Tag: Sermon

Dear CCCV Friends in Christ,

Blessings to you on this day! You are welcome to join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 AM. Below are your worship materials and link to the video.

https://www.facebook.com/chulavistaUCC/videos/303395407638775/

Order of Worship for August 9, 2020
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
On-line Worship Service
Community Congregational Church, UCC
P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912
www.chulavistachurch.com

 

Call To Worship         (Based on Psalm 105: 1-5)

Pastor:  Let us give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, and make His deeds known to all the people!

People: We will sing to Him, sing praises to Him and tell others of His wonderful works!

Pastor:  Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

People: We will seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.

All:  May we remember the wonderful works which He has done! Let us praise the Lord! Amen!    

Prayer of Invocation (In Unison)

God of blessings and miracles, we rejoice that we can worship you once again, just as we are and wherever we are! We aim to glorify you and sing praises to your holy name! May we learn from the story of Jesus’ invitation to Peter, to walk on the water with You. Fill us, O Holy Spirit, with your presence and strength so that we be equipped to be your faithful disciples now and always, Amen.

Hymn of Praise “Trust and Obey” (Red #454; Vrs. 1,2, and 4)

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

(Refrain)
Trust and obey, for there is no other way
To be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh, or a tear,
Can remain when we trust and obey.

(Refrain)

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side on the way;
Where He sends we will go, where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading     Matthew 14: 22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Special Music   

Sermon     “Truth or Dare: Walking on Water with Jesus”          

Closing Hymn    “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” (Red, #91; Vrs. 1, 2, and 4)

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “dost saith the Lord.”

(Refrain)
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
All for grace to trust Him more!

How I love to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood,
Just in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood!

(Refrain)

I‘m so glad I learned to trust Him,
precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,
And I know that He is with me,
He’ll be with me to the end.

Announcements

• Make sure you watch worship next Sunday for worship on-line from the sanctuary! (Same time, and same on-line places to watch, but with a whole “new look!”)
• We continue to ask for offerings and pledges to be either sent via regular mail to our P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912 or electronically through our web page at www.chulavistachurch.com!

Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you His peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

 

Dear CCCV Friends in Christ,

Blessings 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.

https://www.facebook.com/chulavistaUCC/videos/666734760860081

Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista,

United Church of Christ

Worship Liturgy for Sunday, August 2, 2020

9^th Sunday After Pentecost

www.chulavistachurch.com

 

 

Call to Worship  (Based on Psalm 145)

Pastor: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
People: Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever.
Pastor: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.
All: The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made!

Prayer of Invocation: In Unison (Alludes to Matthew 14:13-21)

Jesus, you are compassionate and loving. Thank you that you see our hunger too. Hunger for justice, for peace, for the pandemic to be over, and for worship in person, together. Some of us may be hungering for food, just as those in that crowd did, long ago. Your response was to feed them just as you feed us. Help us to be like you O Lord, and not like your disciples on that day, who expected the people to go fend for themselves. Thank you Savior, for showing us what love looks like. Open our hearts and our minds this hour that we may worship you joyfully and go forward with renewed hearts to serve you as we serve others. Amen.

Hymn of Praise  “Great is Your Faithfulness” (NCH, #423; Vrs 1,2,3)

Great is your faithfulness, O God, creator,
With you no shadow of turning we see.
You do not change, your compassions they fail not;
All of your goodness forever will be.

Refrain:
Great is your faithfulness!
Great is your faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed your hand has provided,
Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!

Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon, and starts in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To your great faithfulness, mercy, love.

Refrain

Pardon for sinning and a peace so enduring,
Your own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Reading Matthew 14:13-41 (Feeding the Five Thousand)

Sermon         “Compassion, Grace, Miracles, and Justice: The Way of Jesus!”

Special Music         “Lead Me Lord”      Sung by Abner Limbo

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to Communion

Call to Confession:

Pastor: In the story about feeding a multitude, Jesus asked that people bring to    him what they had. You have done that today. 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 to make them enough, and also to make them abundant for us and for all those who are in our prayers this morning. 

Prayer of Confession (All)

            God of all mercy:
            I confess that sin grips me and
            I cannot break free.
            The sins in my mind, on my lips,
            in my acts done or even ignored
            Stand between me and you. 

          My entire heart is not always yours.
          My love of neighbor falls short.
          In the name of Jesus,
          Have mercy on me. 

          Grant me your renewing forgiveness.
          Lead me on your paths of righteousness,
          And I shall delight in you
          And I shall follow you
          Giving glory to your holy name. Through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Pastor:     The God who gives, gives all. 
                    The God who loves, loves all. 
                    The God who forgives, forgives all. 

                    Through Christ, our sins, every one of them:
                    the sins of commission,
                    the sins of omission,
                    the sins we confessed with contrition –
                    all are forgiven.
 
All:              By the grace of God, we are forgiven.  Alleluia!

Prayer of Consecration (In Unison)

God of compassion, you bless and break everything we are and everything we bring to you. Our deep scarcity becomes enough to sustain us, and then our “enough” becomes an abundance we could never imagine. We pray that your Spirit of life and love, of tenderness and power, rest upon every bread and every cup, that they may feed the inmost need of each child of God and pour forth a grace that can change the world. Risen Christ, live in us, that we may live in you. Amen.

Words of Institution

Lord’s Prayer

Partaking of the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving: (In unison)

Thank you, loving Jesus, for feeding us this morning with these simple elements.  Thank you for what they represent: your ever-loving, gracious   love for all humanity. May we be moved by Christ’s impartial love and, in so doing, always keep our circle of Christian love open. May we never be tired of serving others with compassion and wisdom as you did. Amen.

Closing Hymn  “Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound” (NCH 547, vrs. 1,2,3,5)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’d first begun.

Announcements:

• Victoria is on sabbatical until August 21.
• We now have on-line giving option! Go to our church web page to give on-line! (chulavistachurch.com) If you want to continue to give your offering by mail, please send it to our mailing address: P.O.Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912
• Our Pre-school opens tomorrow! Please keep them in your prayers.

Benediction: Go out in joy and faith, knowing that the God of compassion, abundance, miracles and amazing grace loves you and will give YOU all that you need! Amen.

 

(Note: The Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon were written by Written by the Rev. Kaji S. Douša, Senior Minister of  Park Avenue Christian Church, New York City. Adapted for online use by Susan A. Blain. Copyright 2020 Justice and Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved. The Prayer of Consecration was Written by Rev. Maren Tirabassi and used with permission by her. All other liturgy was written by Rev. Liz Aguilar.)

 

Dear CCCV Friends in Christ,

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!

https://www.facebook.com/chulavistaUCC/videos/322044125833474/

Order of Worship for July 26, 2020

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

On-line Worship Service

Community Congregational Church, UCC

P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91910

www.chulavistachurch.com

 

 

Call To Worship (Based on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)

Pastor: The kingdom of heaven is like:
People: A tiny mustard seed that carries the life of a tree
Pastor: The kingdom of heaven is like:
People: A tiny portion of yeast that makes bread rise
Pastor: The kingdom of heaven is like:
People: A tiny pearl of great price
that we would give all our “stuff” to have
Pastor: The kingdom of heaven is like:
People: A fishing boat filled with catch—good and bad together—
With fisherfolk wise to recognize the good.

 Prayer of Invocation (in unison)

(Please note- the word “kin-dom” is intentionally spelled that way.)

Holy One,
you call us to find your kin-dom
already hidden in our world—
in tiny, transforming possibilities;
in beauty that calls us to surrender all;
in complicated choices that call for wisdom.
Reveal yourself here in this moment
And heighten our senses that we may  find you
And join you in building this kin-dom of love, and hope, and peace.
In the name of the One who calls us to seek,
Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

Opening Hymn of Praise  “Open My Eyes That I May See”  (Red, #486, vrs. 1,2,3)

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth You have for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unlock and set me free.
Silently now I wait for You, ready my God, your will to do;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my years, that I may hear voices of truth so sharp and clear;
And while the message sounds in my ear, everything else will disappear.
Silently now I wait for You, ready, my God, your will to do;
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, let me declare words of assurance everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare your loving kindnesses to share.
Silently now I wait for You, ready my God, your will to do;
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading  Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

³¹ He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; ³² it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” ³³ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with^[a] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶ on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; ⁴⁸ when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹ So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” ⁵² And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Special Music                      “Through It All”                                          By Lionel Jasmin

Sermon         “Parables for Today”       

Closing Hymn “Be Though My Vision” (NCH, #451; vrs. 1,2,4)

Be now my vision, O God of my heart;
Nothing surpasses the love you impart
You my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, your presence my light.

Be now my wisdom, and be my true word;
Ever within me, my soul is assured;
Mother and Father, you are both to me,
Now and forever your child I will be.

Sovereign of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever be fall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Announcements

While we may still be separated by distance, we continue united in Christ’s love. We thank you for your continued service to God through our offering. Please send in your pledges and offerings to our new mailing address: P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912. Thank you.

Our Church Council has a meeting today at 11 a.m. Please pray for continued wisdom and guidance as we move forward, together. If you are on Council and did not receive the zoom link for it please contact Moderator Mike Bishop asap.

Prayer Time resumes THIS Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Pastor Liz will go back to leading this time live (instead of zoom). Please go to www.facebook.live/chulavistUCC to watch. Please type in prayer requests as needed.

Please look for a special email this coming week with times for you to sign up for conversation/check-in with Pastor Liz via any of the following on-line platforms: zoom, face-time, skype or messenger.

Benediction

 

Note: The Call to Worship and Prayer of Invocation were written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship and Gospel Arts, Faith INFO Ministry Team, UCC. Copyright 2020 (Used with permission by Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.) 

Dear Church Family,

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 4^th and “see you” on Sunday during worship!

God bless you,

Pastor Liz Aguilar, Senior Pastor

https://www.facebook.com/chulavistaUCC/videos/955907824844837/

Order of Worship for July 5, 2020

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

On-line Worship Service

Community Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912

www.chulavistachurch.com

Call To 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.

 ~~

(“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.)

 

Dear CCCV Friends in Christ,

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!

https://www.facebook.com/chulavistaUCC/videos/282750902844015/

Order of Worship for June 28, 2020

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

On-line Worship Service

Community Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

P.O. Box 5574 Chula Vista, CA 91912

www.chulavistachurch.church

Call To Worship                  Psalm 89:1-5

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.