Sunday, August 11, 2019
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
For Meditation and Reflection:
“To be God’s friend is true perfection. Not to avoid a wicked life because like slaves we servilely fear punishment, nor to do good because we hope for rewards, as if cashing in on the virtuous life by some business-like arrangement. On the contrary, disregarding all those things for which we hope and which have been reserved by promise, we regard falling from God’s friendship as the only thing dreadful and we consider becoming God’s friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire.”
(Gregory of Nyssa, 331-396)
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer (Pastor)
Call to Worship
Pastor: Trust in the Lord and do good.
People: May the Lord give strength to the people!
Pastor: O taste and see that the Lord is good!
People: God is our refuge and strength!
Opening Hymn: Come, O Fount of Every Blessing #459
Prayer for Illumination (Pastor)
Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 12:32-40
Sermon “Ready” Mike Lyle
The Offerings and Offertory Music
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflective Hymn: This Little Light/This Joy I Have #524
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and People
Lord’s Prayer [Traditional, with “debts”]
Closing Hymn: I Love to Tell the Story #522
Benediction (Pastor) Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day/Week
This passage is written as if Christ were speaking:
“How foolish and blind are those who choose to cross through the water when the road has been built for them! This road is such a joy for those who travel on it that it makes every bitterness sweet for them, and every burden light. Though they are in the darkness of the body, they find light; and though they are mortal, they find life without death. For through love and the light of faith they taste eternal Truth, with the promise of refreshment in return for the weariness they have borne for me.“
(Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Schedule: 10am worship July and August.
This Sunday, August 11th – Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle
Next Sunday, August 18th –
10 am – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle
11:05-ish – Our Evolving Organizational Structure – The Church Council has been in conversation with Pastor Samantha on how to structure ourselves in a way that aligns best with our current stage of ministry together. Over the next several months, Samantha will host a short, 20 minute review and Q/A in the sanctuary, describing a potential Church Structure that will be voted on during our next Annual Meeting on October 13th. Next date to attend is 9/15.
11:30 am – Council Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, August 25th – 10 am – Please join us for breakfast & informal worship in the Fellowship Hall. Dave Kirk and Bill Zenner will do the cooking; in July they perfected their technique at the RAM!
Sunday, Sept 1st,11 am – Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle
Sunday, Sept. 8th, 10am is the start of Sunday School to be held every 2nd Sunday.
Parsonage Project: Please call or text Lauranne at 703-346-3071 if you can spend a few hours clearing out the Parsonage. Teens and young adults will earn $15/hr. We need to get this done in August!
Adult English Classes: Saturdays at 12 noon during August in the St. James Fellowship Hall. No registration required. If popular, classes will be offered indefinitely.
Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall.