12.07.08 Ordinary 14B English

Prelude:  Andante larghetto e staccato (from Concerto, Op. 7, No. 5) (G. F. Handel)

Hymn:  God of justice (Shirley Erena Murray/RHUDDLAN, John Evans) *
Call to Worship BDP

One:  O God our Maker, you constantly renew the face of the earth.

All:  We worship and adore you!

One:  O God our Liberator, you constantly renew our salvation.

All:  We worship and adore you!

One:  O God our Helper, you constantly renew our sagging hopes and waning love.

All:  We worship and adore you!

One:  Most wonderful God, let us bring our dearest joy to worship

and let our worship enlarge our dearest joy.

For your love’s sake.

All:  Amen!

Hymn:  Word of God, come down on earth (James Quinn/LIEBSTER JESU, Johann R. Ahle) UMH
Prayer of Confession BDP

One:  During a few moments silence, let us place ourselves within the light of Christ, examine our hearts and minds, and recognise where we have lost our way and neglected our calling.

—Silent reflection—

One:  If we have been so busy that we don’t notice the needs of others,

or have resented those who do take time to be kind and generous,

or have disgraced our faith by becoming self absorbed:

All:  Forgive us, loving God, and save us from ourselves.

One:  If we have been too proud to undertake humble tasks,

or too impatient to do tasks that have no immediate reward,

or too stubborn to seek the help of others.

All:  Forgive us, loving God, and save us from ourselves.

One:  If we have magnified small wrongs done to us,

or have allowed tiny difficulties to frustrate us,

or have been thick-skinned, inflexible or unteachable.

All:  Forgive us, loving God, and save us from ourselves.

—Silent reflection—

One:  God has mercy.

All:  Christ has mercy.

One:  God has mercy.

My fellow pilgrims on Christ’s mountain road, take heart.

God does not have to be persuaded to forgive us;

it is more likely our pride that holds us back from accepting forgiveness.

For Christ’s sake, let’s down our guard, open our minds and hearts,

repent and accept the Gospel of free grace.

All:  In Christ there is grace.

In Christ there is peace.

In Christ there is love and joy.

Thanks be to God!

Song of Praise:  Ain't-a that good news (African-American Spiritual/EM) *
Prayer of the Day BDP

God our God, do not let us be afraid of the hard questions

          but rather let us fear the pre-cast answers with which this world’s exploiters

          would dearly enslave us.

Grant us the grace to be unsettled by your Christ in his profound

          simplicity; to travel with him, to see him at work, to watch his face,

          to hear his words and sometimes to tremble with awe.

When at last we have sharpened our questions to the keenest point,

          let these same questions pierce our ignorance and make room in us for a creed,

          deeper than words and higher than our aspirations. Through Jesus our Christ.

          Amen!

Sh'ma Israel (Tsvika Pik)
Reading from Hebrew Scripture:  Ezekiel 2:1-7
Alleluia (Simei Monteiro) * HH
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6
Sermon:  Welcome home!
Hymn:  God of creation, to you be all praise (John C. Winslow/SLANE, Irish traditional) 
Affirmation of Faith

One:  I believe in God who cares for every human being,

and in Jesus Christ who lived, suffered, died and rose for all,

and in the Holy Spirit who gives us new life and strength.

All:  I believe that faith can move mountains of evil and despair,

bridge the gulf between nations and races,

and plant hope and respect in every community.

One:  I believe that God is leading us to a brighter future,

where justice and peace shall flow like waters

and love prevail like an everflowing stream.

All:  I believe that the essence of these things is present now,

inaugurated by Christ and sustained by the Spirit

and blessed by the tireless providence of God.

Amen!

Announcements
Offerings (regular and food) 
Song:  Inspired by love and anger (John Bell/THE SALLEY GARDENS, English traditional, arr. Benjamin Britten) L&A **
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Song:  Sent out in Jesus's name (Cuban traditional) Sent

*seasonal for Ordinary Time/July
**Britten's English folk song arrangement used as accompaniment for the unison singing of this song




Forces:
Soprano
Organ/Piano