Communion Elements
Holy Communion will be “served“ during our online worship service this Sunday, May 3rd. 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.
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Bulletin for August 2, 2020
Prelude – “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling” – Thad Goodwin
Will Thomson, arr. William Felton
Announcements and Centering
Call to Worship – Rev. David Bucey
One: The day breaks
All: And God does not let us go.
One: The hour calls
All: And God does not let us go.
One: The evening falls
All: And God holds us fast.
One: Let us turn to God in worship
All: God, who never turns from us.
Gathering Prayer
Leader: God, you see us.
You see our struggles,
You see our difficulties.
All: You see our possibilities,
You see our promise.
Leader: Connect the dots for us, O God.
Soften the hard spots with your blessing.
All: Call us in our wandering to hear you say our names.
Satisfy our longings as with loaves and fishes and manna from
heaven.
Leader: For you are a good God, a God present in the scramble,
And in the end, you always, always have a blessing.
All: For this and so much more,
we give you thanks, through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Children’s Sermon – Jesus Feeds the 5,000
Special Music – “The Heaven’s Declare” – Linda Fairleigh
Beethoven
Scripture Reading – Peter Challan – Matthew 14:13-22
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
Sermon – “They Need Not Go Away” – Rev David Bucey
Invitation to Offering
When resources were short, did Christ worry?
No! Christ saw the gifts, and Christ multiplied them!
This is the miracle we witness every time we give to the church.
God will take what we have, and God will do good things with it.
You are invited to give, and even to participate in the miracle
of God’s multiplying acts.
This morning’s offering will now be given and received.
Offertory Music – “The God of Abraham Praise” – Thad Goodwin & Amy Maneval
Prayer of Dedication:
God of increase and bounty, Source of all good things:
we offer these gifts as a portion of that which you have given us.
May these gifts be as loaves and fishes
for those who find themselves in poverty or hunger.
All: May this act of giving bring about change:
change in our lives,
change in the lives we touch,
change in the systems that harm.
Through Christ, who gave so much to save. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer Lord’s Prayer
Holy Communion
The Invitation
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
God’s peace: carry, keep and hold you.
God’s love: nourish, bless and enfold you.
God’s spirit: inspire, lift and mold you.
Almighty God: Triune, holy and blessed
Be with you now and forever. Amen.
Postlude – “Sweet Hour of Prayer” – Thad Goodwin
William Bradbury, arr. William Felton
Written by the Rev. Kaji S. Douša, Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church, New York City. Adapted for online use by Susan A. Blain.
Copyright 2020 Justice and Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.
