Worship - June 18, 2006

O living Christ,
    come to us in the glory of your risen power;
    come to us in the humility of your wondrous love.
Come and reign among us!
Let new life course through our veins,
    new love bind us together,
    and new vision spur us on to follow you forever.
Even so, come Lord Jesus.  AMEN

Hymnal #677, The Iona Community, Scotland,
The New Book of Christian Prayers,
© 1986 Tony Castle. Edited by Tony Castle.
Crossroad/Continuum Publishing Company.

For Children
"Follow the leader"

Imagining ahead to what he might share with the children on this day, resident storyteller Ed Lewis writes: I'd like to share about "the guidance (parents, teachers, special adults) in the children's life that God has placed there. I'll speak about a cycling class I took in college and how we learned that if we are cycling as a group, the person in the front signals to the rest any dangers in the road. Like this, God gave us parents who have traveled the road ahead of us (i.e. the children) and they tell us of the dangers on the road. Although, parents don't always have time to explain (like the lead cyclist) we trust and take their advice so we don't take a tumble."

Pastoral Prayer

Almighty God,
         you have given us grace at this time with one accord
                  to make our common supplications to you,
         and you have promised through your well-beloved Son
                  that when two or three are gathered together
                  you will hear their requests.
Fulfill now our desires and petitions,
                  as may be best for us,
         granting us in this world
                  knowledge of your truth,
         and in the age to come
                  eternal life,
                  through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #728
Attributed to St. John Chrysostom, 4th c., adapted

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

"Follow the leader." In the 12^th chapter of the book of Hebrews, we find the following encouragement: "since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run (cycle?) with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God " (vs.1-2). No matter where we find ourselves in the "cycle race" of life, at the head of the pack is Jesus. Remember that.

Ushers?

Benediction

This morning’s hymns were picked by the ladies in our Wednesday Quilting group in honor of all fathers.