Order for Service of the Word and the Table
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 6, 2020
PRELUDE
WELCOME and GREETING
INTROIT
CALL TO WORSHIP –
One: A father and his son are in a terrible car accident. The father is killed instantly, and the son, who is critically injured, is rushed to the nearest hospital. The doctor rushes into ER stops suddenly and exclaims,…
All: “I can’t operate on this boy!”
One: “Why Not” the nurse asks.
All: “Because he’s my son.”
One: You may not have assumed that the doctor was male, even so, we can’t function a single day without making countless assumptions.
All: But when our assumptions aren’t accurate, are superficial, or worse yet, are self-serving, great harm can, and does result, and the community is weakened, regardless of whether those assumptions were intentional or not.
HYMN #883 – Isaiah 40 (Comfort, Comfort Now My People) (vv. 1 & 3)
Comfort, comfort now my people;
speak of peace; so says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
mourning under sorrow’s load.
Cry out to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell them that their sins I cover
and their warfare now is over.
Then make straight what long was crooked;
make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits a holy reign.
For the glory of our God
now on earth is shed abroad.
and all flesh shall see the token
that God’s word is never broken. +READINGS OF THE DAY
First Reading –Matthew 15: 21 – 28 (NRSV)
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Second Reading – from Dr. Megan Frost Babb, a physician with Mercy Medical Group
MESSAGE Our Assumptions about “Them”
The Reverend Joe Mitchell
HYMN #508 – Just as I Am
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down,
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. +
JOYS AND CONCERNS/PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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 debts
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
WE CELEBRATE
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer
Holy, holy, holy God of love and justice
The whole universe and all that lies beyond it
Ev’ry galaxy and flow’r
Ev’ry singing bird and falling drop of rain is ablaze
With your glory, glory, glory, O God most wonderful
Blessed is the One who comes in your name!
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Words of Institution
Prayer of Consecration
Sharing the Bread and Cup
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – Unison
Risen Christ, as the Host of this heavenly banquet, we thank you for this rite of remembrance, celebration, and sustenance;
This simple ritual of a communal meal of bread and cup
reminds us of the profound teachings and example of Christ;
It invites us to celebrate our sacred relationships with you, our Self, and each of our Neighbors;
And to be sustained and encouraged by your Presence with us always wherever we go;
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL AND PASTORAL BENEDICTION Alleluia
POSTLUDEPlease join us for conversation and sharing during our Zoom Coffee Hour.
To Join Coffee Hour Zoom at 11:30 on Sundays, contact Shirley at rssenarighi@gmail.com
