We held virtual worship on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 10am. You can watch a recording below, or via our facebook page by clicking here.
WELCOME
As we gather,
not in the sanctuary building we love,
but in our homes that we make into holy spaces by the power of God’s love,
let’s give God thanks—
for this new day,
for giving us breath,
for calling us to this time and space,
this time of crisis and opportunity,
the calling to justice and peace and healing.
As we worship now and as we work later,
we will offer our praise
and God will equip us to be Her people in the world.
OPENING TO GOD Daniel Benedict
God who sees the suffering of all people:
When the road is long,
When the way is hard,
When the cause is just,
Come by here.
Where hate is entrenched,
Where protest puts us at risk,
Where police are tempted to use deadly force,
Come by here.
When government is divided,
When security protects statues and sacrifices citizens,
When our song is shouted down,
Come by here.
Where policy is changing,
Where it isn’t,
Where martyrs die and mourners cry,
Come by here.
Pillar of Fire by night and Cloud of Smoke by day,
lead and guide us in resolute action
knowing we belong to each other
until all shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well. Amen.
(last 3 lines by Julian of Norwich)
EPISTLE Romans 8:24-28, 31-39 NRSV
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose . . .
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? The One who did not withhold the Son, but gave him up for all of us, will God not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
REFLECTION Nothing Can Separate Barb & Mitch
MUSIC Leaning on the Everlasting Arms music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Australian Catholic Social Justice Council
A Prayer for Living the Gospel
God of yesterday, today and tomorrow,
we call to mind your presence within us and around us.
Open our ears that we may hear your Word.
Open our hearts that we may understand your Word.
Open our mouths that we may speak your Word.
Inspire us with the gospel message,
that we may celebrate all that is life-giving,
restore hope where it has been lost,
and work to bring about change where it is needed.
May we live the gospel with courage, constancy, and love.
May we be open to the challenge of your call to true freedom.
May we be faithful to you in our daily choices and decisions.
May we make your love known through our words and actions.
May the Triune God reign in our hearts, now and forever.
Amen.
SHARING PRAYERS
LORD’S PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Spirit Song music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
