Sunday, July 30, 2017

Liturgies for August and September; Hope Churches, Tinton Falls and Lakewood, NJ.

The Service for the Lord’s Day

TF= Tinton Falls; LW= Lakewood

8/6 The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost 
8/13 The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
8/20 The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost  
8/27 The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost 
9/3 The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9/10 The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9/17 The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost 
9/24 The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

*=Guest preachers.
Music: PH/G2G
GATHERING

Gathering Music:
Welcome & Announcements 
Entrance Song: 

8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27
“Come Into God’s Presence” (verses 1 & 2) ——/413

9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24
“Here in This Place” (verse 1)         ——/401
Call to Worship 

The time is fulfilled!
The Kingdom of God has come near!
Repent, and believe the good news! Mark 1:15
Filling the Baptismal Font 

As many of you as were baptized into Christ 
have clothed yourselves with Christ. 
There is no longer Jew or Greek, 
there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female; 
for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27, 28

Remember your baptism, and be thankful!

*Hymn:

8/6 “Holy God, We praise Your Name”   460/4
8/13 “All Things Bright and Beautiful”            267/20
8/20 “God of the Sparrow”   272/22 
8/27 “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”    288/32
9/3 “Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show”    481/33
9/10 “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty"   482/35 
9/17 “O Worship the King”   476/41
9/24 “God Is Here!”           461/409

Prayer for Wholeness 

8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27
God of healing:
You sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.
He is our healer,
both within us and among us,
freeing us of all that constricts and kills. 
We are lost and unconscious of your love for us.
Open our minds to your saving presence.
We have manufactured a world of violence,
injustice, inequality, carelessness, and selfishness.
Open our hands to do your work of reconciliation.
We have poisoned and pushed out of balance
this wonderful creation you placed in our care.
Open our arms to welcome others in compassion.
We are even defiling our own bodies with noxious 
chemicals, and our minds with evil ideas and images.
Open our hearts to the knowledge of what is good and 
beneficial for us and for our communities.
Banish our fear of anything you created; 
grant us to love you, our neighbors, our enemies, and all.
Soothe our anger over hurts real or imagined; 
release us to trust in you and your will for us.
Overwhelm our shame by the extravagance of your grace to us; 
empower us to hope in you.

9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24
O God of healing and forgiveness:
we admit that we have nowhere else to turn but to you.
Save us, O God.
We are addicted to violence, 
but you come with peace and love,
gentleness and affection. 
We are addicted to greed and profit,
but you come with immense generosity,
placing the whole world in our care.
We are addicted to stealing and hoarding,
but you provide good things for the benefit of all.
We are addicted to wastefulness and destruction,
in spite of the balance and interdependence of your creation. 
We are addicted to retribution and revenge,
while Christ your Son witnesses to the power of forgiveness.
We are addicted to ego-centricity and tyranny,
but your Law would have us live together in humility
as equals before you.
Make us conscious of the havoc our blindness wreaks upon the earth.
Make us conscious that we are your people,
made to live for you. 
Banish our fear of anything you created; 
grant us to love you, our neighbors, our enemies, and all.
Soothe our anger over hurts real or imagined; 
release us to trust in you and your will for us.
Overwhelm our shame by the extravagance of your grace to us; 
empower us to hope in you.

Invocation of the Trinity

Gracious God:
By your Word and Spirit 
you create, redeem, and sustain the whole universe,
holding all things in being, 
bringing life out of death 
and light into darkness.
You carefully and wonderfully fashion us in your Image.
You embrace us and encircle us
in yourself as this timeless and universal dance 
of overflowing love and joy: 
The Holy Trinity.
And so we offer our own voices in praise and thanksgiving of you:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

*Gloria: 

8/6 “Glory Be to the Father” 579/581
8/13, 8/20, 8/27
TF “We Are One in the Spirit” (verse 4) 2223/300
LW  “Glory Be to the Father” 579/581
9/3 “Glory Be to the Father” 579/581
9/10, 9/17, 9/24
TF “We Are One in the Spirit” (verse 4) 2223/300
LW  “Glory Be to the Father” 579/581

TF *Procession of the Word

TF A child processes into the Sanctuary carrying a Bible, as the people sing or say the Gloria.
*The Peace

Christ is in the midst of us.
He is and ever shall be.
May the grace and peace of Christ our God be with all of you.
And also with you.

The people exchange words and signs of God’s peace.

*Response: “Halle-, Halle-, Halleluia” (refrain only) ——/591

Halle-, Halle-, Halleluia!
Halle-, Halle-, Halleluia!
Halle-, Halle-, Halleluia!
Halleluia!
Halleluia!

LW Time With Young Disciples

(Our young disciples continue worship and learning downstairs.)


THE WORD

Prayer for Understanding

Enlighten our hearts and minds by your Word, O God.
Open our eyes to the truth of your saving love, revealed in Scripture,
Move our legs to walk in your way of peace.
Open our hands to do your work,
and our arms to welcome others in your name.
For you are the enlightening of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, 
and to you we give glory, now and forever.  
Amen. 

Scripture Readings 

Hebrew Scriptures
8/6 Isaiah 55:1-5
8/13 1 Kings 19:9-18
8/20 Isaiah 56:1, 6-8  
8/27 Isaiah 51:1-6
9/3 Jeremiah 15:15-21
9/10 Ezekiel 33:7-11
9/17 Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
9/24 Jonah 3:10-4:11

Psalm

8/6 “Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Is Sure” Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 251/42
8/13
I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, 
    for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
    and to those who turn their hearts to him.
Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, 
    that his glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together; 
    righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring up from the earth, 
    and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, 
    and our land will yield its increase.
 Righteousness shall go before him, 
    and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. Psalm 85:8-13
8/20 “O God, Show Mercy To Us” Psalm 67      -—-/341
8/27 “With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring” Psalm 138        ——/334
9/3 “Lord, Speak to Me, for I Am Yours” Psalm 26:1-8 ——/723
9/10 “I Long for Your Commandments” Psalm 119:33-40 ——/64
9/17 “O, My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer” Psalm 103:1-13 223/439 
9/24 “O Lord, You Are My God and King” Psalm 145:1-8 252/270

New Testament
8/6 Matthew 14:13-21
8/13 Matthew 14:22-33
8/20 Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 
8/27 Matthew 16:13-20
9/3 Matthew 16:21-28
9/10 Matthew 18:15-20
9/17 Matthew 18:21-35
9/24 Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

*Affirmation of Faith

8/6 The Nicene Creed TF p. 15, “Ecumenical”; LW p. 34
8/13, 8/20, 8/27
The Apostles’ Creed TF p. 14, “Traditional”; LW p. 35.
9/3 The Nicene Creed TF p. 15, “Ecumenical”; LW p. 34
9/10, 9/17, 9/24
The Apostles’ Creed TF p. 14, “Traditional”; LW p. 35.

Prayers of God’s Creation and People

O Great Healer:
let your Spirit swing 
around us and through us,
over us, under us, and among us,
with healing in her wings,
making us whole
and restoring us to our created goodness.

O Deep Mystery:
Bless all of us here today, 
as we offer our worship and praise to you,
and for all those baptized into your Name of every time and place
who have sought to trust and follow you.

We pray for this holy Earth,
the beautiful garden you have placed in our care:
give us the wisdom and will to conserve it.

And as we gather we also represent our whole community, especially: 
those serving in government…
and all first responders…
travelers… 
workers… 
the aged and infirm…
the grieving and abandoned…
the sick and the addicted…
the poor and the oppressed…  
the unemployed and the destitute…
the prisoners and captives…
the undocumented, all migrants, and refugees…
indigenous peoples…
victims of war and violence… 
victims of natural disasters…
victims of domestic abuse…
victims of slavery and human trafficking…
and all who remember and care for the needy among us…. 

As you commanded, O Lord,
we pray for our enemies and those who wish us harm….

We pray for all who are persecuted for their faith….

We gather as well with all those who have died in the hope of resurrection,
and are now at rest….

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
In the communion of all the saints, 
we commend ourselves, one another, 
and our whole life to you, O Christ our God,
and to you we render glory,
now and forever.
Amen.


THANKSGIVING

Offering   

The Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof,
the world and all that dwell therein.            Psalm 24:1 

Offertory Music: “” 

The bread and wine for communion are carried to the Table as the congregation sings:

*Doxology:

8/6 “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” 592/606
8/13, 8/20, 8/27
TF  “Sheaves of Summer” (verse 1)         518/—-
LW “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” (592)/606
9/3 “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” 592/606
9/10, 9/17, 9/24
TF  “We Gather Together” (verse 1) 559/336
LW “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” (592)/606

When we do not celebrate the Sacrament we skip to the Prayer of Thanksgiving, below.

8/6, 9/3
Invitation to the Lord’s Table

This is the meal of paradise!
The foretaste of the blessings coming to us,
a sign of abundance and generosity,
forgiveness and deliverance. PfR 

This is the Lord’s table.
Our Savior invites those who trust in him
to share in the feast
which he has prepared.

Let us pray:
We give you thanks, O God,
lifting up our hearts to you in gratitude,
for your love and justice,
your beauty and joy,
revealed and given to us in Jesus Christ.
Give us the vision 
of the commonwealth of peace he establishes. 
Let his resurrection life permeate all we are and do,
as you gather us in holy community.

In Christ we see who we truly are in your eyes:
blessed, holy, good, and precious,
made to be a blessing to
your whole creation. PfR

Sanctus 

And so we join our voices 
with those of all your people
in every time and place,
in the angels’ song of praise to you:

Holy, holy, holy Lord
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he,
O blessed is he 
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna in the highest! “St. Anne Sanctus”

Eucharistic Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer TF p. 16, “Traditional”, LW p. 35

Gracious God of life,
in the beginning, 
by your Word and Spirit,
you created the universe 
and declared it very good.
You have fashioned a perfect space for life,
this holy and blessed Earth,
which you designed in balance and grace.
You placed us in this beloved garden, 
this beautiful and fruitful vineyard,
to care for it 
and to live in love with you and each other.
You provide for all our needs
and give us an over-abundance of good things to share. 

In the fullness of time 
you came among us in Jesus Christ.
He walked lightly on the Earth,
bringing good news to the poor,
proclaiming release to the captives,
giving sight to the blind,
liberating the oppressed,
making the lame walk,
welcoming the outcast,
forgiving sinners, 
and even raising the dead.

He gave himself up to the organized violence of fearful human authorities;
but, resurrected by the power of your infinite love,
his life now spreads over the whole world,
healing, purifying, and protecting, 
reconciling us to you, to each other, 
and even to our true purpose and destiny,
and gathering a holy people 
by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Send your Spirit, O God, upon your holy people,
called out from the world and gathered together,
and upon these holy gifts,
fashioned from the fruits of the Earth,
revealing here and now 
the living and saving Presence of Jesus Christ
with us, within us, around us, and among us.

Through Christ,
with Christ,
in Christ,
all glory and honor are yours,
almighty God,
and to you we render glory,
now and forever,
on behalf of all and for all.

O God,
like a mother hen you are always gathering your children,
and so we are bold to pray the prayer that Jesus taught us,
saying: Our Father….

The Breaking of Bread

The Lord Jesus, 
on the night when he was betrayed, 
took a loaf of bread, 
and when he had given thanks, 
he broke it and said, 
“This is my body that is for you.  
Do this in remembrance of me.” 

The minister takes the loaf and breaks it in full view of the people.

In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  
Do this, as often as you drink it, 
in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The minister fills the cup and lifts it in the view of the people.

Behold the Lamb of God
who restores and makes holy
those who share in him.

The Holy Communion of the People

With hearts trusting in an awesome God, 
come to the Table.  
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Receive the Body of Christ:
taste the fountain of immortality.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

TF The people come to the Table to share in Christ’s body and blood by intinction:
taking a piece of bread, dipping it into the cup, and eating it.
Those who wish to pray with the pastor before or after communion
may meet with him to the side.

LW  August  
The people come to the Table to share in Christ’s body and blood by intinction:
taking a piece of bread, dipping it into the cup, and eating it.
LW  September
When receiving a tray, first hold it for the person from whom you received it. Then pass it to the next person who will hold it for you so you can take a piece of the bread or a cup.  Eat the bread when you receive it; but please hold the cup so we all may commune together after everyone has been served. 

May the Body and Blood of Christ our God bring you to everlasting life.

Communion Music: 

Closing Prayer 

Gracious God,
we give you thanks
that in Jesus Christ,
who is your Word,
you have emptied yourself,
becoming flesh to dwell among us
full of grace and truth.
In giving his life for the life of the world
he sets us free from sin and death,
and shows us your holy way of love.
He gives us your Holy Spirit
by whom he is present with us even now,
gathering us into one beloved community.
and sending us into the world
with the good news of your love.

Or, if we do not celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the service resumes here from the Doxology, above:
 
8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer

Gracious God,
we give you thanks
that in Jesus Christ,
who is your Word,
you have emptied yourself,
becoming flesh to dwell among us
full of grace and truth.
He brings good news to the poor,
proclaims release to the captives,
gives sight to the blind,
liberates the oppressed,
makes the lame walk,
welcomes sinners, 
and even raises the dead.
In giving his life for the life of the world
he sets us free from sin and death.
And he gives us your Holy Spirit
by whom he is present with us even now,
gathering us into one beloved community.
and sending us into the world
with the good news of your love.

O God,
like a mother hen with her chicks,
you are always gathering your children.
And so we are bold to pray in the words Jesus taught us,
saying: Our Father….

*Hymn: 

8/6 “Break Thou the Bread of Life” 329/460
8/13 “Lonely the Boat” 373/185
8/20 “In Christ There Is No East or West” 440/317
8/27 “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” 446/81
9/3 “Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said” 393/718
9/10 “Kum Ba Yah”         338/472
9/17 “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” 298/435
9/24 Come, Labor On” 415/719


SENDING

*Charge 

8/6, 9/3
God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol....
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet... anything that belongs to your neighbor.         From Exodus 20:1-17

8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24
“Hear, O Israel:
the Lord your God is one!
And you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Jesus says this is the first and the greatest commandment;
and that the second is like it: Mark 12:29-31
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18 

May our lives shine in obedience to these two commandments.

*Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord be kind and gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor,
and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

*Choral Benediction: “Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil” —-/750

*Dismissal

*Postlude:

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