Third Sunday after Pentecost

Color: Green
Scripture Readings: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7), Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Call to Worship #1

L: Raise your voices in response to God’s goodness.
P: We praise you, O Lord, for all the blessings you have given us.
L: Lift your hearts in sweet surrender to God’s mercy.
P: We thank you, O Lord, for hearing the prayers of our hearts.
L: God is good; Praise be to God!
P: The love and mercy of God never fails.. AMEN.

Call to Worship #2

[Using THE FAITH WE SING, singers’ edition, p. 2208, “Guide My Feet”, have the choir or a small group of people sing the suggested verses – this may also be done by a soloist]

L: We are being called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
P: Lord, guide our feet as we enter this pathway of service for you.
Choir: singing Verse 1, “Guide My Feet” – [don’t drag the tempo on this song, sing it with a little swing!]
L: It’s not going to be easy; there are dangers out there!
P: Lord, help us to face those dangers with powerful faith!
Choir: singing verse 3 of “Guide My Feet”
L: Some people are going to misunderstand
P: Help us to be clear and faithful in bringing your message of redemption.
Choir: singing verse 5 of “Guide My Feet”

Gathering Prayer

Lord, open our hearts this day to receive your word for us. Give us courage and hope. AMEN.

Morning Prayer

Lord, this day we will hear of the miracles that have inspired people to be your disciples. We will hear of Sarah, who in her old age, conceived a son; we will hear of the disciples who are given the mandate to heal, to raise the dead, to proclaim the kingdom and the good news of God’s redeeming love. We stand in that long line of those who are called. We are ready to work for you that this broken world may be healed. AMEN.

Offering

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we know that there is much work to be done; far more than we ever imagined. We ask that you bless these gifts that they be used for the work you have set before us, for we place our lives and trust in you. AMEN.

Benediction/Sending Forth

When you leave this place, go with confidence in God’s gracious love and mercy. Go, ready to proclaim the good news and serve our Lord by caring for others. AMEN.

Children’s Time

Good morning! How many of you have gone on a trip? Have you gone for several days? Many of you will have traveled by car; some will go far away and they will travel by airplane; others may take a train or bus to get to their destination. No matter what, your parents made sure that you all got to your destination safely. Today we will hear about the disciples, the special friends of Jesus who were sent out. Jesus didn’t give any special destination; he just wanted them to go and to help people along the way. He told them it would be difficult; some people might not want to hear about God’s good news of love; others won’t believe it and these words will make them mad; some will just ignore them; but there will be those whose lives will be changed forever by hearing and believing in God’s good news. It was a mission that was very risky and they might get beat up; but maybe not. He asked them to believe and to rely on God’s presence with them. God would guide their steps. It is important to be safe in all our journeys, but it is also important to know that God is with us wherever we go. God’s love is around us always. That’s great news!

Art for the Altar/Worship Center

Art should depict a path way, the path way will lead to the cross and beyond.

Equipment and supplies: Brown burlap fabric covering the worship center, fabric should puddle to the floor; 6 yards green fabric (may be Kelly green or forest green); five stacks of hymnals: one stack 4 hymnals high; two stacks 3 hymnals high; two stacks 2 hymnals high; White fabric on which some foot prints have been painted. one 8” tall pillar candle; green leafy plants such as ivy or ferns at the base of the altar/worship table; large rocks, some placed at base and others beside the white path.

Scripture into Script

Romans 5:1-3

Reader 1: People, listen to this: since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have access by faith into this place in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory.

Reader 2: But not only that! We can take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance; endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Reader 1: While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people. It isn’t often that someone will die for a righteous person, though someone might dare to die for a good person.

Reader 2: But God shows us his love, because while were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Message Movers

Have you ever had any ask you to take an office in the church? Have they ever said,” There’s not much work to do.” Then you discover, after taking the office, that a lot is expected of you.

In today’s scripture from Matthew, Jesus is aware of all that has to be done. He gives the disciples power to heal and to cast out demons. Then he sent them out with the following instructions:

• Don’t go to the Gentiles. Go to the people of Israel.
• Cast out demons; heal the sick and those afflicted.
• Don’t take money for your work. You got these gifts of healing for free.
• Depend on people to provide for you — your food or clothing — whatever you might need.
• In each village, find someone who is worthy and stay with them until it is time for you to leave.
• When you go to a house that is worthy of your blessing, give it to them. However, if they won’t receive your blessing, shake the dust off your feet as you leave the house and move on.
• I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves
• Watch out for people because they will hand you over to the councils and beat you in their synagogues. They will hand you over to the regional authorities and demand that you give your testimony to the Gentiles. Don’t worry – even in the midst of your trials, God is with you. Don’t worry about what you will say because the Holy Spirit will do the talking through you.
• Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.
• Whenever they harass you in one city, escape to the next.

Although this list has been somewhat limited; the idea is this: IT’S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO BE A DISCIPLE!

Being part of a faith community will place some demands on the participant. You are called by Christ to go forth; to help others; to seek ministries of justice; to be people who truly care about others. This is no less in the church. When you are asked to do something, it is because someone has seen in you the abilities to perform that task; a depth of faith which is needed. Christ is calling each one of you … are you ready to dare the road? Remember God is always with you, you will not be alone and you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ready? Let’s go!