Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
23 August, 2020
“We see what we are ready to see; what we expect to see.”
- Richard Rohr, The Naked Now
“Simon, do you see this woman?” - Jesus (Luke 7:44)
Call to Worship
"Bless The Lord"
words: Taizé Community, 1984; © 1984, 1998 Les Presses de Taizé (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)
music: (BLESS THE LORD (Taizé) , Irregular): Jacques Berthier, 1984; © 1984, 1998 Les Presses de Taizé (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)
Bless the Lord, my soul
And bless God’s holy name
Bless the Lord, my soul
Who leads me into life
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Psalm 67)
Hymn
"Canticle of the Turning"
words: Rory Cooney © 1990, GIA Publications, Inc.
music: STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN (Irish trad.)
My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the one who waits
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight and my weakness you did not spurn
So from east to west shall my name be bless'd, could the world be about to turn?
chorus:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near
and the world is about to turn
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be
Your very name puts the proud to shame and those who would for you yearn
You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn
chorus
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne
The hungry poor shall weep no more for the food they can never earn
There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn
chorus
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp
This saving word that our forbears heard is the promise that holds us bound
'Til the spear and rod be crushed by God who is turning the world around
chorus
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 56:1-2 (niv)
This is what the Lord says:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Confession
We serve a God of limitless power and might. Yet, he looks on us with kindness, a kindness that leads us toward repentance and reconciliation. In the freedom the gospel provides, we are able to confess that we do not give the Lord the praise he is worthy of and we do not love our neighbors as ourselves.
Paul’s letter to the Romans leads us in confession:
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:1-4)
Take a moment now to acknowledge these things silently before the Lord, knowing forgiveness and rest are freely available in Jesus.
Confession
Take a moment now to acknowledge these things silently before the Lord, knowing forgiveness and rest are freely available in Jesus.
Receiving of Grace
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Let us remember the promise of the gospel:
In Christ we are forgiven.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
During the reflection time, children are invited to engage in a special time of reading and song so they can learn and discover the gospel in a language and style more suitable to them. Click here for the video.
Reflection
Andy Pelander
Matthew 11:1-6; Isaiah 35:1-6 (niv)
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
Hymn
"It Is Well With My Soul"
words: Horatio Spafford (1873) and Evan Wilson (2012)
music: Evan Wilson (2012)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait
The sky, not the grave, is our goal
O song of the angel, O voice of the Lord
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
chorus:
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though the rivers bring peace or the sea billows roll
It is well, with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
He has shed his own blood for us all
chorus
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live
If Jordan above me shall roll
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
You will whisper Your peace to my soul
You will whisper Your peace to my soul
Community Sharing
Gathering next Sunday September 30 on Zoom at 10a and for Communion at 11:30a. More details coming soon!
Giving
Freely you have received; freely give.
(Matthew 10:8)
All we have is given to us by God. Our offerings express this joyful dependence as well as our commitment to join God in his work of renewal. He who met our most dire need through Christ will continue to provide for every need we have— so, whether we have much or little, God calls us to treasure and trust Him above all.
All gifts go toward ministry initiatives of All Souls and relief of those in need.
Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen.
Let us go forth and serve our world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Connect during COVID
There are a variety of ways to meaningfully connect with the All Souls community as together we are learning to entrust ourselves to God during this time. Learn more.
Theology in Color
A free online course to study the history and theological insights of our Black, Latin American, and Asian brothers and sisters. There's an opportunity for backyard discussion in August. Learn more.
