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Jun 28, 2020

A Blessing

A Blessing

Passage: Philippians 4:4-9

Speaker: Rev. Vivian McCarthy, Pastor

Now I just want to talk with you a little – to share the blessing of being your pastor for the last 7 years.
Second Sunday After Pentecost
June 28, 2020- 10 am
 
Opening Praise   How Great Thou Art  Adam O'Dell                                ~Traditional Swedish
 
Call to Worship
Scripture says:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
 
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  (Deuteronomy 31:6)
 
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  (Isaiah 43:19)
 
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. (Revelation 21:5)
 
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28)
 
Hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness Adam Leading
 
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
 
Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
 
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
 
Refrain
 
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
 
Refrain
 
Unison Prayer Pastor Barbara Parnell Leading
 
Great and glorious God, in your creativity, generosity and wisdom, you gave us a world where change is constant and amazing.  Seasons change,  each revealing its particular beauty.  Children change, growing in their abilities and understandings, and we are awed by their development.  Science and technology change the world as discoveries expand horizons and offer life-changing medical advances, among other things.  As we look toward change in our congregation, God, show us your amazing work in this process and give us peace as well as a sense of excitement for where you are leading!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
 
Proclamation and Response
 
Scriptures Philippians 4:4-9 Pastor Barbara
 
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
 
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
 
Meditation A Blessing Pastor Vivian McCarthy
 
 
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Man of the Year
 
Thanksgiving and Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
The Holy Meal
 
Sending Forth
My brothers and sisters in Christ, I thank you for the love and support you have shown me while I have ministered among you.
I am grateful for the ways my leadership has been accepted.
I ask forgiveness for the mistakes I have made.
As I leave, I carry with me all that I have learned here.
 
We receive your thankfulness, offer forgiveness,
and accept that you now leave to retire.
We express our gratitude for your time among us.
We ask your forgiveness for our mistakes.
Your influence on our faith and faithfulness
will not leave with your departure.
 
Thank you for your gratitude and forgiveness, and I forgive you,
trusting that our time together and our parting are pleasing to God.
It is time for us to let go of each other – for you to turn to another for leadership and pastoral care and for me to explore the adventure of retirement.
 
I encourage your continuing ministry here
and will continue to pray for you and for your new pastor, Rev. Jen Eschlimann.
 
Let us pray together.
 
Eternal God, whose steadfast love for us is from everlasting to everlasting, we give you thanks for cherished memories
and commend one another into your care as we move in new directions. Keep us one in your love forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Song YOUR GRACE FINDS ME Led by Phil and Darlene Gobrecht
~ Matt Redman
 
It’s there in the newborn cry, there in the light of every sunrise
There in the shadows of this life, Your great grace
It’s there on the mountaintop, there in the everyday and the mundane
There in the sorrow and the dancing
Your great grace,  O such grace
 
Chorus:
From the creation to the cross
There from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me, Yes Your grace finds me
 
It’s there on a wedding day, there in the weeping by the graveside
There in the very breath we breathe, Your great grace
The same for the rich and poor, the same for the saint and for the sinner
Enough for this whole wide world
Your great grace, O such grace
 
Chorus:
From the creation to the cross
There from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me, Yes Your grace finds me
There in the darkest night of the storm, there in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me, Yes Your grace finds me
 
Bridge:
Your great grace, O such grace
Your great grace, O such grace
Oh, Oh,  Oh, Oh
So I’m breathing in Your grace, and breathing out Your praise
I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever,  I’ll be breathing in Your grace
And breathing out Your praise, I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever,  I’ll be breathing in Your grace
And breathing out Your praise, I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever,  I’ll be breathing in Your grace
And breathing out…. Your grace finds me
Your grace finds me.
 
Announcements
  • Personal conversations
  • VBS July 21, 22, 23
  • Sunday School
  • Devotions will continue on Wednesday eveings
  • Pat Botelle will be offering a Bible study on the book of Matthew on Wednesdays starting July 15. There will be an afternoon and evening session. Space will be limited. Details are in the mid-week and will be in the July newsletter.
Benediction Shalom to You Led by Adam
UMH #666
 
Shalom to you now
Shalom my friends
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
 
Closing Voluntary Adam