Perhaps a moment of organ music as we begin?
In today’s worship we have leadership from Laura, Marilyn, Merle, Sheri Steve and all those worshiping today, including: Garnet, Bev, Bob, Betty, Janet, Lisa …
Who have I not included in that list of people who is also attending?
LAURA reads Isaiah 55:1-5
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
LAURA – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens, each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The purple-headed mountains, The river running by,
The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
MERLE READS Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
SHERI – shares a Prayer of Confession
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come
Tis grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life en – dures
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first be – gun
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see
MARILYN reads – Matthew 14:13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”
And he said, “Bring them here to me.”
Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.
And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, This is the prom-ise of love,
There shall be sea-sons re-fresh-ing, Sent from the Sav-ior a-bove,
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Pre-cious re-viv-ing a-gain,
O-ver the hills and the val-leys, Sound of a-bun-dance of rain.
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Send them up-on us, O Lord,
Grant to us now a re-fresh-ing, Come, and now hon-or thy Word.
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
There shall be show-ers of bless-ing, Oh, that to-day they might fall,
Now as to God we’re con-fess-ing, Now as on Je-sus we call!
Show-ers of bless-ing, Show-ers of Bless-ing we need,
Mer-cy drops round us are fall-ing, But for the show-ers we plead.
SHERI LEADS: Any reflections we have based on these scripture readings?
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- Trio of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality);
- Wisdom/Considerations for restarting the school year;
Prayer – concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
REPEAT
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.