Sunday, July 5, 2020
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
INDEPENDENCE DAY and CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
July 5, 2020
Centering Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Scripture is available by clicking here
MINISTRY OF LIGHT
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus says: “Come to me, all who are battling on under heavy load, and I will give you rest.”
Let any who are feeling at odds with life, come, and find reconciliation.
Let any who are sad, come, and find comfort for your aching hearts.
Let any who feel worn and weary, come, and find rest for your souls.
Let any who are afraid, come, and find faith and renewed courage.
Let any who feel ashamed, come, and find unadulterated forgiveness.
Let any who are feel unwanted, come, and find hospitality that is divine.
Let all who are feeling happy, come and have your happiness blessed.
Let all who wish to renew their vows, come and trust the Spirit of truth and joy.
Let all who love the Lord come, and let and let your lover overflow in praise.
* NATIONAL ANTHEM “The Star Spangled Banner”
sung by Ripley HS Marine Corps JROTC quintet
Anthem is available by clicking here
* HYMN OF PRAISE “America the Beautiful” No. 696
U.S. Navy Band
Hymn is available by clicking here
* EPISTLE LESSON Romans 7: 16-25a
Lesson is available by clicking here
PRAYER LITANY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
Leader: Almighty God, you rule all the peoples of the earth.
People: Inspire the minds of all women and men
to whom you have committed the responsibility of government and leadership.
Leader: Give to them the vision of truth and justice
People: That by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together.
Leader: Give to the people of our country zeal for justice and strength of forbearance
People: That we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will.
Leader: Forgive our shortcomings as a nation;
People: Purify our hearts to see and love the truth.
ALL: We pray all these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
In the Bible, Paul wrote that even when he wanted to do good, sometimes he did wrong. Jesus said sometimes grownups behave like naughty children, but then Jesus thanked God for showing babies His wisdom. WOW! What do you know about being really faithful to Jesus? Share with your family.
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS may be mailed to the church with thanks to you and our Lord. As you do so, pray, “All things come of thee of God, and of thine own have we given thee.”
* GOSPEL READING Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
Scripture is available by clicking here
SERMON Rev. David Harper
Message from Rev Harper is available by clicking here
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Eat This Bread” No. 628
Hymn is available by clicking here
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and set before us the way of life. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. At his baptism in the Jordan your Spirit descended upon him and declared him your beloved Son. With your Spirit upon him he turned away the temptations of sin. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and Spirit. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and with fire, as on the Day of Pentecost.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Click here for the Words of Institution
Pastor: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.
All: Amen.
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.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND SHARING OF THE CUP
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
The body of Christ, given for you. Amen.
The blood of Christ, given for you. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” No. 398
Hymn is available by clicking here
BENEDICTION
Sisters and brothers of Jesus,
I do not have a clue as to the personal hard decisions, heavy responsibilities, or heartaches that some of you might face once you leave this sanctuary of prayer. But one thing I do know, which is forever certain:
You will not have to face any trial on your own. Bidden or unbidden, recognized or unrecognized, God will be with there with you all the way. This I can promise you, and with this promise I bless you!
Amen!
The love of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, will be with you now and always.
Amen.