ORDER OF WORSHIP
July 16, 2023 10:30 AM
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “Fairest Lord Jesus” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 65)
Leader: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
PEOPLE: By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
Leader: You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
PEOPLE: Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
Leader: You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
PEOPLE: You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
Leader: The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
PEOPLE: the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.
INVOCATION
Most Holy Father, your gracious gift in Christ moves us to gather in worship. Stir our hearts once again with your Spirit, that we may find renewed energy to sing your praises and do your work, for our own spirits and those of others. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “There is a Balm in Gilead” Red #611
CALL TO CONFESSION
We sometimes see our God as a distant figure, other times as a close friend. Know that our Lord can be everything to everyone as we look for understanding and we come together in Prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty and all-merciful God, we confess to you our tendency to hold our image of you as an intimate friend, and to forget your role as sovereign of the universe. Forgive us we pray and fill us with an appropriate sense of awe and wonder at your power and creative majesty. As we draw nearer to you in understanding, let us worship and know you for who you are, not for what we may want you to be. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Living with us in flesh, Jesus abolished the barriers between heaven and earth, even as we dwell with Christ in the grace of eternal forgiveness. By this we are forgiven.
**HYMN OF PRAISE: “How Great Thou Art” Red #21
PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH, NICENE CREED (Abridged)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Spoken through the Prophets, worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the eternal life to come. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 55: 10-13 Rob Ferguson
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
SERMON MESSAGE Oh, Those Pesky Parables! John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Creator of us all and all that is, we come before you today in quiet admiration of all you have done for us and created, but still, we see injustice, pain, and sorrow all around us. Help us to aid those in need, comfort those in grief, to shine as examples of your Love for all to see. Please send your healing touch on those in grief and those close to us whom we name here:
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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 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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “Amazing Grace” Red # 502
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN: “May the Grace of Christ our Savior” Red #841
BENEDICTION
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and may the blessing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you in this day and in all those days to come. Amen
POSTLUDE “He Hideth my Soul”
Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955