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 and Call to Worship
(Click video to play)
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
I Believe in Jesus
(Click video to play)
I believe in Jesus I believe He is the Son of God I believe He died and rose again I believe He paid for us all. And I believe that He’s here now Standing in our midst Here with the power to heal now And the grace to forgive.
And, I believe in You, Lord I believe You are the Son of God I believe You died and rose again I believe You paid for us all. And I believe that You’re here now Standing in our midst Here with the power to heal now And the grace to forgive.
Prayer of the Day
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Reading Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
(Click video to play)
1Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.
6And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant—7these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
Children’s Moment
(Click video to play)
Gospel
Matthew 15: 21-28
(Click video to play)
21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just 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.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Message
(Click video to play)
Hymn of the Day
A Simple Word of Grace
(Click video to play)
A Simple world of grace is all I need, flowing from a cross, a cross for me. A gentle word of love is all I need, flowing from a cross, a cross for me.
Jesus, You have given me all of Your grace so tenderly. I lift my hands and praise Your name. Jesus, You have given me all of Your love on Calvary. I lift my heart into Your hands.
A simple word of hope is all I need, flowing from your love, Your love for me. A gentle word of peace is all I need, flowing from Your love, Your love for me.
Jesus, You have given me all of Your grace so tenderly. I lift my hands and praise Your name. Jesus, You have given me all of Your love on Calvary. I lift my heart into Your hands.
Teach me, Lord, to share Your simple grace, flowing from Your love, Your love for me. Teach me, Lord, to live as You have lived, gently flowing from Your love for me.
Jesus, You have given me all of Your grace so tenderly. I lift my hands and praise Your name. Jesus, You have given me all of Your love on Calvary. I lift my heart into Your hands.
Apostles’ Creed and prayers
(Click video to play)
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.
We pray for the Christian church around the world, for humility where the church is dominant, for courage where it is oppressed, and for faithfulness when it cannot assemble in person for worship: Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the nations of the earth, for the peaceful resolution of disputes around the world, for just policies that care for the poor, and for the upcoming political conventions in our land: Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all in need of healing, for the residents of Beirut and other distressed cities, for those suffering from hurricane damage, for those sick and dying of COVID-19, for the unemployed, for people without medical care, for medical workers and researchers, and for all in need. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for schools around the globe, for administrators, educators and support staff who must plan for the fall, for caregivers of students of all ages, and for those without the resources to access remote learning: Lord, hear our prayer.
We mourn the deaths of those we love, and we praise you for the lives of all your faithful people. At the end, gather us all into the joy of your presence. 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
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
(Click video to play)
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
Blessed Assurance
(Click video to play)
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long: this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long: this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long: this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
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, Kurt
Message: Pastor Jennifer Arnold
Readers: Laura, Ginny, Kelly
Children’s Moment: Nate
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