Sunday, September 20

Posted on Sep 19, 2020 in Worship at Home |

Welcome!

Worship at Home for Sunday, September 20

Welcome
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.  I am pastor Beth and I want to invite you to participate with us online at our website and on Facebook. Hope to see you there, now let us worship together!
 
Prelude
Kum Ba Yah arr. Joel Raney
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
Call to Worship
In the beginning was God, creating. Void and chaos, wind and depth, light, night, earth, sea, work, rest. Across time God is, creating. Relationships, covenants, promises, people, movement, identity. And now we are called to be co-creators in what God shall create. Redemption, restoration, salvation, let our worship participate in God’s creation. Amen.
 
Opening Hymn UMH 152 I Sing the Almighty Power of God (vs. 1 & 2)
 
1. I sing the almighty power of God,
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at God’s command,
and all the stars obey.
 
2. I sing the goodness of the Lord,
who filled the earth with food,
who formed the creatures thru the Word,
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,
where’er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky.
 
Prayers of the People: Based on Proverbs 8
God of wisdom, you are the beginning and the ending. Who are we with your creation, with our temporary lives, our momentary understanding, in the face of your eternal being? And yet you call to all who live to learn your prudence, acquire intelligence, discern your truths. Teach us to pay attention with our minds, our hearts, and our lives to what is right before us. God, you teach us knowledge and discretion. You teach us to separate good and evil. Let our lives reflect that learning. Let us be Just in our decisions, noble in our pursuits. Let our lives have integrity, so that in our very living, we might honor you, our creator and author. Let us be a people who rejoice in your world, who delight in your creation. And above all, oh God, teach us to listen for you, listen to you; for we know whoever finds your wisdom, your word, finds life in you. Amen.
 
Prayer Response UMH 393 Spirit of the Living God
 
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Melt me mold me
Fill me use me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
 
Scripture John 1:1-17
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
 
Hymn of Preparation TFWS 2158 Just a Closer Walk with Thee (vs. 1 & 2)
 
1. I am weak, but thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
as I walk, let me walk close to thee.
 
Refrain: Just a closer walk with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
daily walking close to thee:
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
 
2. Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but thee.
 
Refrain
 
Message “Another Way of Seeing”
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Invitation to Offering
The body of Christ is alive and well and Christ Church is engaging in mission and outreach even in this time of physical distancing. There are so many ways we give; through our prayers for each other, our calls to one another, the ministries we engage, and the gifts we offer God and the church. God, we give you thanks for the ways you call us to give, and in this time of offering bless our gifts, our intentions, and all the ministries we offer to you today! Amen.
 
Offertory
Just As I Am
Kathy Ferguson, piano
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen. 
 
Closing Hymn UMH 670 Go Forth for God (vs. 1 & 4)
 
1. Go forth for God; go to the world in peace;
Be of good courage, armed with heavenly grace,
In God’s good Spirit daily to increase,
Till in the kingdom we see face to face.
 
4. Go forth for God; go to the world in joy,
To serve God’s people every day and hour,
And serving Christ, our every gift employ,
Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit’s power.
 
Benediction
And now friends, receive this benediction:
Holy wisdom, there ae many ways of seeing and knowing you. Let us revel with our lives in the diversity of your world. Let us know that in these different ways of seeing things, we are truly blessed, and sent to be a blessing to all. Amen.

Postlude
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow arr. Nielson & Young
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
 
 
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662

Sunday, September 13

Posted on Sep 12, 2020 in Worship at Home |

 
Welcome!
 

Worship at Home for Sunday, September 13

Welcome
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.  I am pastor Beth and I want to invite you to participate with us online at our website, www.ccumtucson.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCUM.Tucson Hope to see you there, now let us worship together!
 
Prelude
Old-Fashioned Medley arr. Owen Griffen
Janet Tolman, Organ and Kathy Ferguson, Piano
 
Call to worship
What if…what if it all begins with seeing you? Not just in the wonder of creation, or the blessings of each day, but seeing you in the face looking out at us from the mirror, the eyes we pass on the street, the people we see on the news, the bully, the hero, the worker, the nameless? What if in seeing one another, we really saw you? We really saw your work. What might happen if we see you looking out at us in all we meet? Transform our vision oh God, so that we might meet you in the space between.

Opening Hymn UMH 75 All People That on Earth Do Dwell (vs. 1, 2, 3)
 
1. All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
come ye before him and rejoice.
 
2. Know that the Lord is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
 
3. O enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
 
Prayers of the People: Psalm 8
O LORD, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Prayer Response UMH 395 Take Time to Be Holy (vs. 1)
 
1. Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God’s children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.
 
Scripture: Mark 3:1-6
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
 
Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
 
And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
 
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
 
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.
 
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
 
Hymn of preparation UMH 451 Be Thou My Vision (vs. 1 & 2)
 
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art–
thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
 
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
 
Message: The Space Between
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Invitation to Offering
The body of Christ is alive and well and Christ Church is engaging in mission and outreach even in this time of physical distancing. There are so many ways we give; through our prayers for each other, our calls to one another, the ministries we engage, and the gifts we offer God and the church. God, we give you thanks for the ways you call us to give, and in this time of offering bless our gifts, our intentions, and all the ministries we offer to you today! Amen.
 
Offertory
My Tribute by Andre Crouch
Tom Messmore, solo
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.   Amen. 
 
Closing Hymn UMH 666 Shalom to You
 
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
 
Benediction
God your breath of life fills our lungs, we are formed in your image, and we are given care of your garden. As we make our way this week down the paths of life, remind us that we are your hands, your feet, your heart, your hope and in the space between us lives the universe of your love, let us live in that space. Amen.

Postlude
Toccata on LEONI by Gordon Young
 

Sunday, September 6

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 in Worship at Home |

Welcome!

Worship at Home for Sunday, September 6

Announcements
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.  I am Pastor Beth, and I want to invite you to participate with us online at our website, www.ccumtucson.org, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCUM.Tucson.

Prelude
Madrigal by Philippe Gaubert
Christine Harper, flute
 
Call to Worship
In the beginning was God, creating. Void and chaos, wind and depth, light, night, earth, sea, work, rest. Across time God is, creating. Relationships, covenants, promises, people, movement, identity. And now we are called to be co-creators in what God shall create. Redemption, restoration, salvation, let our worship participate in God’s creation. Amen.
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 92 For the Beauty of the Earth (vs. 1 & 5)
 
1. For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
 
Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
5. For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love; (Refrain)
 
Prayers of the People (Adapted from Psalm 19)
The heavens are singing the glory of God in all creation we see God’s handiwork. Creation is the wordless Word testifying ‘God is, God forever shall be’. And we are the ones who walk and work the earth sharing in the Word, sharing words, words to revive the soul. Wisdom that opens the heart. Invitation that welcomes all. A rule that is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey for it heals and forgives and encompasses so that all are part of that starting and resounding call from the babes in arms to those whose years are great, glory to God! And it is here God, in searching, in the striving, in the seeking, that your glory whispers back to us the challenge of faith “may the words of your mouth, and the meditations of your heart, be acceptable to Me, the Lord, your rock and your redeemer.” Amen.
 
Prayer Response UMH 405 Seek Ye First (vs. 1 & 2)
 
1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!
 
2. Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!
 
Scripture Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 129 Give to the Winds Thy Fears (vs. 1 & 2)
 
1. Give to the winds thy fears;
hope and be undismayed.
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,
God shall lift up thy head.
 
2. Through waves and clouds and storms,
God gently clears thy way;
wait thou God’s time; so shall this night
soon end in joyous day.
 
Message “Celebrating What Was, And Is, And Shall Be” 
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Invitation to Offering
The body of Christ is alive and well and Christ Church is engaging in mission and outreach even in this time of physical distancing. There are so many ways we give; through our prayers for each other, our calls to one another, the ministries we engage, and the gifts we offer God and the church. God, we give you thanks for the ways you call us to give, and in this time of offering bless our gifts, our intentions, and all the ministries we offer to you today! Amen.
 
Offertory 
Safe Within Your Arms by Mark Hayes
Paula Jameson, solo
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 
 
Sending Hymn UMH 130 God Will Take Care of You (vs. 1 & 3)
 
1. Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
 
Refrain: God will take care of you,
through every day, o’er all the way;
he will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
 
3. All you may need he will provide,
God will take care of you;
nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you. (Refrain)
 
Benediction 
God of all creation, we stand at the meeting place of past and future, knowing that the gift of now – is the present, let us participate in this unfolding promise as we walk the road of faith together, amen.

Postlude 
Vivace (from Sonata No. 1 in F Major) by G.P. Telemann
Christine Harper, flute
 
 
 
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662

Sunday August 30

Posted on Aug 29, 2020 in Worship at Home |

Welcome!

Worship at Home for Sunday, August 30

Announcements
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.  I am Pastor Beth, and I want to invite you to participate with us online at our website, www.ccumtucson.org, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCUM.Tucson.

Prelude
Grace arr. Mark Hayes
Grant Lange, vocal & trumpet
 
Call to Worship
An adventure has begun; we are invited to walk together!
Our story is one of wandering in wild hope and pondering potent promise on this walk together.
God’s salvation meets us in Christ as we learn to walk together.
So let us together walk this road for the spirit calls us to adventure.
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 154 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (vs. 1 & 6)
 
1. All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
 
6. O that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all.
 
Prayers of the People
O God, we enjoy your company, as we walk together. Break open our ways of knowing and give us the gift of revelation so that we recognize you when you appear before us, suddenly, unexpectedly, in quiet moments of questioning, in conversation with others, in learning, in sharing a meal together, and when you meet us in all your glory.
 
Jesus Christ, stay with us in every part of our journey no matter how full of doubt or fear we may be, no matter the terrain of grief that unfolds in our hearts, be our comforting companion teaching compassion, leading in love, guiding us toward one another.
 
Through your Holy Spirit, we pray that you will open our eyes, our hearts, and our lives to see you as our risen Savior in all your beauty, in all your possibility, in all your world changing power. Amen.
 
Hymn of Prayer TFWS 2086 Open Our Eyes
 
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
 
Scripture Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”

Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 454 Open My Eyes, That I May See (vs. 1 & 3)
 
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
 
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
 
Message “The Spiritual Value of Wandering” 
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Our Gifts and Offerings
The body of Christ is alive and well and Christ Church is engaging in mission and outreach even in this time of physical distancing. There are so many ways we give; through our prayers for each other, our calls to one another, the ministries we engage, and the gifts we offer God and the church. God, we give you thanks for the ways you call us to give, and in this time of offering bless our gifts, our intentions, and all the ministries we offer to you today! Amen.
 
Offertory 
Swing Low arr. Dick Anthony
Grant Lange, trumpet
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.   Amen. 
   
Sending Hymn TFWS 2196 We Walk by Faith (vs. 1, 2, 3)

1. We walk by faith, and not by sight;
with gracious words we hear
of him who spoke as none e’er spoke,
but we believe him near.
 
2. We may not touch his hands and side,
nor follow where he trod;
yet in his promise we rejoice,
and cry, “My Lord and God!”
 
3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief,
and may our faith abound;
to call on you when you are near,
and seek where you are found: 
 
Benediction 
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make is his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen. 

Postlude 
Fowler’s March by William P. Rownan
 
 
 
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662
 

Sunday, August 23

Posted on Aug 22, 2020 in Worship at Home |

 
Welcome!
 

Worship at Home for Sunday, August 23

Announcements
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.  I am pastor Beth and I want to invite you to participate with us online at our website, www.ccumtucson.org, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCUM.Tucson.

Prelude
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want  by Gordon Young
 
Call to Worship
There are times we walk through the valley
When it feels like night, and there is no light
There are times when we walk through the valley
When all landmarks disappear, and we are faced with fear
There are times when we walk through the valley
And in those times especially, God, we know you are here
You are with us when we walk through the valley.
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 126 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (vs. 1 and 3)
 
1. Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.
 
3. Thus all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud thy praises,
that earth may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.
 
Prayers of the People
Shepherding God, of all creation, you care for all my needs, restoring my soul, my heart, so that I am whole. Hear these prayers and praises.

God our Shepherd, hear our Prayer.

Jesus our host, you welcome all to your table, preparing a feast for each, so that even enemies might sit and eat together from your abundance. Teach us to be a people of overflowing hospitality, sharing with all what you have given.

God our Shepherd, hear our Prayer.

Ever Sending Spirit, move us from places of comfort to places where we may offer comfort, send us to heal, bring peace, and teach others the grace you have taught us.

God our Shepherd, hear our Prayer.

Gracious God, surely goodness and mercy shall mark the paths You send us along, and the works You give us to do, so that all may know that we dwell in Your house, always. Amen.
 
Scripture Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 381 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (vs. 1 and 3)

1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
 
3. Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee.

Message “Navigating in the Dark” 
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Our Gifts and Offerings
The body of Christ is alive and well and Christ Church is engaging in mission and outreach even in this time of physical distancing. There are so many ways we give; through our prayers for each other, our calls to one another, the ministries we engage, and the gifts we offer God and the church. God, we give you thanks for the ways you call us to give, and in this time of offering bless our gifts, our intentions, and all the ministries we offer to you today! Amen.
 
Offertory 
The Lord’s My Shepherd arr. Stephen Neilson
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 
 
Sending Hymn UMH 174 His Name is Wonderful
 
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful
His name is Wonderful , Jesus my Lord
He is the mighty King, Master of ev’rything
His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
He’s the Great Shepherd, The rock of all ages
Almighty God is He, Bow down before Him
Love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord
 
Benediction 
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make is his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. 

Postlude 
How Firm a Foundation by Dale Wood
 
 
 
 
 
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662

Sunday, August 16

Posted on Aug 15, 2020 in Worship at Home |

 
Welcome!
 

Worship at Home for Sunday, August 16

Announcements
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona. I am pastor Beth and if you are joining us for the first time, I hope you will take a moment to let us know who you are and where you are joining us from. If you are watching us with YouTube take a moment to visit our website at ccumtucson.org and click the welcome button on the home screen and say hello! If you are watching us on our website, take a moment to click the welcome button below this video. Also, if you are looking for a way to go deeper with this message and journey further, join us at ccumtucson.org/interact/

Prelude
My Faith Looks Up to Thee arr. Linda McKechnie
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
Greeting
As we begin this time together take a time to prepare your space to encounter God both within and around you. And now, let us worship together by joining together sing or enjoy listening to our opening hymn I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath!
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 60 I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath (vs 1 and 3)
 
1. I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath;
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
while life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.
 
3. The Lord pours eyesight on the blind;
the Lord supports the fainting mind
and sends the laboring conscience peace.
God helps the stranger in distress,
the widow and the fatherless,
and grants the prisoner sweet release.
 
Collect
God along the way:
Day by day we meet you,
In each other we greet you,
Through our acts we treat you,
By our lives we seek you,
God, guide us all along the way.

Call to Prayer Hymn  UHM 358 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Rest (vs. 4)
 
4. Drop thy still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace.

Prayers of the People
God of Moses, we are a people who know the promised land and a people who know the wandering way. Our prayers and praises shape our landscape, we map out our hearts before you, hear us in our prayers.
 
Take a time to offer God your praises and joys. 
 
God our Guide, hear our prayers. 

Jesus mapmaker of our hearts, you always charted new ways to meet people in need, refreshed old routs of righteousness, guide us to comfort and compassion as we raise these prayers for others.
 
Take a time to offer God concerns and prayer requests for any in need and suffering. 
 
God our Guide, hear our prayers. 

Holy Spirit, unbound from all known paths and roads, you call and lead us to people and places we cannot imagine, we offer to you these prayers for the billions of others only you know, that we may be like you – an Advocate for any in need.

Take a time to offer God prayers for our communities, cities, nations, neighbors, and world, then take time to listen to what God offers back to you. 
 
God our Guide, hear our prayers. 

Blessed Trinity, guide us now in these times of confusion and uncertainty, remind us of those who have wandered before us, so that we might wonder in faith and respond to your leading. Amen.

Scripture Deuteronomy 10:10-22

I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. And once again the Lord listened to me. The Lord was unwilling to destroy you. The Lord said to me, “Get up, go on your journey at the head of the people, that they may go in and occupy the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
 
So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. Although heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth with all that is in it, yet the Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples, as it is today. Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in heaven.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 140 Great Is Thy Faithfulness (vs. 1 and 3)

1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. Great Is thy faithfulness! 

Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
 
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
 
Refrain
 
 
Message “X Marks the Spot” 
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
 
Offering Invitation
God, even in our wandering you have set a path before us and said – be not afraid! Remind us what it means to explore generosity with the same steadfast faith that you have shown us in throughout the ages. Let us give as you guide us. Amen.

Offertory 
Lord, Here Am I Beck/ Sikes
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen. 
 
Sending Hymn UMH 571 Go, Make of All Disciples (vs. 1, 3, and 4)

1. “Go, make of all disciples.” We hear the call O Lord, that comes from thee, our Father, in thy eternal Word. Inspire our ways of learning through earnest, fervent prayers, and let our daily living reveal thee everywhere.
 
3. “Go, make of all disciples.” We at thy feet would stay until each life’s vocation accents thy holy way. We cultivate the nature God plants in every heart, revealing in our witness the master teacher’s art.
 
4. “Go, make of all disciples.” We welcome thy command. “Lo, I am with you always.” We take thy guiding hand. The task looms large before us; we follow without fear, in heaven and earth thy power shall bring God’s kingdom here.

Benediction 
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make is his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen. 

Postlude 
How Majestic Is Your Name Smith/Bock
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
 
 
 
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662
 

Sunday August 9

Posted on Aug 8, 2020 in Worship at Home |

 
Welcome!
 

Worship at Home for Sunday, August 9

Announcements
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona. I am pastor Beth and if you are joining us for the first time, I hope you will take a moment to let us know who you are and where you are joining us from. If you are watching us with YouTube take a moment to visit our website at ccumtucson.org and click the welcome button on the home screen and say hello! If you are watching us on our website, take a moment to click the welcome button below this video.
 
Prelude
 
Greeting
As we begin this time together take a moment to prepare space to encounter God both within and around you. And now, let us worship together by joining together sing or enjoy listening to our opening hymn Ye Servants of God!
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 181 Ye Servants of God (vs. 1, 2, and 4)
 
1. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all victorious of Jesus extol,
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
 
2. God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
And still he is nigh, his presence we have,
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.
 
4. Then let us adore and give him his right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might;
All honor and blessing with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing and infinite love.
 
Collect
God of prophecy and promise, your Presence has assured your people from our first days exiled beyond your garden, to these recent days of COVID-19. Remind us that you are with us and that in this world of temporary support and momentary promises your assurance is eternal, your support is everlasting. Amen
 
Call to Prayer Hymn UHM 328 Surely the Presence of the Lord
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
 
Prayers of the People
Maker of all, there is too much in this world that is taken for granted, too much hoarded for too few, too little given to care for all. Make us aware of your gifts that we might be a people of praise, a people of sharing, a people of care.

Take a time to offer God your praises and joys.

God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
Jesus our healer, you walked the paths of life declaring freedom, sight, movement, community, and restoration. Form us as your people, who walk in your footsteps declaring God’s Good News.

Take a time to offer God concerns and prayer requests for any in need and suffering.

God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
Holy Advocate, you come and go as the wind sweeping the unjust away, toppling towers of oppression, bringing fresh insight, and cooling peace. Breeze through our lives so that we might be refreshed for the work God has called us to.

Take a time to offer God prayers for our communities, cities, nations, neighbors, and world, then take time to listen to what God offers back to you.

God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
Divine Mystery, we know you as love, justice, peace, and compassion. Let us be known as your people following your Way into a world redeemed by hope. Amen.
 
Scripture Isaiah 2:1-4, 32
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
 
See, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a covert from the tempest, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Then the eyes of those who have sight will not be closed, and the ears of those who have hearing will listen. The minds of the rash will have good judgment, and the tongues of stammerers will speak readily and distinctly. A fool will no longer be called noble, nor a villain said to be honorable. For fools speak folly, and their minds plot iniquity: to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the Lord, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. The villainies of villains are evil; they devise wicked devices to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right. But those who are noble plan noble things, and by noble things they stand.

Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, listen to my speech. In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent ones; for the vintage will fail, the fruit harvest will not come. Tremble, you women who are at ease, shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and put sackcloth on your loins. Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine, for the soil of my people growing up in thorns and briers; yes, for all the joyous houses in the jubilant city. For the palace will be forsaken, the populous city deserted; the hill and the watchtower will become dens forever, the joy of wild asses, a pasture for flocks; until a spirit from on high is poured out on us, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. The forest will disappear completely, and the city will be utterly laid low. Happy will you be who sow beside every stream, who let the ox and the donkey range freely.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 435 O God of Every Nation vs. 1, 2, and 4

O God of every nation, of every race and land,
redeem your whole creation with your almighty hand;
where hate and fear divide us, and bitter threats are hurled,
in love and mercy guide us, and heal our strife torn world.
 
From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right,
From trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night,
From pride of race and station and blindness to your way,
Deliver every nation, eternal God, we pray.
 
Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease,
When hatred and division give way to love and peace,
Till dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign,
And Christ shall rule victorious o’er all the worlds domain.
 
Message “From No Where to Know Here”
 
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Offering Invitation
God you restore the wilderness and give hope to the city, you take the no wheres of our experience into the know heres of your wisdom. You turn hearts from lost to found, from despair to hope, so that indeed the swords of our causes might become the plowshares of your kingdom. Use our gifts to build up and heal, reorient our lives, so that we be a people who “know you here” always. Amen.
 
Offertory
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sending Hymn UMH 334 Sweet, Sweet Spirit

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove, stay right here with us, filling us with your love;
And for these blessings we lift our heart in praise;
without a doubt we’ll know
that we have been revived
when we shall leave this place.

Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make is his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
 
Postlude
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662

Sunday, August 2

Posted on Aug 1, 2020 in Worship at Home |

 
Welcome!
 

Worship at Home for Sunday, August 2

Prelude
Little Suite on CWM Rhondda (“Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah” ) by Janet P. Tolman
 
Greeting
Welcome to worship with Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona. I am Pastor Beth, and, if you are joining us for the first time, I hope you will take a moment to let us know who you are and where you are joining us from. If you are watching us with YouTube take a moment to visit our website at ccumtucson.org and click the welcome button on the home screen and say hello! If you are watching us on our website take a moment to click the welcome button below this video. As we begin this time together take a moment to prepare space to encounter God both within and around you. And now, let us worship together, join in singing or enjoy listening to our opening hymn Praise my Soul our King in Heaven!
 
Opening Hymn UMH 66 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (vs. 1 and 3)
 
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven, to the throne thy tribute bring; ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, ever more God’s praises sing. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.
 
Father like, God tends and spares us; well our feeble frame God knows; motherlike, God gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet God’s mercy flows.
 
Call to Worship
Welcoming God, you throw open your divine heart to meet us wherever we are, whoever we are, how-ever we are. No matter how lost we feel, we are never far from you. You are the shepherd who seeks us tirelessly, the person who treasures us beyond price, the father who welcomes us unconditionally, you are the One who is with us. Guide us in our own lives that we might come to ourselves and know the way forward as children welcomed, blessed, loved, and found by you. Amen.
 
Call to Prayer Hymn TFWS 2158 Just a Closer Walk with Thee (vs. 1 and 2)
 
I am weak, but thou art strong Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee. Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea, daily walking close to thee: Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee. Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea, daily walking close to thee: Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. 

Prayers of the People
Prayer is a journey of being lost and being found with God, it is a journey of faith that takes through the familiar and unfamiliar places of our lives. Welcome to the Journey – let us pray
We have heard it said that You are the great Shepherd, and we are your flock, tend us God so that we might be able to tend one another, hear in this time our own joys and concerns.
 
Take a time to offer God your joys and concerns.
 
God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
We have heard it said that there is nowhere one can go apart from your presence, that nothing can divide us from your love, and yet we are a people painfully divided. In our loss, in our pain, in our anger, in our jealousy, in our despair, in our prejudice, in our ignorance, in our fear we are divided from that peace that surpasses all understanding, but you make a way where there is no way, so clear a path for us and those we lift up to you so that we might find that peace and abide with you.

Take a time to offer God anything that is dividing you, those you know, and those you love from God’s peace.

God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
We have heard it said that the kingdom is like a banquet where all are welcomed and all feast together in joy and harmony, yet we occupy a world filled with barriers and walls where famine ravages our hearts and bodies, and pestilence destroys hoped for possibilities. Hear the cry of your people, comfort this world, work your wholeness into all life.

Take a time to offer God prayers for our communities, our cities, our nations, our neighbors, our world, then take time to listen to what God offers back to you.
 
God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
You say unto us “Blessed are you, my child with whom I am well please…be not afraid…my peace I give to you…love as I have loved you” give us hearts to hear your voice, know your word, and live into your life with and for us. Amen.
 
Scripture Luke 15:1-24
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
 
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 400 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.
 
Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
 
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
 
 
Message “Epically Lost”
 
 
Pastor Beth Ramibkur
 
Offering Invitation
God who leaps for joy for what was lost, you have found, teach us that same extravagant joy, that same persistent searching, your same hopeful being so that we might welcome the lost parts of ourselves, those lost parts of our community, the lost parts of our world, unconditionally with open arms and feasting. Teach us to know that what was lost has been found. Amen.
 
Offertory
Great Is the Lord by Michael W. & Deborah D. Smith
Paula Jameson, solo
 
Lord’s Prayer
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
 
Sending Hymn UMH 381 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (vs 1 and 3)
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy fold prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are.

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be, thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee.
 
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make is his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
 
Postlude
God of Grace by Paul Manz
 
CVLI #03793174
CCLI #1239
3PerforMusic #662

Sunday, July 26

Posted on Jul 25, 2020 in Worship at Home |

Worship at Home for Sunday, July 26

Greeting
Welcome to worship, a time set aside to be with God in reflection, in praise and prayer, in thought and deed. Take a moment as we begin together to prepare space within you and around you. Prepare to encounter the unexpected, to discover the miraculous, to celebrate the everyday – for God meets us in surprising places all along our way.
 
Prelude Variations on O WALY, WALY arr. Janet Linker
 
Call to Worship
God who holds together the seen and the unseen universe, we see your handiwork in everything from the smallest particle to the swirling galaxies. Teach us to treasure the gifts you give, let us learn the wisdom you whisper, inspire us to find entrances to holiness everywhere. Open our hearts, our minds, and our lives to the work of your kingdom. Amen.
 
Hymn of Praise UMH 451 Be Thou My Vision (vs. 1)
 
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
 
Prayers of the People
Gracious God, you have given us a beautiful garden and planted us in it so that we may grow and thrive in your grace and love. We have much to celebrate and at this time we lift the praises of our hearts to you!
Take a time to offer God your joys and praises.
God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
Holy Comforter, you know the depth and breadth of all that tears at our souls and breaks our hearts, we need your tender comfort, your healing presence, more than ever.
Take a time to offer God your concerns and worries.
God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
Compassionate Teacher, the world needs your wisdom, your justice, your peace. Open our ears to hear the call of your people, open our spirits to respond with your love, open our imaginations to the possibilities of your kingdom.
Take a time to offer God prayers for our communities, our cities, our nations, our neighbors, our world, then take time to listen to what God offers back to you.
God of Grace, hear our prayers.
 
One Known in Three, you are the treasure we find in the field, the seed that sprouts into that miraculous tree of life. Let us be courageous in our living, encouraging and encouraged with our lives, and continuously renewed in your life-giving love. Amen.
 
Hymn of Preparation UMH 451 Be Thou My Vision (vs 2)
 
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
 
Scripture Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 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.” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
 
“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. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 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.”
 
Hymn of Acclamation UMH 451 Be Thou My Vision (vs 3)
 
Great God of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heat of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
 
 
 
Message “The Smallest of Things”
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Offering Invitation
God of Abundance and Surprises, you are the treasure we find, you are the yeast of our lives, you are the one who fills our nets to bursting. Life is filled with the unexpected so train our vision to find you. Let our giving reflect your grace. Amen.
 
Offertory Precious Lord, Take My Hand arr. Fred Bock
 
Prayer of Dedication (UMH 10-11)
And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
 
Benediction
Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer; Let the worshipful work of this week begin. Bless us Your church, all Your child, the world Your good creation. Amen.
 
Postlude Toccata Flor Peeters

Sunday, July 19

Posted on Jul 18, 2020 in Worship at Home |

Worship at Home for Sunday, July 19

Greeting
Welcome. God is here. You are here. The Communion of Saints is here. Take a moment to create space physically and spiritually for this time of worship. Take a moment to give thanks to God for all that has been a blessing to you this week. Take a moment to offer up to God all that has been painful this week. And now, take a moment to simply be still and know, whatever it is God needs you to know in this moment, know and be. Amen.
 
Prelude
Holy, Holy, Holy arr. John Innes
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
Opening
Eternal Redeemer, in the words of the prophet Isaiah You declare:
 
44:6b I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 44:7 Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. 44:8 Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.
 
Teach us this fear-less-ness, that we might be bold in our faith reach out with our lives. Mold us into your hands and feet, instruments of your peace, compassion, and welcome, so that all may meet You in what we do. Amen.
 
Call to Prayer: Sweet Hour of Prayer (vs. 1), UMH #496
 
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father’s throne,
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return sweet hour of prayer.
 
Prayers of the People (Based on Psalm 139)
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me,” You know the prayers my heart, and the needs of Your people. I offer to You these prayers for my friends and family.
 
Take a moment to pray for friends, family, and loved ones.
 
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Or Where can I flee from your presence?” Hear my prayers for the community at Christ Church seeking Your comfort, Your healing, Your presence. Be with us.
 
Take a moment to pray for our community at Christ Church, and our community served by Christ Church.
 
“If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, your right hand shall hold me fast.” You know our city, our state, our nation, you know our world, pour out Your peace, Your wholeness, Your compassion on those in need this day.
 
Take a moment to pray for our communities, state, nation, and those concerns you hold in your heart for the world.
 
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night.’, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Empower me to serve as Your hands and feet and to love and forgive with the courage of Your heart, so that I may be part of your light in this world.
 
Take a moment to name some intentions for your faith Journey this week and ask God for what you need to fulfill those intentions.
 
Mysterious Trinity, I am only one, and in You I am part of the great community of faith, bound together by grace, upheld by love, thoroughly forgiven, fully accepted and welcomed as part of Your blessed community. “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me..Search me O God, and know my heart;” so that I might be about your work this week. Amen.
 
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
 
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
 
 
Message: “Of Weeds and Wheat”
 
Rev. Beth Rambikur
 
Offering Invitation
God of Love. We live in a complex world where many things grow together, you call us all to grow in the likeness of You, to facilitate kingdom work in all that we do. Allow us to see the world with Your grace, to see Your potential in all life, and to share hope with one another as generously as we can. Let the work of your church reflect Your love for all, and use our offerings, our lives, and ourselves, to flourish Your kingdom here and now. Amen.
 
Offertory
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place arr. John Innes
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ
 
Prayer of Dedication (UMH 10-11)
And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
 
Benediction
Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer; Let the worshipful work of this week begin.
Bless us Your church, all Your child, the world Your good creation. Amen.
 
Postlude
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee arr. John Innes
Kathy Ferguson, piano; Janet Tolman, organ

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