Bethel Congregational Church UCC Worship Bulletin

Bethel Congregational Church United Church of Christ Ontario, California

August 7, 2022 w Ninth Sunday after Pentecost w Communion Sunday Sermon: “The Real Thing”

Centering Words (Luke Luke 12:32)

Do not be afraid, little ones. It is God’s pleasure to give you the kingdom Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Pastor Bethel Congregational UCC is a church that does God’s work in the world, nurtures spiritual growth, and helps to build a loving community.

Bethel is an Open and Affirming Congregation 1

g Worship of God in Word & Sacrament h

Prelude

Music for Meditation

Sandy Gunn

Call to Worship- Psalm 107 (Responsive) L: The Lord calls us today to be people of justice and mercy.

P: Our worship is hollow if it focuses only on our own gratification.

L: The Lord asks that our words of hope become actions of peace.

P: Thanks be to God who challenges and calls us.

L: Let our ministry together bring peace and justice.

P: Let our lives reflect God’s love and mercy. Amen.

Opening Prayer - Acts 2, John 14 (Unison) Surprising God of mercy and love, thank you for calling to us this day. We praise you that you challenge us to show our faith in ministries of peace and justice, offering compassion to all in need. Open our hearts and minds today to hear your words of encouragement and challenge. We offer this prayer in Jesus’ Name.

Amen. *Gathering Hymn

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Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees

* Please stand as you are able

1 Let us break bread together on our knees; let us break bred together on our knees.

Refrain: When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, My God, have mercy on me.

2 Let us drink wine together on our knees; let us drink wine together on our knees. [Refrain] 3 Let us praise God together on our knees; let us praise God together on our knees. [Refrain] Passing the Peace Announcements - Special Concert Saturday August 13 at 11am. “Summer Joy: Bach” (See Flyer on the back page) Special Music Children’s Time

Arioso

Sylvia Lee Mann, viola

J.S. Bach, from Cantata BWV 156

*Gloria Glory to the Creator The Christ, the Holy Spirit Three in One As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end, Amen, Amen.

Pastor Sylvia

Scripture Readings Isaiah 1:1, 10–20 Donna Saxton I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz.

And this is the message[a] that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah: You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah!

So listen to the Lord God: “Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don’t like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.

“Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me?

Stay out of my temple! Your sacrifices are worthless, and your incense disgusting.

I can’t stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship. I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well.

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They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying.

“No matter how much you pray, I won’t listen. You are too violent.

Wash yourselves clean! I hate your filthy deeds.

Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done.

Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.”

I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over.

Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours.

But if you turn against me, your enemies will kill you.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

Gospel: Luke 12:32–40 Pastor Sylvia “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Sermon

“The Real Thing””

Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

Prayer of Transformation - adapted from Isaiah 1: 16-20 (Unison) God of Redemption, You call us to wash ourselves clean, so that our transgressions fall away.

May we cease doing evil, learn to do good, and seek justice.

You call us to rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.

May we not forget these responsibilities you’ve set before us.

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We are grateful for the reminder from the prophet Isaiah that, though our sins are like scarlet, you’ll make us like snow!

Even though they are red like crimson, you make them like wool!

May we be obedient and willing followers, pleasing unto you. Amen.

Prayers of Hope and Healing Silent Prayer – bring your joys and concerns to God The Lord’s Prayer (Unison) 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 and ever. Amen Call to Offering - Invitation Please remember to give your offerings so that we can continue our ministries. You may give to specific ministries or projects. (just write that in the message area.) If you forget– just email us (info@BethelUCCOntario.org) or message us through Facebook.

Giving Options: In person – As we are not yet “passing the plate”, you may leave your offering in the offering plate at the front of the worship area.

Other Options

v Give online at www.betheluccontario.org. v Use ZELLE to transfer directly from the bank (our email ID is info@betheluccontario.org)

v MAIL – to 536 N Euclid Ave Ontario CA 91762 Offering Dedication Prayer (Unison) Generous One, receive the gifts we bring as we return a portion of your treasure to the use of your kin-dom.

May your will be manifested and your creation restored through sharing these offerings.

Amen

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a

Celebration of Holy Communion

b

Invitation Words of Remembering Prayer of Consecration Sharing of the Elements Leader: The bread on your table is blessed and broken like the picnic of grace.

Eat these grains of the promise of life.

Unison: Sharing love, we will never be hungry.

Leader: The cup in your hand is blessed to share with overflowing tears and joy. Drink from the fruit of God’s vine Unison: Drinking deeply, we will never thirst.

Leader: The gifts of God for the people of God. The table is ready. Let us share the meal.

Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: In thanksgiving for a meal that heals yesterday and empowers tomorrow, we pray …

Everyone: O Holy One, as we receive this sacrament, we think we eat a gourmet menu, only to discover we are to become your “food trucks” of love and justice, compassion and courage, in every corner of every city for all of your children who need a meal of hope and healing. Thank you for the sustenance and the call.

Amen. *Singing into Mission

Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning

1 Keep your lamps trimmed an burning, (3x) for the time is drawing nigh.

Refrain: Sisters, don’t grow weary; brothers, don’t grow weary; children, don’t grow weary, for the time is drawing nigh.

2 It’s our faith makes us happy, (3x) for the time is drawing nigh. [Refrain] 6

3 We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, (3x) for the time is drawing nigh. [Refrain] 4 Every round goes higher, higher (3x) for the time is drawing nigh. [Refrain]

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Benediction (Unison)

People of God, made ready by God’s love and mercy: Go forth into God’s world to serve in ministries of justice, kindness and peace.

Know always that God’s peace is with you.

Amen!

Go in Peace

Postlude

The Mighty Carillon

programmed by Wayne Howell

Please join us for fellowship and refreshments after Worship Please welcome our new members McKenzie & Marta

All music licensed and used by permission (CCLI, One License, Artist Permission, PD)

Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Pastor & Minister of Music.............. drmann@betheluccontario.org Sandy Gunn, Diaconate Chair............................................................. sgunn@betheluccontario.org

Bethel Congregational Church, UCC

536 N. Euclid Ave, Ontario, California 91762 www.betheluccontario.org | info@betheluccontario.org

www.facebook.com/BethelOntario

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909-984-9111