UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Rev. Steve Heath, Pastor July 13, 2014 HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES AVAILABLE- Please see a greeter or the sound technician. ~ Also, please take a moment to turn cellphones to ‘silent.’ ~ PARISH CONCERNS – ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” Negro Spiritual Pianist/Vocalist – Yvonne Harris LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES AND RINGING OF THE BELLS CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: Come, let us worship the Lord our God, People: For the Lord is our God, and we are the Lords people. Pastor: As we wait upon the Lord, let us open our ears, People: That we might both hear and heed the word of the Lord. Pastor: As we wait upon the Lord, let us open our eyes, People: That we might both see and perceive the will of the Lord. Pastor: As we wait upon the Lord, let us open our hearts. People: That we might understand with our hearts and turn to the Lord for healing. *HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” CALL TO CONFESSION Pastor: The Scriptures are shot through with stories of people just like us: men who grieved, women who questioned, siblings who did not get along, parents who chose favorites. God’s word of grace is meant for people just like us. There is no need for pretense in this place. Let us go to God in prayer. PRAYER OF CONFESSION All: Patient and persistent God, we come, polished and presentable, to this comfortable room as if we knew what to expect, as if this were a safe and predictable place, as if we could simply observe. Holy One, forgive our tepid expectations. In the mystery of your love, overshadow us. Plant the seeds of your gospel in each of our hearts until we bloom and spill over with your passion to serve in a world that is wasting. Amen. DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Pastor: Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The Spirit of God dwells in you. If you hear nothing else today, hear these words: “There is no condemnation.” In the name of Jesus, you are forgiven. People: In the name of Jesus, you are forgiven. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. Steve Heath *PRAYER HYMN “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS / TIME OF PRAYER 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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. PRAYER RESPONSE Hear our prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord; Incline Thine ear to us and grant us Thy peace. Amen. OFFERING INVITATION Pastor: Let us offer the fruit of our labor to God and make good on our vows to the Most High. OFFERTORY “What Shall I Render” by- Margaret Pleasant Douroux OFFERING OF GIFTS *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise God all creatures here below Praise God above ye Heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION All: You call us to sow your word in all times and places, even when the ground is hard and shallow. For faith is a gift that comes from you, and fruitful discipleship is the work of your Spirit in us. May the gifts we offer this day spread the good news of life abundant in the Christ in whose name we pray. Amen. SPECIAL MUSIC “I Told Jesus” -Traditional Pianist/Vocalist: Yvonne Harris SCRIPTURE Genesis 25:19-34 These are the descendants of Isaac, Abrahams son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, If it is to be this way, why do I live? So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger. When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterwards his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esaus heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished! (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, First sell me your birthright. Esau said, I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me? Jacob said, Swear to me first. So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. SERMON “The Elder Shall Serve the Younger” Rev. Steve Heath *HYMN “We Limit Not the Truth of God” *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE (Hold the hand of someone near you as we sing together) Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, children all are we, Let me walk with my neighbor in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally! Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. POSTLUDE “Take the Name of Jesus With You” by- William H. Doane *Please stand as you are able EXTINGUISHING OF THE CANDLES AND RINGING OF THE BELLS The Reverend Steve Heath Yvonne Harris, Music Director Allyson Simpson, Acolyte FLOWERS: The flowers on the Communion Table have been donated by Phyllis and Rev. Steve in memory of their daughter, Amanda.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:08:01 +0000
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