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Worship Order for
Sunday
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Call to
Worship
Leader: Come, let us worship
People: For we are the people of God's pasture.
Leader: Come, let us worship and bow down,
People: For we are the sheep of God's hand.
Leader: Come, let us worship and bow down,
before the Lord, our Maker.
All: For the Lord is our God,
and God desires our worship!
Hymnal #662
by Earle W. Fike, Jr., from We Gather
Together,
©1979 Brethren Press.
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Pastoral Prayer
written closer to the time (if not at the
moment)
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Scripture
John 6:35-40
In the gospel of
John, we find a somewhat different account of what happened
beside the sea. John remembered a boy who shared his leaves and
fish which then were multiplied to feed a multitude. However, in
this telling, Jesus moved beyond filling bellies toward filling
the minds, hearts, and spirits of those who gathered around him.
On this day of rest, having turned aside together to
this “desert” place, perhaps his words (remembered by John) can
feed our minds, hearts, and spirits as we prepare to share
communion. Listen:
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes
in me will never be thirsty. 36But I said to you that
you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37Everything
that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes
to me I will never drive away; 38for I have come down
from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent
me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I
should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up
on the last day. 40This is indeed the will of my
Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have
eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”
(John 6:35-40)
scripture text
from
the New
Revised Standard Version
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Invitation
In this desert
moment, this wilderness space, we come away from the frantic
pace of our daily work to rest a while with the One who
continues to call out, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to
me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never
be thirsty.” … Be still my friends, and be open to receive the
broken bread and the cup of communion. It is for you.
Just as the manna in the
wilderness was enough to feed the children of Israel for one day
of their journey, so this tiny piece of bread is enough to
nourish our spirits for this day of rest. Remember the body of
Christ which was broken for all. Just as water flowed from the
rock in the desert to sustain those who followed Moses, so this
little cup of grape juice is enough to quench our thirsty
spirits today. Remember the blood of Christ which was shed for
us all.
No matter who you are, come and
receive. This time of rest, this place in the wilderness is for
you. Jesus is here. The Spirit moves among us. Your Creator
awaits. Let us pray.
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Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God,
who provides rest to the weary,
guidance to those who humbly seek,
healing to those who are broken,
freedom to those who are imprisoned,
hope to those who have lost it,
peace to the anxious heart,
abundance to those who only see scarcity,
life in a world preoccupied with death;
God of grace and glory, we ask your
blessing
upon this time and place,
upon this bread and cup,
upon this gathered body
- the church of Jesus Christ.
We are filled with gratitude
for what you have done
through the One who died for us.
We are touched by grace
for what you continue to do
within, around, beyond, and through us.
We rest in you, O Lord, Master of the Universe.
In the name of Christ Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
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Eating
This bread is the communion of the body of Christ,
which was broken for all.
Take and eat.
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Drinking
This cup is the communion of the blood of Christ,
which was shed for all.
Take and drink.
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Unison Scripture Reading
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no
evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort
me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the
presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup
overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days
of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Hymnal
#814
from the Revised Standard Version.
Copyright 1946, 1952, 1959, 1973
by the Division of Christian Education of
the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
of America.
All rights
reserved. Used by permission.
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Responding with our Tithes and Offerings
Great, holy, and just Lord, you
bless us so richly. Help us to better see your gifts, be they
great or small. And grow in us a desire to pass on each gift,
that like loaves and fishes, our baskets might overflow. May
these offering plates be a sign of what you are doing in us.
Bless them and bless us, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Dedication
(off-e-1)
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Benediction
May the re‑creative power,
the Sabbath rest of the Lord
empower you this coming week
to live out your faith,
rooted in God,
balanced in the Holy Spirit,
and
sent forth in the name of
Jesus Christ.
To him be glory and
honor. Amen.
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