Communion Elements
Holy Communion will be “served“ during our online worship service this Sunday. Each worshipping participant is asked to supply his/her own bread and wine from the bounty of their own home. Because bread comes in so many forms, the Pastors encourage you to use what you have in your cupboard or pantry — a small piece of bread, an oyster cracker, leftover toast from breakfast.
For the wine, your choices are broader —- grape juice, fruit juice, lemonade, and of course the real thing.
Whatever we use this Sunday for Holy Communion, we come together in the hope that the act of communally remembering the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ will find us strengthened as we gather in our homes.
May our faith unite us as we partake of this sacramental meal.
Come To Me!
Service Prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
July 5, 2020
“The Most Influential Person Who Never Lived”
Prelude – “Patriotic Medley” – arr. W. Felton – Thad Goodwin
Announcements and Centering
Call to Worship – Rev. Wesley Snedeker
Leader: Jesus says Come to me—Everyone! When I play a joyful tune
People: we’ll dance!
Leader: When I sing a lament
People: we’ll weep!
Leader: When I chant for justice
People: we’ll sing along!
Invocation
Come to us, Holy One,
And immerse us in the beauty of life with you!
Come to us, Holy One,
And enliven our community with the intensity of your love
Come to us, Holy One,
And embolden our community with the urgency of your justice
In the name of the One who calls us to play and to work in community,
Jesus, our beloved.
Scripture Reading – Matthew 13:1-9; 19-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Special Music – Linda Fairleigh
Sermon – “The Most Influential Person Who Never Lived” – Rev David Bucey
Call to Offering
The treasure of God’s glory is Jesus, shining in our hearts.
We hold this treasure in the earthen vessels of our lives.
Let us share freely of the gifts we have been given,
that the glory of God may be known
in the works of community, justice and peace.
Offertory Music – “Jesus Calls Us” – Linda Fairleigh
Prayer of Dedication
People: Take and receive these gifts dear God,
bless and multiply them
that they may show the world your glory,
shining through our lives.
Pastoral Prayer
Silent Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Holy Communion
Communion Service
Leader: Three days after witnessing Jesus’ execution at the hands of the Roman Empire, two of his disciples were fleeing Jerusalem when they were confronted on the road by a man they did not recognize. They told him of all they saw, and offered him hospitality when he needed it. The stranger broke bread with them, and they recognized in him the perfectly manifested presence of God.
Pastor lifts bread
With their eyes newly opened, the two returned to the community of Christ and proclaimed what they had seen and all of them together drank deeply from the cup of Christ’s everlasting resurrection.
Pastor lifts cup
All are welcome in the Kingdom of God, and in like manner all are welcome at this table. This table is a celebration and a challenge, an assurance of grace and a call to righteousness. Let us together celebrate the gift of Christ’s resurrection, but let us also be mindful of the work to which we are invited in the building of God’s reign on earth. In the fullness of the Spirit’s presence among us, we join in Holy Communion.
Sharing of the elements
Come for all things are ready
Pass Bread
Take, eat and realize.
Pass Cup
Take, drink and become.
Giving Thanks
All: Lord, you now have set your servants free to go in peace as you have promised. For these eyes of ours have seen the Savior whom you have prepared for all the world to see! Blessing and honor and glory are yours, now and forever.
One: You have seen the Savior. Go now in peace. And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, go with you.
All: Amen.
Benediction
Go forth in peace to live into Jesus’ most joyful command: Come to me!
And may we follow him into a rest that bears fruit
in justice, love and peace
for each of us, and all of us
Closing Music – “Passacaglia” (by Gordon Young) – Thad Goodwin
Come to Me! Service Prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, were written by
the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship and Art, UCC.
