Homecrest Presbyterian Church Worship of the Lord’s Day August 6th, 2017 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gathering Around the WORD Call To Worship (Based on Psalm 119:132-133) Blessed be God whose word gives hope and shapes our dreams, whose love has conquered death. Blessed be God who orders our way and guides our steps, who leads us into new life. Let us come and worship God!

Gathering Around the WORD Gathering Hymn #396 “Brethren [and Sisters], We Have Met to Worship” Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God. Will you pray with all your power while we try to preach the word? All is vain unless the Spirit of the holy One comes down. Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Gathering Around the WORD Gathering Hymn #396 “Brethren [and Sisters], We Have Met to Worship” Sisters, will you come and help us? Moses’ sister aided him. Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin? Tell them all about the Savior. Tell them that he will be found. Sisters, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Gathering Around the WORD Gathering Hymn #396 “Brethren [and Sisters], We Have Met to Worship” Is there here a trembling jailer, seeking grace and filled with fears? Is there here a weeping Mary pouring forth a flood of tears? Brethren, join your cries to help them; sisters, let your prayers abound! Pray, O pray, that holy manna will be scattered all around.

Gathering Around the WORD Gathering Hymn #396 “Brethren [and Sisters], We Have Met to Worship” Let us love our God supremely; let us love each other, too. Let us love and pray for sinners till our God makes all things new. Christ will call us home to heaven; at his table we’ll sit down. Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.

Gathering Around the WORD Call to Confession Scripture reminds us that if anyone is in Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. Friends, our God is in the business of creating and he continues to re-create, re-shape, and re-form us into someone whom we are called and meant to be. Let us humble ourselves, confessing our own sinfulness, and approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, humility and faith.  

Gathering Around the WORD Prayer of Confession (in Unison) (Psalm 17:6-7 and 15) We call upon you, O God, for you will answer us. Incline your ear to us, hear our words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. As for us, we shall behold your face in righteousness; when we awake we shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. Amen.

Gathering Around the WORD Declaration of Forgiveness (Based on Lamentations 3:22-23) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Friends, this is the Good News that in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven sinners. We are given a new life in Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Gathering Around the WORD Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

Gathering Around the WORD Passing of the Peace of Christ

Proclaiming the WORD Message to the Youth/ Prayer of Illumination

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Genesis 32:22-31) 22The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Genesis 32:22-31) 27So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Matthew 14:13-21) 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Matthew 14:13-21) 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Matthew 14:13-21) 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Proclaiming the WORD (Genesis 32:22-31 and Matthew 14:13-21) YOU Give Them Something to Eat

Responding Hymn # 498 “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken” Loaves were broken, words were spoken by the Galilean shore. Jesus, Bread of Life from heaven, was their food forevermore. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life outpoured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

Responding Hymn # 498 “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken” Loaves were broken, words were spoken in a quiet room one night. In the bread and wine you gave them, Christ, you came as Light from Light. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life outpoured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

Responding Hymn # 498 “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken” Loaves are broken, words are spoken, as in faith we gather here. Jesus speaks across the ages: “I am with you; do not fear!” By your body broken for us, by your wine of life outpoured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

Responding Hymn # 498 “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken” By the loaves you break and give us, send us in your name to share bread for which the millions hunger, words that tell your love and care. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life outpoured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith (Excerpt from Confession of Belhar) We believe in the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end. We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another.

Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith (Excerpt from Confession of Belhar) We believe that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the church of Jesus Christ. We believe that through the working of God’s Spirit, it is a binding force, yet simultaneously a reality. Which must be earnestly pursued and sought: one which the people of God must continually be built up to attain. We believe that the church must together come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ.

Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith (Excerpt from Confession of Belhar) We believe that together we are built up to the statue of Christ, the new humanity. We believe that we must together know and bear one another’s burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ. We believe that we are called to admonish, and comfort one another; To suffer with one another for the sake of righteousness; to pray together; and together serve God in this world.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Announcements & Sharing of Joys and Concerns The afternoon Bible Study Group and the Women’s Group will be taking the months of July and August off. It will resume in September.   

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Prayer of the People & The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven. Halloweth be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts; as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Offering of our Gifts and our Lives Musical Offering

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Doxology and Offertory Prayer

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Hymn # 460 “Break Thou The Bread of Life” Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, as thou didst break the loaves beside the sea. Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord. My spirit pants for thee, O living Word!

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Hymn # 460 “Break Thou The Bread of Life” Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, now unto me, as thou didst bless the bread by Galilee. Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall. And I shall find my peace, my all in all.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Sisters and brothers, welcome to the joyful feast of the LORD for the people of God! Many will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and sit at the table in the Kingdom of God. This is the Lord’s Table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that He has prepared.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Not only do we come as one of the five thousands, but we come as the little boy who was willing to give up what he had and share that with others. We confess that at times we are reluctant to share what we have with those who are in need. We devour God’s abundance and leave scraps for others.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion We come as the ones who are willing to surrender our security and comfort and partner with Christ in His ministry.   We praise you, O God. For you have inspired us to speak the truth and be honest with ourselves. We dare to come before you just as we are. Search our hearts and cleanse us from within, as we proclaim:  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Loving God, in gratitude we remember that on the night before his arrest, Jesus took bread and after giving thanks to you broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: “Take, eat, This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion In the same way after supper Jesus took the cup and after giving thanks, gave it to them and said: “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” In gratitude for what Christ has done for us, we proclaim our hope and our joy.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion With thanks and praise we offer ourselves to you, O God. Sharing this holy meal, remembering Christ’s dying and rising, and praying: Come Lord Jesus! Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim His death and resurrection until He comes again.  Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. They who come to me shall never hunger; they who believe in me shall never thirst." These are the gift of God for the people of God.  

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Holy Communion

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World : Prayer after the Communion: (in unison) : God of glory, you nourish us with bread from heaven. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that through us your light may shine into all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Deacons’ Benevolence Offering

Sending Hymn # 733 “We All Are One In Mission” We all are one in mission; we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all. A single, great commission compels us from above to plan and work together that all may know Christ’s love.

Sending Hymn # 733 “We All Are One In Mission” We all are called for service to witness in God’s name. Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same: to touch the lives of others by God’s surprising grace, so every folk and nation may feel God’s warm embrace.

Sending Hymn # 733 “We All Are One In Mission” Now let us be united and let our song be heard. Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming word. We all are one in mission; we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World The Charge and Benediction

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Benediction Response # 541 “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” (Stanza 2) God be with you till we meet again; unseen wings protecting hide you, daily manna still provide you: God be with you till we meet again.

Homecrest Presbyterian Church Worship of the Lord’s Day August 6th, 2017 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time