet Hour of Prayer

SWEETHOUR

OffertoryPrayer SarahFain

Offertory We Will Give You Praise Unending AllisonGilliam,2007 UNENDINGPRAISE(359)

*Doxology(Hymn#706)

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.

Listening to God

TheChurchatPrayer&TheLord’sPrayer

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.

Anthem Down to the River to Pray Traditional (ChoirwithMargaretCaldwell,Soloist) arr.PepperChoplin

*ScriptureReading Matthew13:1-9,18-23

AngelaZimmerman

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God

Sermon “ParableoftheSower”

Responding to God’s Word

DisciplineofSilence

AngelaZimmerman

To be in God’s presence is to be changed. During this moment of silent reflection, consider the change God wishes to make in you.

*Hymn#500 Just As I Am WOODWORTH (Stanzas1,3&6)

If you sense God calling you today, we invite you to respond during this time of invitation. If God is calling you to follow Jesus for the first time, to rededicate yourself as a Christ-follower, or as a faithful Christian, to join the fellowship of our church, we encourage you to come forward to speak to our pastor during this closing hymn.

Sending Into God’s World

Benediction

Postlude Let All Things Now Living

AngelaZimmerman

TraditionalWelshMelody arr.CindyBerry

(Please put your nametag in the basket provided at either entrance when leaving.)