Sorry due to techinical difficulties, the video of today's worship service is only available on our private Facebook page.
We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4.4
God’s People Gather … Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship: Leader: The night has now passed and the day lies open before us.
People: Let us greet the beginning of a new week in Christ and acknowledge, with thanksgiving, the circle of life.
Affirmation of Faith
We believe that God is present, in the darkness before dawn.
In the waiting and uncertainty,
Where fear and courage join hands, conflict and caring link arms,
And the sun rises over the town
We believe that God is with us, sits down in our midst, shares our humanity, walks the road we walk; paid a price we were unable to pay And gave his life for this world. Amen
(Amos Trust: Words of Hope, p. 114)
Hymn: VU 222 Come Let Us Sing
Come, let us sing to the Lord our song,
we have stood silently too long;
surely the Lord deserves our praise,
so joyfully thank God for our days.
O thirsty soul, come drink at the well;
God's living waters will never fail.
Surely the Lord will help you to stand,
strengthened and comforted by God's hand.
You dwell among us and cause us to pray,
and walk with each other following your way;
our precious brothers and sisters will grow
in the fulfilling love they know.
Deserts shall bloom and mountains shall sing
to the desire of all living things.
Come, all you creatures, high and low,
let your praises endlessly flow.
Words and music: Jim Strathdee, 1976 Words, Music, Arrangement copyright © 1977 Desert Flower Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Prayer for Renewal: Gracious God, as people called to be your presence in the world, we search our hearts, and ask your forgiveness:
For opportunities not taken, for care not given, forgive us we pray
For sorrow not shared, for joy not celebrated, forgive us we pray
For love not offered, forgiveness not extended, forgive us we pray
For those failings we cannot speak aloud, forgive us we pray
Gracious God we seek your healing grace, and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus. Amen
Words of Assurance
No matter where we are, God is there. No matter what we have done, God forgives. No matter our reluctance to accept God, God has accepted us. With that assurance, we receive forgiveness, and live in fullness and in hope. Amen
To Hear God’s Word
1st Reading: Genesis 32.22–31
Psalm: Psalm 17.1–7, 16
The Gospel: Matthew 14.13–21
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
To Respond in Prayer and Action…
Offertory Hymn: MV 133 Jesus Laughed Out Loud
Jesus laughed out loud
to see the children play;
his joyful presence drew a crowd
we could not send away.
Jesus healed a child
by asking her to rise, a
nd doubtful people wept and smiled
to see her open eyes.
Jesus felt the need;
we made the crowd sit down.
A boy had faith and all were fed,
though we were far from town.
Jesus climbed a hill
to pray and rest alone;
we wondered why we felt the chill
of wind and wood and stone.
Jesus called my name
when he was passing by;
my life will never be the same;
this love will never die.
Words and music: Daniel Charles Damon, 1994. Copyright © 2002 Abingdon Press. All rights reserved.
The Doxology: VU 541
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
Offertory Prayer:
God our sustainer, accept all we offer you this day, and feed us continually with that bread which satisfies all hunger, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Prayers of the People
In our Shared Ministry Church Cycles of prayer, we pray for…
The church / The authorities
The World / The Local Community
Those in need / The departed and those who grieve
When you seem deaf to our prayers and far from us
Lord, lead us on
When you invade our private worlds and we feel you walking with us
Lord, lead us on
From where we are, to where you need us to be
Lord, lead us on
From the security of what we know to the adventure of what you will reveal
Lord, lead us on
To refashion the fabric of this world to the shape of your kingdom
Lord, lead us on. Amen
(Amos Trust: Words of Hope, 116)
Collect
Almighty God, without you we are not able to please you. Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn: MV 144 Like a Healing Stream
Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives as in a dream unfolding,
promising revival and rebirth… like a healing stream.
Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation,
yearning for an end to want and need… like a gentle rain.
Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel in a new direction,
calling for an end to hate and war… like a river strong.
Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons,
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow:
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a mighty sea, like a river strong,
like a gentle rain, like a healing stream.
Words and music: Bruce Harding. Copyright © 2003 Bruce Harding, www.evensong.ca All rights reserved. Used with permission.
The Blessing:
Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak, and help the suffering; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Threefold Amen
Announcements:
Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359. All rights reserved.
- Alastair will be on holidays in August including Sunday August 2, 9 and 16
- Presider for this week's service is Yvonne McNeely
- Church picnic: We are planning an outdoor service and hoping to arrange a BBQ on the church lawn later in August.
