Order of Worship
Opening Announcements — Rev. Johan Dodge
Good Morning and Welcome to Worship!
Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact
with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for
the first time, I say to you what I say every Sunday. You are welcome
here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of
God for God’s Very Good Creation.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Holy God, creator of the universe, author of faith itself, infuse your people with trust so that as you have given life to your people throughout the ages, we too might know the true healing that comes from your steadfast word, through Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying,
Gracious God, hear our prayer. God of all goodness, we give thanks for the newness you give each
of us every day. We thank you for your surprises, for the people you
put in our paths to show us new dimensions of your faithfulness.
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
We give you thanks for all people of faith, for churches everywhere,
for the differing insights into your will offered and proclaimed by many
teachers to guide and refresh your people.
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
We thank you for all nations, for racial and ethnic differences, for the
variety of languages, foods, and lands you have created. Mold us into
people who praise you for the marvels you set before us. Help us not
to fear distinctions but to embrace them as your gifts.
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
Soften us, Lord, so that we are able to enter into others ‘pain. When
we are healthy, make us grateful. When we are in need, help us to
receive the care of others.
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who suffer: for those who have no home, for all
who lack enough food, for people who have no work or work that is
not life-giving, for all who live in fear, and for all who hunger for peace
and do not know where to turn.
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
We pray for all the needs we name now, silently or aloud.... [silence]
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
Fill us, O God, with your power. Make us whole so that we journey
with complete faith. Into your hands we commend all who need our
prayers, trusting in your compassion, through Christ Jesus, our
Savior and Lord.
Amen.
May your word fall into our hearts this day, O God, as breath comes into dust, as water feeds rivers and fields, rich with healing, abundant, alive, and true. Amen.
Romans 4:13-25 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, “| have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” 18While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge
How are you called to be a blessing to this world? How are we called
to be a blessing to this world? How can you be a healing presence in
your home, in your community, and in your church? How can we be a
blessing, a lantern of divine light and love to the larger Leisure World
community?
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING -— Virginia Olejnik
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the
Most High.
Lord of all creation, we offer with thanksgiving what is not ours but what we have received from you. Bless these gifts for the sake of our sisters and brothers in this world. Let your word of abundant life go out into all the lands, bringing food and forgiveness, in Jesus ‘name. Amen.
May the One who gives life to the dead, hope to the desperate, and healing to the brokenhearted call you to walk in the way of faith, sure of God’s endless and life-giving presence. My siblings, turn to your neighbor with aid, for in seeing ourselves as friends to others, we learn anew each day the meaning of our being the body of Christ. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.