Our guest minister for today’s worship service is Rev. Dr. Jamall Calloway! Welcome Jamall!
Gathering Music (Music Medley) Sung by Lionel Jasmin, minister of Music
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
I Give Myself Away
Lord, You Give and Take Away
Blessed Be Your Name
Call To Worship (Philippians 4: 4-8)
Minister: Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
PEOPLE: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Minister: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ALL: 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.
Prayer of Invocation
Dear God, we thank you for allowing us to see another morning. May our worship service today, and every Sunday this season, be filled with your presence, your love, your forgiveness and your grace. Oh God, stir us, challenge us, stretch us, and create a clean heart within us. Beckon us, dear God. Input a nagging desire to give without keeping record; to forgive without clenching resentment; to analyze without self-righteousness; and to remember that we too are earthen vessels who fall short and need help. And dear God, please hear our prayers and compel us to sincerely pray. And together, as a church family, we give you honor, glory, credit and gratitude. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Hymn of Praise Blessed Assurance, #67, Red Hymnal, Vrs. 1,2,3
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my son. Praising my Savior all the day long.
JOB 2: One day the heavenly beings[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan,[c] “Where have you come from?” Satan[d] answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan,[e] “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.” 4 Then Satan[f] answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives.[g]5 But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 The Lord said to Satan,[h] “Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life.”
7 So Satan[i] went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 Job[j] took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse[k] God, and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Ecclesiastes 3: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Special Music Tanya and Alejandro Tapia “Amemonos De Corazon” by Joseph Abell
Sermon “A Strange Time” Guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Jamall Calloway
Closing Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus #466, Red hymnal, Vrs 1,2,3
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our refuge- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee- though wilt find a solace there.
Announcements
*Senior Pastor, Rev. Liz Aguilar is on vacation and will return on July 24th. If you have any pastoral emergencies before her return, please call Associate Pastor, Rev. Victoria Freiheit. For all other matters please call moderator Mike Bishop.
**Next Sunday, Rev. Mark Weber, chaplain coordinator at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, will be our guest preacher and liturgist. Welcome Mark!
Benediction: (Romans 15:13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen.
As always, please find attached the order of worship for this Sunday, July 5, 2020. It is Communion Sunday so please have bread and juice ready for you to partake in, during worship.
Happy July 4th and “see you” on Sunday during worship!
Pastor: Out of the fullness of the lives God has given us we have come to worship and to praise.
People: With thanks we offer to God the creativity of our minds, the warmth of our hearts, and the joy of our spirits.
Pastor: We love because God has first loved us, freeing us from the power of sin and death.
All: With glad hearts let us join together in singing praises to God; Creator, Word, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of Invocation (In Unison; Alludes to Matthew 11:28-30)
We come before you O God, ever mindful of our fragility and yet our strength; strength, which we find in our identity as your children. We thank you for your constant faithfulness in our lives. As we begin to worship you now, may your Holy Spirit draw us to you and to one another, even across the miles that separate us. May we focus our time on you, O Lord, for you are worthy to be praised! Receive our “burdens” now Jesus, and give us “your rest.” In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Hymn of Praise “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lighting of His terrible swift sword, His truth is marching on!
Refrain: Glory, glory, hallelujah! (3x) His truth is marching on!
I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps, They have build-ed Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps, His day is marching on!
Refrain
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his being that transfigures you and me. As He died to make us holy let us live to make all free! While God is marching on!
Refrain
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading Matthew 11: 28-30
Communion Meditation “Giving God Our Burdens”
Holy Communion
Invitation(Read responsively)
Come to a table not defined by wood or stone but by what rests upon it — which is the “me” of Christ.
Come unto me because any burden is heavy to the one who is under it.
Come unto me with the burden of a crowded life or a lonely one.
Come unto me with a burden of grief — for the death of a beloved person or a companion animal, for an ability you have no longer, or a relationship needing reconciliation.
Come unto me with the burden of a disappointment, even one that doesn’t seem significant enough, or a fear deeper than words.
Come unto the “me” of Christ with any burden — for here is rest for the weary, lightening of suffering, gentleness, and guidelines for becoming gentle.
Here is a yoke of responsibility that can be lifted because of a small piece of bread and a sip of the cup of hope.
Prayer of Consecration
In your many kitchens, and living rooms, rest your hands lightly upon these elements which we set aside today to be a sacrament. We ask God’s blessing on them and on us and on all those who are in our prayers this morning.
Unison: God of the open hand and the gentle yoke, we await your gift and your service. Send your Spirit of life and love, of power and blessing upon your children in every “house of worship,” so that this Bread may be broken and gathered in love and this Cup poured out to give hope to all. Risen Christ, live in us, that we may live in you. Breathe in us, that we may breathe in you. Amen.
Words of Institution
Sharing of the Elements
Leader: Let us at many tables receive the gift of God, the Bread of Heaven. Unison: We come unto Christ in the Bread we share. Leader: Let us in many places receive the gift of God, the Cup of Blessing. Unison: We come unto Christ in the Cup we share.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Leader: In thanksgiving for this meal of grace and in the holy dispersion of virtual worship, we claim the risen Christ’s love and gentle yoke are found in all houses of worship. Let us pray …
O Holy One, we have come unto you with our weariness and we have let go of all in our lives that is heavy. We thank you for the rest and strength of this communion so now we can lift up all that is light and gentle, humble and easy, and learn from you how to change the world. Amen
Closing Hymn “Lead Me to Calvary”
King of my life I crown Thee now- Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn- crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.
Refrain: Lest I forget Gethsemene, Lest I forget this agony, Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, Tenderly mourned and wept. Angels in robes of light arrayed. Guard Thee whilst Thou slept.
Refrain
May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for Thee; Even Thy cup of grief to share- Thou hast borne all for me.
Announcements
Special Music “God Bless America” Sung by Lionel Jasmine
Benediction: Go forth in peace to live into Jesus,’ most joyful command: Come to me! And may we follow him into a rest that bears fruit in justice, love and peace for each of us, and all of us! Amen.
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(“The Call to Worship” Comes from Flames of the Spirit, Ruth C. Duck, Pilgrim Press, New York, NY. 1985. “The Communion Liturgy” for today was written by Marin Taribassi, UCC pastor and author. Used with permission by her. “The Benediction” was written by Rev. Susan Blain, for Worship Ways, on-line worship. Used with permission by the United Church of Christ.)
Join our first ZOOM PRAYER MEEETING this coming Wednesday evening July 1 at 7 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. As you might know, I have already been leading prayer services via facebook live, but I am now inviting any of you who would like to participate via ZOOM, instead. Doing it via zoom will allow everyone to participate in a more interactive, engaging way. We will “try it” and see how it goes! If we like that format we will continue using Zoom every Wednesday evening for prayer time. (Bonus: I hear Pastor Jim might be on the call with us!!)
Grace and peace to you on this day. You are welcome to join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 AM as Pastor Liz live streams. Below are your worship materials and link to the video. Blessings!
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
Prayer of Invocation
Holy One, who calls us into community, and invites us to welcome your prophets and messengers, let us experience your welcome to us gathered in various places but joined in this moment. Show us that we are beloved and honored in your presence and in this community.
Show us how to put our resources at the service of all, help us know that the cup of water given in your name nourishes the one who gives and the one who receives. Satisfy our thirst to know your presence here and now.
Hymn of Praise “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, kindred all are we. Let us walk with each other, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally! Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading Matthew 12:40-42
40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Special Music David Hand “Psalm 23, The Lord Is My Shepherd”
Sermon “Whom Do We Welcome?”
Closing Hymn “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored; And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, And all praise to Christ Jesus His only Son, And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Announcements
Benediction: (Romans 15:13)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen.
Grace and peace to you on this day. You are welcome to join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 AM as Pastor Liz live streams. Below are your worship materials and link to the video. Blessings!
Loving God who is our constant companion. Thank you for allowing us to worship you this morning. Thank you for uniting our voices and hearts across the miles, from our homes. We know you are Alpha and Omega, yet also our Savior and Redeemer. We worship you, O God, and call upon your Spirit to speak to us, fill us, and empower us to do your good work in the world. As we think of our fathers on this Father’s Day we ask your special blessings upon them. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Opening Hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory” (NCH; #436, Vrs 1, 2, and 5)
God of grace and God of glory, on you people pour your power; crown your ancient church’s story; bring its but to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
From the evil’s that surround us and assail the Savior’s way, from the fears that long have bound us free our hearts for faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the search for your salvation be our glory ever more. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore, serving you whom we adore.
Special Music by Niel and Nate Purificacion “Wind Beneath My Wings”
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Micah 6:6-8
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Sermon “…And what does the Lord require of you”
Closing Hymn- When Peace Like a River (NCH #438, Vrs.1,2, and4)
Verse 1
When peace, like a river, upholds me each day, when sorrows like sea billows role, what ever my lot, you have taught me to say, “it is well, it is well with my soul.”
Refrain
It is well with my soul, it is well. It is well, with my soul.
Verse 2
Though evil should tempt me, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has payed life and blood for my soul:
Refrain
It is well with my soul, it is well. It is well, with my soul.
Verse 4
Oh God, speed the day that is filled with your light, when clouds are rolled back as a scroll; the trumpets shall sound and the Lord shall appear, “even so,” – it is well with my soul.
Refrain
It is well with my soul, it is well. It is well, with my soul.
