Worship - June 7, 2015

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Call to Worship

One: On this day, we gather with thanksgiving in our hearts.

All: For God's love is ever constant in our lives.

One: On this day, we would talk of all that is ours.

All: Grace upon grace has been poured into our lives.

One: On this day, we would speak of what we believe.

All: We will sing glad songs for all that God has done.

by Thom M. Shuman
transitional pastor at Galloway Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
from Lectionary Liturgies

Opening Prayer

1 - When we are too weary to take another step on the road to the kingdom;

2 - when our hearts are worn down by the pain always rubbing against our lives;

1 - when we are wasting away because of fears and worries,

2 - you come, Soul Strengthener, stretching out your hand to hold us in your love.

(take a breath)

1- When everyone else has turned their backs on us and walked away;

2 - when we cry out in the night only to find the world has turned a deaf ear to us;

1 - when folks think we are crazy because we believe that good can overcome evil,

2 - that love can conquer hate,

1 - that hope can replace despair,

2 - you do not forsake us, but stay at our side, Brother to all people.

(take a breath)

1 - When our doubts rub a callous on our souls;

2 - when we wonder if we are able to see your kingdom emerging all around us;

1 - when others seem to want only the worst for us,

2 - you pull us out of harm's way, Spirit of faith and hope.

(take a breath)

1 - Grace upon grace are the gifts we have received from you, God in Community,

2 - Holy in One,

1 - and we give you our thanks as we pray as we are taught,

1&2 - “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be…” (The Lord’s Prayer)

adapted from a prayer by Thom M. Shuman
transitional pastor at Galloway Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
from Lectionary Liturgies

Call to Reconciliation

We know what it is like to be rejected, but we also remember turning our backs on others. We have experienced conflict, as well as caused pain to others. Let us confess our foolish lives to the One who seeks to forgive us on this day, and every day.

by Thom M. Shuman
transitional pastor at Galloway Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
from Lectionary Liturgies

Unison Prayer for Forgiveness

Everybody else does it, Watching God, and we confess that we do as well. We listen to those whose promises are sold to the highest bidder. We idolize celebrities as if they were teachers of ethics. We long for that one person who will make everything right, once again, once and for all.

Is it any wonder we are a disappointed people, God of Hope? Forgive us for turning our backs on you, even as you continue to stretch out your arms to us. Forgive us for trusting in those who prove to be false, rather than having faith in your love. Forgive us, and fill us with the spirit of faith which is given to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

- Silence is kept -

by Thom M. Shuman
transitional pastor at Galloway Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
from Lectionary Liturgies

Assurance of Pardon

Do not lose heart! God seeks to strengthen our souls, filling us with forgiveness, wonder, and joy!

Glory to you, God of mercy and grace. You want only the best for us, and so we sing praises to you. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.

by Thom M. Shuman
transitional pastor at Galloway Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
from Lectionary Liturgies

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

It is to this great grace and mercy that we respond with our tithes and offerings. We don’t earn forgiveness. It is a gift of God. We just pass along the gift to others. May the Lord bless this passing along.

As the ushers lead us through this time of giving, we turn our thoughts to the other side of the world, under the shadow of the tallest mountain range in the world. Watch while the plates are passed. Ushers?

Offertory Video
(relates to this concern)

Our summer-long Heifer Project

1 - It started with a dream, around 70 years ago, in which Midwestern Brethren dairy farmers and their neighbors, one person at a time, could respond to a tragedy on the other side of the world.

2 - Much of Europe at that time was in shambles in the aftermath of World War II.

1 - Something as simple as giving a family a heifer could provide milk for their hungry children.

2 - And those Brethren farmers had cows to share.

1 - Thus, Heifer Project was born.

2 - The idea was simple.

1 - Each heifer was given with but one condition:

2 - when that cow had its first baby, the calf should be given to another family.

1 - And that family would be encouraged to continue passing along the gift.

2 - Over the seven decades since then, Heifer International has expanded its mission far beyond its Brethren roots, encompassing the world, passing along much more than heifers.

1 - The simple idea behind it remains: provide people with what they need to feed themselves, and encourage them to pass along what they’ve received.

2 - Heifer International also provides education, not only to those in need, but also to folks like us who have the opportunity to make a difference, one person at a time.

1 - Perhaps you have visited the global village at Shepherd’s Spring, which is connected to Heifer International.

2 - School children come from all over to catch a glimpse there of how people around the world live, folks who can benefit from a simple gift.

1 - Adults are welcome to tour that global village, also.

2 - Every year we have a special emphasis on this ministry, which had its beginning in the Church of the Brethren.

1 - This year all of us are challenged to “Read to Feed.”

2 - “Read to Feed” is a summer-long reading program which, ideally, involves all generations.

1 - How does it work?

2 - Well, it starts with those of us who are adults.

1 - We choose a young person with whom we will connect over the course of the summer.

2 - Perhaps this is our own son or daughter.

1 - Maybe it’s a niece or nephew, or a grandchild.

2 - It might be a child in our church, or even a neighbor.

1 - Just reach out and invite them to participate in this program

2 - You become their sponsor, challenging them to read throughout the summer.

1 - “Read what?” you might ask.

2 - The sky is the limit. It doesn’t have to be a book about heifers or hunger.

1 - It can be any book, even one on a summer reading list recommended by their school, or something from our church library

2 - We challenge them throughout the summer.

1 - But here is the difference: we sponsor their reading. For every page, or chapter, or book they read – whatever the two of you decide,

2 - (It could even be the amount of time they spend reading)

1 - you give them money to put in an “ark bank” – which will be collected at the end of the summer.

2 - You choose the amount - per page, chapter, book, or hour.

1 - This money will go to Heifer International to pass along the gift to people in need.

2 - We recommend that the first thing they read is the “Real Kids, Real Animals” student guide, which tells how each animal can help a family.

1 - You probably should read it, too, before you give it to them. That way, you learn something, also.

2 - The step first step is for every adult to pick up a “Read to Feed” packet.

1 - You’ll find these packets in in the back of the sanctuary.

2 - In every packet is:

1 - an “enrollment form”

2 - a bookmark

1 - an ark bank

2 - and a “goody bag” of items to encourage along the way.

1 - You can add your own goodies to this bag.

2 - With this packet in hand, connect with your young person and invite them to participate in this “Read to Feed” program.

1 - Would they like you to sponsor them?

2 - A young person can have more than one sponsor,

1 - and an adult can sponsor more than one child.

2 - Have them fill in the enrollment form and give it back to you.

1 - Your name goes where it says “teacher/leader.”

2 - You will put the enrollment form in a jar here at church.

1 - Between the 2 of you, decide how much you are willing to sponsor, and how you will pay,

2 - whether by the page, by the chapter, by the book, or by the amount of time they read.

1 - Check in with them throughout the summer. How are they doing?

2 - Give them their money to put in their ark bank.

1 - At the end of the summer they return their ark bank, either in person on a Sunday, or through you.

2 - The grand total from all the ark banks will be sent to Heifer International.

1 - Right now, there are 27 “Read to Feed” packets in the back. That’s our goal – 27 readers with sponsors. But we can always make more.

2 - Now, feel free to adapt this program.

1 - “How?” you might ask.

2 - Well, reading is not just for kids.

1 - Challenge the folks in your Bible study,

2 - your Book Club,

1 - challenge the person next to you to really read our monthly church newsletter,

2 - or our weekly “joys and concerns” emails.

1 - Or, read with your feet. Challenge others on our Saturday walks – sponsor them step by step.

2 - The possibilities are endless

1 - Fill an ark. In so doing “pass along the gift.”

2 - One person at a time does it all.

“One person at a time”
(a song by Andy Murray)

Pastoral Prayer

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

1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15

And now we move on to a rendezvous at Ramah. Where this place was is not exactly clear, which is probably not a bad thing. Decisions were made here that completely changed what had been a tribal federation into a monarchy, just because that’s what people wished for. Imagine, if you will, a campground of tents in the middle of an arid valley. This is a temporary home for the people who have gathered to come up with a new way of governing themselves. Samuel is the last of the Judges of Israel, and perhaps the first of its Prophets, speaking for God. Listen.

(take a breath)

1 - Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him,

2 - “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.”

1 - But the thing displeased Samuel when they said,

2 - “Give us a king to govern us.”

1 - Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel,

2 - “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only - you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

1 - So Samuel reported all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said,

2 - “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots;

1 - and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.

2 - He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

1 - He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers.

2 - He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers.

1 - He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work.

2 - He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.

1 - And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves;

2 - but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

1 - But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said,

2 - “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

1 - Samuel said to the people,

2 - “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”

1 - So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal.

2 - There they sacrificed offerings of well-being before the Lord,

1 - and there Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

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

Benediction

Go now with God;
be not tempted to stay in the safety of known places.
Move from where you are to where God points.
Hasten from here toward a God who beckons.

Go now with God;
be not tempted to go only in your time,
      when it suits,
      when it is sure.
   Bestir yourself now, for now is God's time.

Go now with God,
elect not to go alone;
    give your allegiance,
              your destination to no other;
   choose to go with God.

Go now with God.
Go in the faith that there is
      no valley so low
    no wilderness so vast
    no passage so crooked
    no way so confused
         that God is not already there
            waiting to be with you. Amen.

by Earl W. Fike jr.
from For All Who Minister
Copyright ©1993 by Brethren Press, p. 124-5