Hill of Crosses, Saiuilia, Lithuania

THE 12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEA Service of the Word

June 21, 2020 10:00 a.m.

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The 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Stability means that I must not run away from where my battles are being fought, that I have to stand still where the real issues have to be faced. Obedience compels me to re-enact in my own life that submission of Christ himself, even though it may lead to suffering and to death. And conversatio, openness means that I must be ready to pick myself up, and start all over again in a pattern of growth that will not end until the day of my final dying. And all the time the journey is based on that Gospel paradox of losing life and finding it. … The goal of my changing life is not self-fulfillment, even though so much of the personal growth movement popular today seems to suggest that that is so. … My goal is Christ. And I shall attain that goal only by continuing struggle.”

— Esther de Waal, in Seeking God

GATHERING The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day, the day of Christ’s resurrection

Prelude — "Sonata No. 1, Adagio" by Mendelssohn Dr. Patricia Snyder, organ Welcome Greeting One: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all. Many: And also with you. Call to Worship: An Affirmation of Faith One: We believe in God Many: the maker and shaper of our pathways;

who sent Jesus to show us the narrow way, and who is the beginning and end of all our travelling.

One: We believe in Jesus Christ Many: the sharer of our flesh;

who entered and experienced the human journey, and who walks beside us on the road.

One: We believe in the Holy Spirit Many: the midwife and nurturer of our potential;

who drove Jesus out into the desert, and who calls us now to cast off from the shore.

One: We believe in God—Father, Son, and Spirit— Many: the shaper, sharer, and stirrer of our journeys;

and we recommit ourselves to following in God’s Way.

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Hymn — “O Savior, Let Me Walk With You” MARYTON

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Prayer of the Day adapted from Ignatius of Loyola One: Let us pray. Many: Teach us, good Lord God,

to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

News from our Life Together

WORD

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song Refrain — “Lead Me, Lord” Samuel Sebastian Wesley

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Prayer for Illumination Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 20:7-13

Jeremiah accuses God of forcing him into a ministry that only brings him contempt and persecution. Yet Jeremiah is confident that God will be a strong protector against his enemies and commits his life into God’s hands.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:24-39

Jesus warns his disciples that their ministry in his name will meet with opposition. However, he assures them that they need not fear for the truth will come to light. Life is found in Christ.

The refrain (“Lead Me, Lord” – music above) is repeated. Sermon — “Cost and Joy” The Rev. Matthew Emery

RESPONSE We begin our lives of responding to the gospel in prayer and offering

Responding with our Gifts

During the offertory music, while reflecting on the gifts we have to offer, those participating via Zoom are welcome to submit prayer petitions—joys and concerns—via the “Chat” feature in Zoom. These petitions will be collected together and transmitted to Pastor Matt for inclusion during the time for prayers of the people.

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An Offering Thought “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 10:39 Sometimes community feels like loss, smells like sorrow, and loudly laments what is no longer. Jesus proclaims a “kindom” community born of an essential loss to self. That death, in turn, enriches the soil from which the abundant life God desires for all creation will burgeon.

OFFERTORY MUSIC — “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Martin & Gabriel Elaine Chague, soloist

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely And long for heav'n and home

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

REFRAIN: I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender words I hear; And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fear. Though by the path He leadeth But one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. Refrain

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise, When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. Refrain

The Prayers of the People, ending with The Lord’s Prayer

Many: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory forever. Amen.

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SENDING God blesses us and sends us forth in mission for the world

Hymn — “‘Take Up Your Cross,’ the Savior Said” BOURBON

Benediction Postlude — “Prelude in F minor”, BWV 534.1, by J.S. Bach Dr. Patricia Snyder, organ

Following the postlude, the Zoom Meeting will remain open for those who wish to connect and chat—a bring-your-own-coffee “coffee hour”! We look forward to connecting with you!

The flowers on the Communion Table today are given by Bob & Stacy Malecki and Family in Celebration of Evan's Life. Evan would have been 20 years old on June 20, 2020!

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Notes and Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements: Call to Worship adapted from Pat Bennet, “Affirmation”, in Ruth Burgess, ed., Bare Feet and Buttercups: Resources for Ordinary Time, ©2008, pub. Wild Goose Resource

Group, Iona Community, Scotland.

Hymn – “O Savior, Let Me Walk with You”: Text by Washington Gladden, 1879; alt. Music by H. Percy Smith, 1874. Reprinted from The New Century Hymnal, ©1995 The Pilgrim Press, #503. Permission granted for this one-time use.

Prayer of the Day adapted from Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), as in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, ©2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Refrain – “Lead Me, Lord”: Text drawn from the biblical Psalms. Music by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1861; public domain. Reprinted from Pilgrim Hymnal, ©1958 Pilgrim Press, #524.

Scripture introductions reprinted from Sundays and Seasons 2020, ©2019 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers.

Offering Thought from Rob Blezard, Stewardship Snippets, Stewardship of Life Institute. Hymn – “‘Take Up Your Cross,’ the Savior Said”: Text by Charles William Everest, 1833, alt. Melody attrib. Freeman Lewis, 1814. Reprinted from Glory to God: Hymns,

Psalms, and Spiritual Songs, ©2013 Westminster John Knox Press, #718.