We will begin worship by praising God for the 95 years of life of Garnet Curee. Let’s sing Happy Birthday on this day of her birth!
And now a minute of “As the Deer” on the MWPC organ by Kim Heindel HERE
In today’s worship we have leadership from Bill, Laura, Marilyn, Merle, Sheri, Steve and all those worshiping, including: Garnet, Bev, Bob, Betty, Janet, Lisa, Betsy …
Who have I not included in that list of people who is also attending?
LAURA reads Psalm 67
67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
67:2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
67:3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
67:5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
67:6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
67:7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
BILL – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
Let Us Break Bread Together
Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
MERLE reads Matthew 15: 10-20
15:10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:
15:11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”
15:12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?”
15:13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”
15:15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”
15:16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding?
15:17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?
15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.
15:19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.
15:20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
SHERI – shares a Prayer of Confession
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS (Joseph Scriven)
What a friend we have in Je – sus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations Is there trouble anywhere
We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-la – den; Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our re – fuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in Prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
MARILYN reads – Matthew 15: 21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
SONG – I Love to Tell the Story by Kate Hankey and Wm G Fischer
I love to tell the story of unseen things above
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true
It satisfies my longings, as nothing else can do
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy word
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story; for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest
When, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love
SHERI LEADS: Any reflections we have based on these scripture readings?
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- COVID-19 concerns abound – Impact around the world;
- Wisdom/Considerations for restarting the school year – prayers of strength, support & wisdom for administrators, teachers, students, parents, grandparents, child care providers and more!