Sunday, July 19, 2020
7th Sunday after Pentecost
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The Congregation at Worship
Centering Scripture: Genesis 28: 10-19a
Scripture is available by clicking here
MINISTRY OF LIGHT
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The Word of God gave the universe birth!
People: The Breath of God delivered the world!
Leader: Our God is first; our God is last!
People: No other god declares the word of creation!
Leader: Yet this same God invites us saying, “Don’t be afraid!”
All: Worship the One who banishes fear, who comforts the trembling and quickens the faint!
Worship the One whose creation is renewed and whose creatures are never forsaken!
* HYMN OF PRAISE “O For a Heart to Praise My God” No. 417
Music is available by clicking here
SCRIPTURE READING Romans 8: 12-25
Scripture is available by clicking here
MORNING PRAYER
Spirit of God, your fields have been planted. Rich soil has yielded crops that reach from horizon to horizon, filling the air with a sweet scent. Seed has been sewn and tended. The sprouting weeds will not choke the good plants; they will be crowded out by the ripening grain. O Tender of the Earth, our hearts are your fields. We see your approach in sun and rain as you nourish the seed you have scattered. May your harvest be great.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
PSALM 139: 1-12, 23-24
Leader: O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
People: You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
Leader: You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
People: Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Leader: You pursue me behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
People: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
Leader: Whither shall I go from your spirit?
People: Or whither shall I flee from your presence?
Leader: If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
People: If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
Leader: If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night”
People: Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with you.
Leader: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try and know my thoughts;
People: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
Jacob was a Hebrew, grandson of Abraham. Jacob’s grandpa was the first who heard God promise, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” The scripture at the top of our page tells of Joseph hearing those same words. Know that God has told you the same thing. Our loving God is always with you. Maybe you’ll feel God’s presence in beautiful sunshine or how much your family loves you or some things your parents or grandparents have said to you. Can you think of other ways to tell that God is with you? Jacob dreamt of climbing a ladder to heaven. Maybe you will have a dream of faith in God who loves you.
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS may be mailed to the church with thanks to you and our Lord. As you do so, pray, “Bless Thou the gifts our hands have brought. Bless thou the work our hearts have planned. Ours is the faith, the will, the thought; the rest, O God, is in thy hand.”
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
Scripture is available by clicking here
SERMON Rev. David Harper
Message from Rev Harper is available by clicking here
CLOSING HYMN “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” No. 418
Music is available by clicking here
BENEDICTION
You have belief; may God help you to believe more firmly.
Amen to that!
You have love; may Christ help you to love more fully.
Amen to that!
You have joy; may the Spirit help you to laugh more profoundly.
Amen to that!
As precious children of God, go in peace to cheerfully love and serve.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!