ORDER OF WORSHIP - JULY 6th, 2025

John T. Redman, CRE
Jul 2
4 min read

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

COMMUNION SUNDAY

**Kindly stand if you are able

PRELUDE “Battle Hymn of the Republic” Mary Lee Farris, Organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 66)

Leader: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;

PEOPLE: sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.

Leader: Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your

enemies cringe before you.

PEOPLE: All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name”

Leader: Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.

PEOPLE: He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him,

Leader: who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations-- let the rebellious not exalt themselves.

PEOPLE: Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.

INVOCATION

God of all Creation, who shapes the mountains and sets the course of streams, we are once again in awe of your power and majesty, in our wonder of the world, the beauty of the season, and the love and grace you show us every day, if we should only seek it out. Amen.

**OPENING HYMN “We Are Called to be God’s People” Red #710

CALL TO CONFESSION

Gracious God, as through Jesus you cured the sick and raised the dead, instill in us a measure of your divine compassion to treat human sufferings not just with a promise of future bliss, but through faith help to deliver health and life in the present. Let us pray together.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Heavenly Creator, help us begin to see the tiniest fraction of your power and your greatness in this universe of your creation. Let us struggle to understand the infinite love and grace you deliver to each of us, your Children. Fill us with the compassion of Jesus, who turned faith against the powers of darkness, disease, and death, and brings us relief that can be felt in the here and now, as in his name, we pray, Amen.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Our Lord is both merciful and generous. Our Lord is eternally forgiving us. As we seek a greater understanding, we are both blessed and forgiven.

**GLORIA PATRI Traditional Red #805

**HYMN OF PRAISE “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” Red #73

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 66:10-14 Cathy McCarty

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Galatians 6: 7-16

GOSPEL READING: Luke 10: 1-7, 16-20

SERMON MESSAGE “Not Burdens, but Gifts” John Redman, CRE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

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:

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.

HOLY COMMUNION

COMMUNION HYMN: “For the Bread Which You Have Broken” Red #772

Invitation to the Table

Great Prayer of Thanks

Words of Institution

Prayer of Conclusion

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 1562)

I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything within, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because he is almighty God; He desires to do this because he is a faithful Father. Amen.

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS:

The reconciliation of humankind through Jesus Christ makes it plain that enslaving poverty in a world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God’s good creation. Because Jesus identified with the needy and exploited, the cause of the world’s poor is the cause of his disciples. We are called to use our abilities, our possessions, and the fruits of technology as gifts entrusted to us for the maintenance of God’s family and the advancement of the common welfare.

OFFERTORY “Like a River Glorious” Red #594

**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #808

** PRAYER OF THANKS

We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

HYMN OF PARTING “The Bond of Love” Red #696

RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION

Leader: God sends us into the world,

People: so we may see Jesus at work in all the desolate places.

Leader: As one with compassion, Jesus calls,

People: so we may follow him to those who live on the fringe of life.

Leader: The Spirit opens our ears and our hearts,

People: so we may hear the cries looking for hope.

ALL: AMEN!

POSTLUDE “America, The Beautiful” Mary Lee Farris, Piano

Blessings!

John Redman, CRE