You can watch today’s service here.
OPENING PRAYER LITANY: PSALM 8
Pastor: Even the name of the Lord is majestic
Peoples: and God’s glory is chanted above the heavens.
Pastor: When I consider all that God has made; the moon and the stars,
Peoples: I find myself asking, “what are mere humans, that you should care for us?”
Pastor: And yet, God has crowned us with glory and honor,
Peoples: setting us to rule over the works of God’s hands:
Pastor: over flocks and cattle, even the wild beasts of the field,
Peoples: over the birds of the air and the fish of the sea.
Pastor: How majestic is even the name of the Lord, throughout the earth!
CALL TO CONFESSION (Shelli Latham, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
It can be daunting to lay our shortcomings before God. But our God knows the trials of humanity, because Christ chose to set aside the glories of heaven to become human — to walk the earth in all its beauty and ache, to experience the joy and heartbreak of human relationships, to feel the weight of expectation. So trusting in our God, who knows us and longs to know us, let us draw near by laying aside the burdens that separate us from God.
I invite you to join with me in our unison prayer of confession, followed by a time either for silent personal confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Shelli Latham, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
God of mercy, in Jesus you modeled power through vulnerability, and victory through sacrifice. But we live in a world that celebrates abundance and might. God of grace, in Christ we find unhesitating welcome as siblings — all children of One loving parent. But, if we’re honest with ourselves, there are members of our human family we would rather avoid.
God of love, reshape us that we might be brave enough to show strength by sharing power, encourage us that we might admit to ourselves our reluctance to acknowledge those across the ocean, over the border, or just around the corner as our family. And reorient us to the trailblazing example of Jesus, whose super power was sacrifice and whose gracious embrace knows no bounds.
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what do you need to confess this week?
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Shelli Latham, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Siblings in Christ, Our savior abandoned the company of angels for this marvelous and messy world, and in his sacrifice we find a fresh start for our relationship with God and with one another. May we live into this new day; in Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
God created the earth that nourishes vines and stalks and branches, providing us with the food we need to live. God created the waters that flow and fall across the earth and the waters that renew us in baptism. The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that grows and expands and transforms everything it comes into contact with. When we make bread, we take separate elements—flour, and water, and salt, and yeast—and we bake them together to form something new. In a similar way, Jesus, the Word of God, is called the true vine, the giver of living water, the anointed one who will change the universe and, like bread, rise again. May the scripture we hear today provide food for our souls, revive our thirsty hearts, remind us to be the salt of the earth, and help us to grow in faith to better become the body of Christ. As it is written, we shall not live by bread alone but by the word of God. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 14:13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 56:5-8
For thus says the Lord:
I will give, in my house and within my walls,
a monument and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to God, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be God’s servants,
all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
and hold fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them
besides those already gathered.
Consider:
- What is the difference between “a people” and “all peoples”?
- How do you imagine God’s house?
- Who still needs to be gathered and invited?
You can listen to Pastor Leia’s sermon, “A House of Prayer for All Peoples,” here.
HYMN COME TO THE TABLE OF GRACE
music and lyrics by Barbara Hamm, 2008
© 2008 Hope Publishing Company
Used by Permission. CCLI License #3456351 and ONE LICENSE # 738214-A
1 Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
2 Come to the table of peace.
Come to the table of peace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of peace.
3 Come to the table of love.
Come to the table of love.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of love.
4 Come to the table of hope.
Come to the table of hope.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of hope.
5 Come to the table of joy.
Come to the table of joy.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of joy.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (PCUSA Special Offerings)
From every place on this planet,
we turn our face to you, O God.
Gather us, all your people,
together, to pray.
In the midst of the forces which would separate us,
bind us in your love as the Church, together.
Strengthen us through the grace of your people gathered,
no matter how we gather,
with the truth of your presence.
In a world aching to be made new,
we cry out with those who suffer the pains
of what powers and principalities extract from the world’s poorest.
We cry out with those suffering from illness and disease,
at whom the world turns a callous glance.
We cry out with those stinging from the sins of white supremacy.
We cry out with those seeking justice, equality, and peace —
peace, at all times, in all ways.
In a world stretching toward wholeness,
we celebrate with those whose lives bear the fruit of your Spirit
and seek to share in your call to partnership.
We celebrate with those whose efforts are making the world new.
We celebrate with all who gather
to earnestly seek your transforming work in the world.
Make us a world that grows into the shape of your communion table,
where all are welcomed and all are fed.
Make us a people who grow your family
by practices of mutuality, generosity and justice.
And may we be found to be witnesses, when Jesus returns,
to the truth of who we were created to be —
people who belong to each other,
people who belong to you, O God,
in your Son, Jesus. Amen.
COMMUNION
GOD WELCOMES ALL
text: John L. Bell (2008)
Music: South African song, transc. John L. Bell, 2008
© 2008 WGRG, Iona Community (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)
Used with permission under ONE LICENSE # 738214-A
God welcomes all, strangers and friends,
God’s love is strong and it never ends.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Blessed are we—for Christ calls us to his table, where there is room for everyone and plenty for all.
Hear the words of institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after giving thanks to God he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.
Let us offer God our grateful praise…
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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 right to give our thanks and praise.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Rising sun, soaring spirit, radiant Lord, you are there in stable and temple, river and hillside, cross and tomb and even beyond the grave. You are there in shining glory, overcoming death and welcoming us to life.
You meet us in the breaking of bread, you pour out the wine of salvation; you feed us with grace and overwhelm us with love.
Great is the mystery of faith!
CHRIST HAS DIED; CHRIST IS RISEN
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
By your Spirit, make these gifts your body and blood.
By your Spirit, make us one with you and with each other.
By your Spirit, make us strong that we might share your love with your blessed and broken world.
Fount of mercy, fire of justice, dearest Friend, bind us to you and send us out to seek and serve and sing your praise, until you gather us up in glory and bright, unending song.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever.
Please join with me in the prayer Christ taught us:
THE 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.
AGNUS DEI
O lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
have mercy on us, Lamb of God, and grant us your peace.
Christ came into this world for everyone and everyone is welcome to share in this meal–baptized or not, a member of this church, another church, or no church, a stranger, a guest, or a wanderer. If you wonder whether you are welcome at this table, you are.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
VIRTUAL COMMUNION
If you are fortunate enough to be worshipping alongside someone, you might offer the elements to each other. If you are worshipping alone at home today, remember that you share this meal with Christians around the world and that God’s arms are around you, no matter how lonely it feels to eat this meal alone.
Remember that this is the body of Christ, broken for you, no matter where you are.
Remember that this is the blood of Christ, shed for you, no matter who you are.
AMEN
Amen, amen, amen.
Prayer After Communion
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life.
As we have been served, help us to serve our neighbors.
As we have been fed, help us to feed all who are hungry.
As we have been loved, help us to love the world—
because in Christ Jesus you have loved us. Amen.
MORNING OFFERING (Shelli Latham, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street) or dropping them off in the mail slot. Alternatively, if you visit peoples presbyterian dot org, you’ll find a donate button at the top of the page that will link you directly to a secure page where you could make a donation online. We appreciate the generosity of the Peoples family as we live out our faith in MISSION and ministry.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Shelli Latham, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Holy God, these offerings are only a portion of all that you have given us. We gratefully present these gifts and entrust them to your work in this world. May our gifts share the Good News of the gospel to those who are in need. May these gifts help unburden those with the heaviest of loads. Amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (FROM A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH)
We believe there is no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus;
for we know that all things work together for good
for those who love God,
who are called according to God’s purpose.
We are convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
HYMN “THIS IS MY SONG”
lyrics by Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness
St. 1–2 © 1934, ren. 1962 The Lorenz Corp.; St. 3 © 1964 The Lorenz Corp.
music by Jean Sibelius, 1899 Arr. © 1933, ren. 1961 The Presbyterian Board of Christian Education (admin. Westminster John Knox Press)
Used by Permission. CCLI License #3456351 and ONELICENSE # 738214-A
This is my song, O God of all the nations
A song of peace for lands afar and mine
This is my home, the country where my heart is
Here are my hopes and dreams, my holy shrine
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine
But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations
A song of peace for their land and for mine
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God’s countenance be lifted upon you and give you peace.
From wherever you are, serve the Lord: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.