Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
August 23, 2015
Worship 10:00 am          Sunday School 11:10am

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)    “Wonderful grace of Jesus”    150
  Announcements
  Prelude                                “Prelude in F Major”                              Bach

*Call to Worship                       Psalm 107:23-32

*Hymn                        “God of the earth, the sky, the sea”                       53

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                                   James 1:17-25

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

  Song                                           “Pass it on”

  Pastoral Prayer

  A Story                               “Beatrice’s Goat”

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory Video       “Celebrating our Seagoing Cowboys”
                              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  A Seagoing Cowboy Veterinarian’s Story                            Harold Burton

  The Ongoing Story in Video      “What we do”

  Reading Together                    Matthew 5:1-16                                   834

  A few reflections and an invitation

  Hymn of Response   “Lord, whose love in humble service”                   369
                                (be free to bring forward your Heifer Arks)

*Benediction

*Postlude                                       “Postlude”                                    Rinck

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

             Our service this morning brings to a close our summer Read-to-Feed program. We are blessed to have with us Harold Burton, a retired veterinarian in the area who was among the original "seagoing cowboys" of Heifer International (along with our own Ellis Shenk). To learn more about the Seagoing Cowboys, visit two resources by Peggy Reiff Miller - her blog seagoingcowboysblog.wordpress.com and www.seagoingcowboys.com . Her book is due out next April from Brethren Press. At www.heiferfoundation.org, you can learn about and give toward the “Seagoing Cowboys Endowment” in honor of Ellis Shenk or Harold Burton, or any of the many others who served.

Opening Prayer

We may not be sailors, O Lord,
            but we share a common boat.
      The sea upon which we sail may be stormy or calm,
                  but through it all we look to you
                            - for you are Lord of all.
            Hear our gratitude, as well as our cries for help.
   Through our praise,
         enlarge our vision
               and guide us to see from your perspective.
   Through our prayers,
         open our hearts to others
               and instill in us your compassion.
   Through your Word,
         lead us into deeper waters
               and bring us to safe harbors.
   Through our songs,
         help us to let go of our self-centeredness
               and be found in you.
As we unfurl our sails of faith,
      may your Holy Spirit be
            the wind that propels us forward.
This we pray in the name of the One
      who traveled the sea of Gallilee,
            calming storms and calling disciples
                  to let down their nets. Amen

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Jesus told a story about the importance of taking care of those down on their luck. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory,” he said, “all the nations will be gathered before him” and separated between sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-32). In his parable, the “sheep” folks were those who cared, and the “goat” folk were those who didn’t…

From the story of Beatrice’s Goat, we have seen a different side of this animal, how – like other gifts provided through Heifer International – they can bring a blessing to a family and a surrounding community. It’s all in the giving or, as Jesus put it, “just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40)

            As you return your offering right now, I invite you to pay attention to another story about the beginnings of this Heifer Project, and those who helped these animals get from farms here to distant people in need across the ocean.

Ushers, please guide our giving.

A Seagoing Cowboy Veterinarian’s Story

             We are blessed this morning to have, not one, but two of those seagoing cowboys with us. There is, of course, our own Ellis Shenk. Some of you may remember Peggy Reiff Miller, whose husband Rex was the administrator of Shepherd’s Spring many years ago. She has been compiling the stories of these Heifer “cowboys,” to be included in a book she is writing for Brethren Press, due to be published next April. In an email to me this week, Peggy mentioned how much she has appreciated Ellis’ help. “He is very faithful at sending me cowboy obits when he sees them,” she writes. “So glad you're keeping this history alive in your congregation.”

             As for our guest, Harold Burton, he is a long-time veterinarian in our area, and is an ardent supporter of Heifer International, with a bit of their story to share. Let me allow Peggy to give a word of welcome to this new friend through us. She writes:

“brother” Harold. I/we look forward to what you have to share.

Reading Together

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Hymnal #834, Matthew 5:1-16 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

May this week be filled with God’s expected surprise.

Lord bless you.
Lord keep you.
Lord shine upon you.
Lord give you grace
and peace.
Amen