Guided worship resources for those Sundays we do not meet together.

Worship Guide -- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

7/19/2020

Worship with 1 Click

You can choose to watch all of this Sunday's worship service in a series of linked videos, one after the other by clicking this link. Just press the button that says "PLAY ALL" and sit back and relax. Otherwise, proceed as normal through the sections.

We are nearing that time where we thought, surely, surely, life would begin to return to normal.

And yet, it is not.

Recall our stories from creation all the way through the Word. Alpha and Omega. Nothing ever returns to “the old ways.” A new thing is continually created.

Change is a big part of our story. For some, the hope for a Messiah included an idea that an old normal of David the King might return. But from the beginning, Jesus was change: arriving as a baby on the road; an immigrant; returning and watching, waiting for the time; gathering his disciples who were common men and women; miracles beginning with water into wine and ending with raising Lazarus from the dead; he listened to women and was changed; he became a servant and washed feet as he had learned from a woman. Jesus lived in the moment.

Maybe that is our calling today. Stop waiting. Be alive in this moment.

“If comparison is the thief of joy then Lord, help me to not compare my life today to my life 6 months ago. Help me find the joy in THIS life, and in THIS day and to know that it is from you, and it is enough. Amen.” -Nadia Bolz-Weber

Connections with Andrea

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

People of God, let us gather
to worship and praise God’s name.
In the word of the Psalmist:
I give thanks to you, O God,
with my whole heart.
I will glorify your name forever!
For great is your steadfast love for me.
You have delivered my soul from the depths.
God says, “Know that I am with you
and will keep you wherever you go.”

Let us pray:
Sower for the Field,
continue to be gracious with us
that we may ripen into the children of God’s realm
and live with you forever
shining like the sun
in God’s heavenly home. Amen.

Time of Confession and Assurance

“If comparison is the thief of joy then Lord, help me to not compare my life today to my life 6 months ago. Help me find the joy in THIS life, and in THIS day and to know that it is from you, and it is enough. Amen.” -Nadia Bolz-Weber

This prayer of Rev. Bolz-Weber speaks to us of the harm of comparison, especially when we consider the now to the then. And our comparisons to our “thens” will not be anything like others, whose “thens” have been generations of trauma and grief. Might we consider what our “now” can be that offers abundant room for new life and new creation for all people? How do we prepare for that?

Our God says: do not fear. Our God is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. God’s hand shall lead us and hold us fast. So be reconciled with God and at peace with one another.

Peace of Christ be with you.