August 6 – Face to Face

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Voluntary – Stanley

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Jan Wirtz
One: It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
All: That’s how it is with God’s love.
One: Once you’ve experienced it,
All: It’s fresh like spring.
One: You want to sing!
All: You want to pass it on!

*HYMN – The Old Rugged Cross – #247

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Jan Wirtz
God of Many Names; you command us to come to you. Regrettably, there are times when we are doubtful of our ability to make this journey. At times, we are unsteady and our steps are uncertain. We long to have the faith in ourselves that you have in us, O Holy One. We give you thanks for blessing us with the faith to rise to each occasion when you invite us to serve you by joyfully giving away your love. Guide us as we continue seeking to live as your children; walking in your ways. We praise you for your eternal presence, Faithful God, accompanying us as we journey ahead into your future. We pray in your name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Great Is the Lord – #7
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just;
By His power we trust In His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true;
By His mercy He proves He is love.

Great is the Lord And worthy of glory!
Great is the Lord And worthy of praise.
Great is the Lord;
Now lift up your voice, Now lift up your voice:
Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord!

Great is the Lord, He is holy and just;
By His power we trust In His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true;
By His mercy He proves He is love.

Great are you Lord And worthy of glory!
Great are you Lord, And worthy of praise.
Great are you Lord:
I lift up my voice, I lift up my voice:
Great are you Lord! Great are you Lord!

GOD’S WORD – Genesis 32:22-31 – Jan Wirtz

SPECIAL MUSIC – Eucharistic Suite – Tate

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 55:1-9 & Matthew 14:13-21 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Here, O My Lord, I See Thee – #259

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand th’eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;
Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heav’n;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load;
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv’n.

I have no help but Thine; nor do I need
Another arm save Thine to lean upon;
It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.

Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness;
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
They blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
As the United Church of Christ, we celebrate Christ’s Extravagant Welcome through “open” Communion.
All who desire to receive are welcome to receive the bread and the cup.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Pass It On – #503

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it;
You spread His love to everyone; You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding,
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it;
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring, You want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found,
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re bound.
I’ll shout it from the mountain top – I want my world to know;
The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Right Now – Skillings/Bock

July 25 Livestream – God’s Abundant Presence!

With God, anything is possible! Join us and hear how God’s abundant presence can have meaning in your life.

This week’s order for worship:

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!
All: O sing a new song; for God has done marvelous things!
One: Sing God’s praises!
All: We rejoice! Christ is our Guide and our Savior!
One: Let’s praise God with our words, our actions, our whole lives.
All: Let’s start by singing together!

*HYMN – Great Is Thy Faithfulness – #17

  1. Great is Thy faith-ful-ness, O God my Fa-ther,
    There is no shad-ow of turn-ing with Thee;
    Thou chang-est not, Thy com-pas-sions they fail not;
    As Thou hast been Thou for-ev-er wilt be.

Refrain
Great is Thy faith-ful-ness!
Great is Thy faith-ful-ness!
Morn-ing by morn-ing new mer-cies I see;
All I have need-ed Thy hand hath pro-vid-ed
Great is Thy faith-ful-ness, Lord, un-to me!

  1. Sum-mer and win-ter, and springtime and har-vest,
    Sun, moon and stars in their cours-es a-bove
    Join with all na-ture in man-i-fold wit-ness
    To Thy great faith-ful-ness, mer-cy and love.

Refrain

  1. Par-don for sin and a peace that en-dur-eth,
    Thy own dear pres-ence to cheer and to guide;
    Strength for to-day and bright hope for to-mor-row,
    Bless-ings all mine, with ten thou-sand be-side!

Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
God, you are the Creator of the whole universe. In astonishing fashion, you carefully watch over everything that you make. We value all that we learn from you. May we continue growing to trust you more. Through your life, Christ Jesus; we see that you share your love with everyone. Each person is precious to you. May we respond by following your path – the way of self-giving love. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Give Thanks – worship booklet, p.42

Give thanks with a grate-ful heart,
Give thanks to the Ho-ly One,
Give thanks be-cause He’s giv-en Je-sus Christ His Son
Give thanks with a grate-ful heart,
Give thanks to the Ho-ly One,
Give thanks be-cause He’s giv-en Jesus Christ His Son
And now let the weak say “I am strong,”
Let the poor say “I am rich,”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say “I am strong,”
Let the poor say “I am rich,”
Be-cause of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks, give thanks.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody

HYMN – Be Not Afraid – worship booklet, pp. 30-31

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 145:10-18 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Everlasting – Colton Burton, Vocalist

GOD’S WORD – John 6:1-21 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ – worship booklet, p. 64

  1. Let us tal-ents and tongues em-ploy,
    Reach-ing out with a shout of joy:
    Bread is bro-ken, the win is poured,
    Christ is spo-ken and seen and heard.

Refrain:
Je-sus lives a-gain, earth can breathe a-gain,
Pass the Word a-round: loaves a-bound!
Je-sus lives a-gain, earth can breathe a-gain,
Pass the Word a-round: loaves a-bound!

  1. Christ is a-ble to make us one,
    At his ta-ble he set the tone,
    Teach-ing peo-ple to live to bless,
    Love in word and in deed ex-press.

Refrain

  1. Je-sus calls us in, sends us out
    Bear-ing fruit in a world of doubt,
    Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
    God (Im-man-u-el) ev-ery-where!

Refrain

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta