Order of Worship August 14

 

CENTERING PRAYER

God of Peace, your call, at times, appears to divide us from one another. Help us to overcome our fears and respond in courage. Give us faith to trust the unity that is beyond our sight. Give us your eyes to recognize the signs before us. We ask this in the confidence of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRELUDE (Sunday Worship) Prelude and Fugue Charles Geissler 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight

and the sin that clings so closely.

And let us run with perseverance

the race that is set before us.

We come to worship together!

† HYMN       “How Firm a Foundation”        HYMN #463

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of hope, we confess our disregard of your care, our doubt of your providence, and our blindness to signs of your love. We are afraid to risk our comforts to find new life; we separate ourselves from you and from others and foster divisions between those you love. Help us amend our lives and make us your faithful people who bear the good fruit of your Word in the world. We continue to pray this in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

†GLORY TO GOD Hymnal #582 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School) 

SCRIPTURE Luke 12:49-56 

SERMON “Cloudy with a Chance...” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM & CONFIRMATION

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

 OFFERING      Since I Have Been Redeemed      Mark Hayes 

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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. 

† HYMN      “Go to the World”      Hymnal #295 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION (Sunday Worship) “May the God of Hope Go with Us” 

Hymnal #765 POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship) Eternal Father, Strong To Save arr. Lawrence Grant

 † You are invited to stand, as you are able 

Photo by Sarah Burgess

Scripture for August 13 and 14

 Luke 12:49-56

Not Peace but Division

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Read full chapter

Photo by Benjamin Disinger on Unsplash

Daily Prayer August 12

The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the good news.

Daily Readings for Friday, August 12, 2022

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading Judges 14:20-15:20
• Second Reading Acts 7:17-29
• Gospel Reading John 4:43-54
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

Loving God, through your Son you have called us to repent of our sin, to believe the good news, and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom. Like Christ‘s first apostles, may we hear his call to discipleship, and, forsaking old ways, proclaim the gospel of new life to a broken world. Great God, you are one God, and you bring together what is scattered and mend what is broken. Unite us with the scattered peoples of the earth that we may be one family of your children. Bind up all our wounds, and heal us in spirit, that we may be renewed as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master and Savior. God of all who stand in awe of you, make us one with all your saints and with any who are in need. Teach us to befriend the weak, and welcome the outcast, that we may serve the Lord and live to offer him glory. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

It Costs Nothing to Be Kind

 St. Mark is offering an all-church Sunday school class during the month of August on “Reclaiming Civility” in all of our interactions. During these divisive times, it seems there are two very distinct camps regarding public engagement. There are those who grab the headlines with their outspoken bombastic remarks on anything and everything. These folks are looking for a fight, and they are not happy until they make you just as unhappy as they are. When you go through life like a hammer, everyone else looks like a nail. We all know people like this. On the other end of the spectrum are those who do not engage at all. They hold strong opinions, but they believe their voice is not important enough to be heard. For them, it’s best to remain silent lest they “stir the hornet’s nest” and get dragged into unwanted conflict. I know many people who, because of fear or uncertainty, are content to remain on the sidelines. 

We will discuss the four virtues of civility over this four-week class. The Apostle Paul describes patience as the first characteristic of love, and it is the primary virtue of civic discourse as we seek to listen and to speak. Integrity demands we represent and respond to other positions honestly and accurately. It prohibits the quick dismissal or intentional mischaracterization of our opponent’s views. The following virtue is humility, and it requires us to be open to the possibility we could change our minds and believe something different than we do now. Finally, we need to reclaim mutual respect and see the image of God in everyone, especially with those who hold different opinions. 

Mark Twain, among many others, is credited with saying, “Don’t wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig enjoys it.” There’s a lot of truth in this quote. There are people who are always looking to sling mud, and it’s best to avoid them since they are not looking for an honest dialogue and understanding. I would never advocate anyone enter into an abusive relationship knowingly. We have to have a discerning heart with whom we are going to engage. As followers of Christ, the one thing we cannot do is abandon the public square to the mean-spirited folks who carry the largest microphones. 

It costs nothing to be kind, and, along with patience, it is a top characteristic of love. Kindness means we don’t shout down our enemies or retreat from these difficult conversations in silence. Kindness means listening honestly to others and speaking truthfully from our own experiences. I really hope you will consider joining us inperson or online for these classes. The world needs your faithful voice, and I believe this class will help you find it. 

In Hope and Confidence,

 Pastor Dave

Order of Worship August 7

 

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

Extravagant God, you offer riches no earthly pleasure can match. You pour out mercy and cover us with love. You show us true justice and offer us peace. You provide us with every need and promise us eternal life with you. In the midst of the glitz and glamour of this world, nothing, and no one, shines with your brilliance. Bathe us in the light of Christ, illumine us with your Holy Spirit, and enable us to live only for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

PRELUDE (Sunday Worship)     Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus     Arr. W. Elmo Mercer 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Friends, we have been raised with Christ to new life,

Freed from every fear,

And granted every grace.

With songs of praise, let us worship God.

† HYMN     “Here in This Place”      HYMN #401

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy God, you lavish us with good gifts, yet we persist in seeking after that which robs us of abundant life. We hold fast to our anxieties and give into greed; we desire the very things that harm us. Forgive us, purify us, and sustain us by the strength of your Holy Spirit, we ask in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

 †GLORY TO GOD Hymnal #582 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School) 

SCRIPTURE Luke 12:32-40 

SERMON “Welcoming the Unexpected” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith, Shorter Catechism

 Question One Q. What is our chief end? 

A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. 

OFFERING    Praise Him! Praise Him!     Mark Hayes

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606 

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 

Invitation to the Table Great 

Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer  

Words of Institution

   Sharing of the Bread & Cup   

Prayer After Communion 

† HYMN “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning” Hymnal #350 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION (Sunday Worship) “May the God of Hope Go with Us” Hymnal #765 

POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship)    Now Thank We All Our God    John Carter 

† You are invited to stand, as you are able 

 

 

Scripture for Aug. 6 and 7

 Luke 12:32-40

Photo by DaYsO on Unsplash

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Watchfulness

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand 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, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer Aug. 5

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Daily Readings for Friday, August 5, 2022

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Judges 9:1-16, 19-21
• Second Reading Acts 4:13-31
• Gospel Reading John 2:1-12
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

Jesus, Good Shepherd of the sheep, by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold: Feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole, and lead us that we may be with you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. In the beginning you separated light from darkness and placed all your works in our hands. You have given us the light of day that we might see your wonders in all we say and do; you give us the gentle darkness of the night that we might rest from our burdens and be refreshed in body and spirit. Break through the darkness of our sins with the splendor of your mercy and love. Send your light to dispel our fears and anxieties and fill us with hope and joy. Glory, praise, and honor are yours, O God. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)