Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Announcements & Call to Worship
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Our call to worship is from Micah 6:8.
God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Let’s pray: It is good to be together, God, on these screens, with these people, together listening for your voice, united by your Spirit. In this time of worship
tell us about your kingdom of kindness so that we can seek it. Show us your justice.
We want to walk with you, humbly, closely, daily.
Opening Song
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
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Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea; daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak but thou art strong: Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee.
Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea; daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee.
Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea; daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er, time for me will be no more; guide me gently, safely o’er to thy kingdom shore, to thy shore.
Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea; daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Prayer of the Day
O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your children from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Reading
Romans 10:5-15
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5Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Matthew 14:22-33
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22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Hymn of the Day
It Is Well With My Soul
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When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrow like sea billows roll Whatever my lot You have taught me to say It is well it is well with my soul
But Lord it’s for Thee for Thy coming we wait The sky not the grave is our goal Oh trump of the angel oh voice of the Lord Blessed hope blessed rest of my soul
It is well with my soul It is well it is well with my soul
You are the Rock on which I stand By Your grace it is well My hope is sure in Christ my Saviour It is well with my soul
Apostles’ Creed
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, we pray for the church, our nation, and for all who are in need.
For your church throughout the world, we pray: Strengthen the faith of all who believe. Speak to us through your word of power and mercy. Abide with those Christians who are isolated from others. Lord hear our prayer.
For the well-being of your creation, we pray. Protect waterways, forests, lands, and wildlife from exploitation and abuse. Tame the storms that threaten human habitations. Maintain the health of pets. Lord hear our prayer.
For the leaders of nations, we pray. Inspire those who govern to keep peace with their neighbors and to maintain justice for their citizens. Lord hear our prayer.
For those in need we pray. For those who are unemployed, or homeless, or hungry, or hospitalized; for those whose money has run out; for those who are fearful of the future; for those who are recovering from recent storms; and for victims of the deadly blast in Beirut, Lebanon. Lord hear our prayer.
For the world facing the coronavirus we pray. Sustain medical workers for their arduous tasks. Assist our Congress and governors in legislating wisely during the pandemic. Give wisdom to educators as they plan the fall semester. Give us kindness with one another and patience for ourselves. Lord hear our prayer.
For the end to racial injustice we pray. Frustrate all prejudices between peoples that are based on ethnic origin or skin color. Unite into one body politic all who share this land. Lord hear our prayer.
For ourselves, we pray. Reach out your hand to us; save us when we are sinking; and receive now the petitions of our hearts. Lord hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all who have died in the faith, for martyrs, for leaders in the struggle for civil rights, for victims of COVID-19, for those who died in Beirut, for those dear to us. Bring us at the end with all your saints into your everlasting life. Lord hear our prayer.
In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Franciscan Sending
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Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen.
Sending Song
Lead Me, Guide Me
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Lead me, guide me, along the way; for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
I am weak and I need thy strength and pow’r to help me over my weakest hour. Help me through the darkness thy face to see. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me, along the way; for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness, to be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me, along the way; for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
I am lost if you take your hand from me, I am blind without they light to see. Lord, just always let me thy servant be. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me, along the way; for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Blessing
Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori, Ian
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: JoAnne, Laura, Ian, Abby, Sam, Hadley & Sullivan
Children’s Moment: Maddy Jo
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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. Hymns reprinted with permission. CCLI#116214