Worship Service for July 7, 2024

July 7, 2024 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship

One: Great is the LORD;
All: and greatly to be praised.

One: Praise God in cities and towns,
All: praise God in all quiet places.

One: Praise God on mountains and hilltops;
All: praise God in every valley, on every plain and in the deeps.

One: Let us raise our praise with all God’s creation;
All: We will praise God’s holy name, here and everywhere, now and always.

Opening Hymn

“Morning has broken.” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 814). Words (1931) by English author Eleanor Farjeon (1881–1965). Music is a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, “Bunessan”. Words and music in the public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Great are you, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made all things and called them good. You created humans in your image, and gave us a calling and a purpose. You lift up leaders and send out disciples to take part in your reconciling work in the world. Your love is endless, your mercy without measure. And so we praise you with heart, mind, strength and soul, in the name of Jesus, your Son, blessed by your Spirit, working in us, with us, around us and beyond us.

God of overflowing grace, we confess we often take your blessing for granted. Forgetting life is a precious gift, we waste time on things that don’t matter. We complain when things don’t go our way, ignoring those who face even steeper challenges. Forgive us, O God. Renew our calling to share your abundant love for Jesus’ sake.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

While it is true that we have all sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ. Receive the mercy of God this day, and be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another.
All: Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Guildwood Senior Choir Presents

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.

Scripture Reading

Mark 6:1–13  <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Mark 6:1–13

6 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 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! 3 Is not this the carpenter, 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. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown and among their own kin and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 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.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, either in person or virtually, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“Lord, Jesus, you shall be my song” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 665). English words (1970; translated from the original French words of 1961) by Anglo-Canadian priest, musician and theologian Stephen Somerville (1931–); music (1961; tune: “Les Petities Soeurs”) by Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus. English words copyright © 1970 Stephen Somerville. Music copyright © 1987 Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus.

Offering

As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Offering – Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th” with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Faithful God, we bring our gifts with trusting hearts, seeking your blessing on the ministries these gifts support. Work through our gifts to touch the world with your healing grace through Christ, in whose name we offer ourselves to you. Amen.

The Prayer of Healing and Reconciliation

Holy God,
In Jesus you reached out to so many different people, with so many different needs, in so many different situations. We thank you for all the ways you have reached out to us, in the embrace of prayer, in the energy of a song, in thought sparked by a sermon, and in the wisdom of Scripture or the words of a friend. Sometimes your healing brings comfort; sometimes it brings challenge and the call to respond. Hear us as we seek your comfort and your challenge for the world, for the church and for our own lives.

Bring comfort to those facing struggles this summer: those whose crops have withered by the extremes of weather; those who cannot find enough workers for their businesses and workers who can’t find secure employment; those whose housing is insecure, and any who are losing hope that things will ever improve.

Bring challenge to those whose decisions affect the well-being of the vulnerable, to those who guide planning for housing and employment, and those who respond to the changing climate and lives  and  livelihoods at risk May your wisdom and compassion guide them.

Bring comfort to those who are lonely or shut in, and to all who have lost beloved family members or friends in recent days. Bring comfort to those who feel pain or anxiety without relief, and those who wait for diagnosis or life-restoring treatment. Offer peace to those who know there is no treatment and wait in hope for your eternal welcome.

Bring challenge to those want to make the world a better place, and to all who work within science, medicine, and the law to improve the quality of life for all people. Give them a vision of their work that is both just and courageous, so that no part of society is neglected or mistreated. Challenge those who stir up violence and unrest with a sense of shame for the cost to innocent lives, and with a deeper understanding of what justice means.

Comfort your church in places where ministries struggle, whatever the reason. And challenge your church to renew our vision for ministry so that our witness is faithful to your all-embracing love, expressed not only in words but also in the actions we take. Challenge us to embrace those who differ from us and yet have a place in your heart and your eternal care. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“One more step along the world I go” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 641). Words and music (both 1971; tune: “Southcote”) by English poet, songwriter and musician Sydney Carter (1915–2004). Words and music copyright © 1971 Stainer & Bell Ltd; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.

Postlude

Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

Last updated 2024-07-07 00:30 – First version.