Worship - July 1, 2007

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
         the world, and those who live in it;
         for he has founded it on the seas,
                  and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
         Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
                  who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
                  and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord,
         and vindication from the God of their salvation.
         Such is the company of those who seek him,
                  who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
         and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
         that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
         The Lord, strong and mighty,
                  the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
         and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
         that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
         The Lord of hosts,
                  he is the King of glory.

Hymnal #815
New Revised Standard Version

Responsive Prayer

Leader: We gather as pilgrims
                On a journey of faith.
People: We come seeking the cloud of your presence
               as we travel the way.
             We come seeking your pillar of fire
               to light our darkness.
All: Shine in our hearts, O God,
         with the light of your love.
        Make your presence known
          through Jesus the Christ. AMEN

Hymnal #661
by Ruth C. Duck, altered
from Flames of the Spirit, ed. Ruth C. Duck
copyright � 1985The Pilgrim Press

For Children
"About being strong"

Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

In the Gospel of Mark, there is the account of Jesus observing people putting money in the temple treasury. It says that many were rich, and they cast in much money. But it is a poor widow to whom Jesus calls his disciples attention. Few, small and weak describes her in every way. She had only two coins to give. It was all that she had. She apparently had no money to meet the needs of the next day. Yet she offered all to God. Her strength was in her Lord, in whom she trusted for her very existence. Consider the widow, her giving and her faith, as you make your offering today. The ushers will come forward to receive your offering.

by Ellis Shenk

Preface to 1 Samuel reading

You all know the story of the Philistine champion named Goliath and his challenge to the Israelite army lead by King Saul. This story that captivates our imagination as children, and stays with us for life. Goliath was a giant of a man, strong enough to carry a massive weight of armor and weapons. His very height made it difficult for men of normal size to attack him, and to defend themselves from him. Goliath was the picture of strength, and he and the Philistine army had weapons superior to those of the Israelites. For over a month, morning and evening, Goliath challenged the Israelites to send a man to fight him, in substitution for an all-out battle between the armies. The winner was to take all.

But in this story, the surprise challenger, the small shepherd boy David, is of equal interest. He was sent by his father on a regular schedule to take his three older brothers some bread, cheese and other snacks, and to bring back news about how they were doing. As David greeted his brothers among the soldiers, Goliath came out to repeat his usual challenge. David let it be known that he would go to fight Goliath (after all, if he lived through it, he would be wealthy, as well as having the promise of King Saul's daughter). Finally he was brought to speak directly to King Saul. Because the story is told in great detail, we'll pick out those verses that seem to capture David's thinking and feeling. Those portions of I Samuel 17 are listed in your bulletin.

(Then, 1 Samuel 17:32-37, 41-43, & 48-49)

by Ellis Shenk

Benediction