Welcome
Call to Worship:
L: Hey, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; you who have no money, come and eat!
All: Come buy without money and without price.
L: Why spend your money for that which does not nurture you?
All: Why labor for that which does not satisfy?
L: Listen carefully and eat what is good, delight yourselves in rich spiritual food.
All: Come to the Lord, learn and be fed.
Song – Blessed Assurance – UMH 369
Prayer:
Almighty and Creating God, as we gather together to worship you, may we be ever mindful of the beauty around us that you have created. May we be grateful for the privilege of being your child and a co-worker of Jesus, guided and equipped by the Holy Spirit. Bless this time of worship as we join our hearts together and draw near to hear you speak to us this day. May we find healing, reconciliation and transformation in our lives. Grant that we may know the great joy that comes from sharing what we have received from you with others. Amen.
Song – Morning Has Broken – UMH
Our Offering to God
Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Offering Prayer
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading – Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. If you have ears, hear!”
L: For the Word of God in scripture; for the Word of God within us and for the Word of God among us we say:
All: Thanks be to God.
Reflection on Scripture
Draw a horizontal line in middle of paper as a timeline. Divide it into 4 parts. Label the parts first, second, third and fourth quarter. First quarter is childhood and fourth quarter is present day. Label each quarter as hard, rocky, thorny or good soil.
Song – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – UMH 133
Sharing our joys and concerns
Prayers of the People
L: God of grace and mercy, we come before you with our needs, our fears and anxieties, our hurts and sorrow. With confidence that comes from faith, we lay them out before you, trusting in your compassionate love and healing and restoring power. We pray for the people of this congregation, saying their names and knowing you are fully aware of their need.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for those who suffer and those in trouble.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for the concerns of our local community: the children, the youth, the young adults, parents, grandparents, the middle aged and the elderly.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for those who live in poverty with inadequate food and shelter; for those who live in violent situations.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for those who live in hopelessness and the shadows of depression and despair.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for the leaders of our nation and the leaders of other nations.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for the people of our nation and for every nation.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
L: We pray for the church universal and for people of all faiths.
L: Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen
Announcements
Song – I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me – TFWS 2153
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna work (pray, sing) so God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna work (pray, sing) so God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime!
African-American Spiritual. Arranged by Wendell Whalum
Benediction
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Licensing
*CCLI copyright #21178338 and streaming #21178321.
**One License Licensing Permission # A-741072.
All Rights Reserved. Reprint/Streamed.
Please keep in prayer: Diana B., Vera and family, Herin family. Hogan family, Barbara H., Bockes family, Gloria, Nema, Chris, Don and Peggy, Pearl, Ayinde, Nalo, Robert, Ramona, Nina J., Plancon family, Ruth, Bridget, Sandy, Johnnie K, Susan L., Lydia, Tina, Kyle and family, Kaye, Charlene, Marion G., Mary, Mary Jane, John, Roshier, Mark, Jane, Claire. Marian, Carlos, Al, Margaret Franklin, Debbie, Lilli, Linda, Wenona. The ministry of Cokesbury. Streetlight, Featherstone School students, teachers, staff, parents.
Rev. Dr. Michelle Holmes-Chaney, Director of Church Revitalization, Northern Virginia District will give a presentation on Single Board Model of church governance on Sunday July 2nd immediately following worship.
The Way of Discipleship
Growing in Grace through study:
Sundays following worship.
Growing in Grace through fellowship and more:
Welcome Table every Second Sunday 11:30 am. Come and share a meal and conversation.
Friday with Friends every Third Friday 11am in Narthex. Bring bag lunch.
Growing in Grace through intercessory prayer:
Prayer group meets Mondays at 5:30pm in-person and on Zoom. All are welcome to join in prayer. Please send or share prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle.
Growing in Grace through service:
A.C.T.S Food Pantry: Canned vegetables 15 oz size, low sodium canned vegetables, snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, laundry detergent, dish detergent, cleaning supplies in general, toiletries and personal hygiene items, size 4T pull-ups, size 6 diapers, dog food.
Featherstone School: personal hygiene products: toothpaste, oothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and combs. Small and medium size sweatpants in blue, gray or black
Growing in Grace through worship.
Weekly service Sundays at 10am.
Choir practice on Saturdays. Children at 2:30 pm every other week. Adults and youth at 3pm every week.
English Language Ministry Saturdays at 11am Sept 9 – Oct 28
Community Garden Update