Worship - July 4, 2010

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
July 4, 2010
Worship 10:00 am

“Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals…” (Luke 10:3-4a)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) “My country,' tis of thee” (insert)
Announcements
Prelude

Call to Worship

*Hymn "Praise, my soul, the God of heaven!" 63

*Opening Prayer

Scripture 2 Kings 5:1-14

Song "Like Naaman" (insert)

Unison Prayer of Confession (back of bulletin)

Hymn (vs. 1-2) "Healer of our every ill" 377

Assurance of Forgiveness

Scripture Galatians 6:1-3

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

Hymn (vs. 3-4) "Healer of our every ill" 377

Pastoral Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Hymn "O beautiful for spacious skies" (insert)

Scripture Luke 10:1-11

Message "Traveling light, with purpose" (mp3)

*Hymn "The work is thine, O Christ" 396

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 30)

1 - I praise you, O God, for you heard my cry for help and raising me up from my distress, you healed me.

2 - It is only through your grace, O God, that I have been given a fresh start in life.

1 - Let the whole congregation give thanks and sing praises to God;

2 - For the anger of God lasts but a moment, while the favor of God rests on us for a lifetime.

1 - Weeping may linger for a night, but joy assuredly comes in the morning.

2 - I formerly gloried in my own achievements but now see them all as your gracious gifts.

1 - It took the fear of death to bring me to my senses and see how much I rely on your mercy and grace.

2 - You have transformed my life, O God, from mourning to joy, making my spirit dance and my heart sing your praise forever and ever.

by Moira Laidlaw, adapted
from Liturgies Online

Opening Prayer

Most holy God, in Christ Jesus you have shown us a light and love which is overwhelming. As we worship you, let us not be frightened by your glory but enraptured with your love.
            In quiet confidence, may we take authority over all those negative influences that burden, handicap and seek to ruin humanity.
            Empower us with your Spirit that we may be enabled to take charge of our own lives, without looking over our shoulder or fearing what lies around the next bend.
            Through Christ our Savior. Amen!

by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
from Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary

Unison Prayer of Confession

O God of hope and healing, we confess that our lives are often marked by brokenness and sin. We turn to you in the hope that your hand will pass over us and we will be healed. Yet in our desire for salvation, we prefer healing that comes in our own way and on our own terms. When you do not respond according to our expectations, we turn away in anger and disappointment. Have mercy on us when we grow impatient with your timing, desiring our own. Grant us the humility to receive the words of the humble and lowly. Open our ears to the council of the servants you send us, so that we may be guided into your path of healing. Make us whole we pray. Wash us and make us clean. And grant us faith beyond all fear, so that we may be clothed with your joy and give you thanks forever. Amen.

by Michael L. Hostetter, pastor
Salem Church of the Brethren, Englewood, Ohio
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Assurance of Forgiveness

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

(Psalm 30:11-12)

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

We continue with Paul’s letter to the Galatians, as paraphrased in The Message.

^4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.⁶Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.^7-8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.^9-10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Ushers, please guide our giving.

Benediction

Go now, and proclaim that the reign of God is near.
Travel lightly, but bear one another’s burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Work for the good of all,
avoid temptation,
and pray that God will send more labourers into the harvest.

And may God give you mercy and peace;
May Christ Jesus give you power over all that would harm you;
And may the Holy Spirit produce within you
a rich harvest of joy and life.