Worship - June 21, 2015

Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
June 21, 2015
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

Father’s Day

David said, “The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” So Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you!” (1 Samuel 17: 37)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) “Faith of our fathers” 413
Announcements
Prelude

*Call to Worship Psalm 9:9-14

*Hymn “A mighty fortress is our God” 165

*Opening Prayer

Scripture 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory Song “Cowboy Dan” (lyrics)
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Scripture Mark 4:35-41

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

Hymn “Dear Lord and Father of mankind” 523

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture 1 Samuel 17
(booklet with text and directions)

Message “Is there a living God in Israel? ” (mp3)

*Hymn “God of grace and God of glory” 366

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

1 - Rise in body or spirit and be called into worship with a psalm,

2 - words written by David, according to tradition. Listen…

(pause)

1 - The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a place of safety in times of trouble.

2 - Those who know you, Lord, will trust you; you do not abandon anyone who comes to you.

1 - Sing praise to the Lord, who rules in Zion! Tell every nation what he has done!

2 - God remembers those who suffer; he does not forget their cry, and he punishes those who wrong them.

1 - Be merciful to me, O Lord! See the sufferings my enemies cause me!

2 - Rescue me from death, O Lord, that I may stand before the people of Jerusalem and tell them all the things for which I praise you.

1 - I will rejoice

2 - because you saved me.

(pause)

1 - Let us sing to our God, who is to us “a mighty fortress,”

2 - a “bulwark,” a protecting wall which will not fall. #165 in our hymnal.

Opening Prayer

Center us, O God,
      to worship you this day.
   Remove our needless armor.
         Be our stronghold.
      Grant us calm.
            Give us joyful hearts and ready minds,
         that we may be open to your grace. Amen.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

“Open up your hearts. Live generously and expansively!” (2 Corinthians 6:13, Laughing Bird version). Those are good words to guide us on this Father’s Day… During worship on the previous two Sundays (6/7 and 6/14), we introduced our summer-long “Read to Feed” program - a fun, intergenerational way to raise funds to feed hungry people around the world through Heifer International. Instead of repeating ourselves this week for those of you who weren’t here, just ask someone who was here to tell you about it. The materials are on the back table.

As the ushers collect our offering, we’ll sing a song about Dan West, who started Heifer Project over seventy years ago. Our children’s choir sang it at least once, so I know some of us know it. Anyone who would like to help me lead us in singing it, please come forward, bringing with the words to the song, printed in your bulletin. Hand your offering to someone else to put in the plate.

Jan West Shrock was one of Dan’s own children. She once wrote:

“Growing up, I often heard my father speak his values. He said, “If a person has more than three pairs of shoes in their closet, someone is doing without.” These days we have running shoes, golf shoes, cross-training shoes, winter shoes, sandals, comfort sandals, dress sandals, ergonomically proportioned support shoes for high arches. Whoa! What's happened? What's gone wrong? What do I want? What do I need?”

On this day of celebrating the role of fathers, it’s good to hear about a father’s values being passed on, influencing yet another generation. By the way, Jan West Shrock went on to become a teacher, to direct Brethren Volunteer Service, to direct the AmeriCorps program with the National Council of Churches, and to serve as director of the Church and Community Relations program for Heifer International. She even wrote a book for children, entitled “Give a Goat.” Her father would be proud.

Let’s sing together this Andy Murray song about this father while the ushers pass the plates.

“Cowboy Dan” (lyrics)

Pastoral Prayer

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

Benediction

start by tapping a heartbeat on your chest,
remaining constant through & beyond all the following words.
End with heartbeat.)

May the Lord of grace and glory
    pour wisdom and courage upon you
        for the facing of this hour,
            and the living of this day,
        for standing up to giants,
            and living Jesus’ way.

May the Lord of peace and justice
    empower you this week
        to turn from warring madness
            and fears that bind your soul,
        to serving God with gladness,
            with a heart that’s ever whole.