Stepping Out in Faith

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 is said 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, you speak to us in a voice unexpected and come to us in ways we do not recognize. Never leaving us to our own devices or defenses, you are the ever-present, all-powerful God. Call us out in faith again and again, until we learn to walk with you in steadfast love and faithfulness, and in peace. In the name of him who comes to us upon the waters, Jesus the Christ. Amen

God of power and love, you are with us in every circumstance of this life.

We thank you for your steadfast faithfulness.

We thank you for the gift of your peace, which comes to us even in

times of chaos and fear, trouble and doubt.

We thank you for your powerful arms of mercy that grasp us when we are

sinking; for your powerful Word that coaxes us even when we are hiding

and afraid.

We ask for your power and love to overwhelm the chaos of the

nations. In every place of war, send your encompassing shalom to

restore and repair all that is torn and broken.

Give us faith and courage to follow Christ so closely that divisions are

dismantled, reconciliation is accomplished, and love casts out all fear.

Increase mutual understanding and a sense of unity with our

neighbors, in our mutual in this community, in this congregation, and

in all of your very good creation.

In our personal relationships, bring healing where there is estrangement

and hurt.

In our relationship to your creation, give us creativity and

perseverance as we work to be faithful, tender stewards of all that you

have so wondrously made.

We entrust to your providence and care all those who suffer; all who are

hiding from you, from others, or even from themselves because of fear or

feelings of unworthiness.

To one struggling with doubt, increase faith. To one enduring

persecution or prejudice, bring freedom. For those caught in the grip

of anxiety and uncertainty, grant the calm rest that your peace alone

gives. And for all who face illness, pain, or even death, we pray for

restoration and wholeness to fill them—in heart, mind, and body.

Gather us up and set us in safety, and we will praise your name. We ask all

things in the name of Jesus Christ, who truly is your Son. Amen.

Gracious God, your word is very near, on our lips and in our hearts. As this Word is read and proclaimed, by the power of your Holy Spirit, make it become in us the word of faith. Then send us in joy to bring this word to others who also need the good news of salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Romans 10:5-15 ⁵ Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹ The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³ For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ¹⁴ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵ And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Matthew 14:22-33 22immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid.” ²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

Where have you stepped out in faith in your life? What was the

result? Where have you been asked to step out but have resisted?

What will it take for you to say yes to God?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING -— Jeanette Williams

Because God cares for all without distinction Rom. and is generous to

all beyond measure, so we, God’s people, are to care for all with

generosity and gladness. We bring our offerings to be used for God’s

good purposes in the church and in the world.

Generous God, we thank you for your call and claim upon our lives. Because there is so much more we can become, and so much more we can do, we pray that our faith will increase; that our practice of generosity will be enlarged; and that our joy in believing will encourage others as we share with them the good news of Jesus Christ; in whose name we pray. Amen.

May the steadfast love and faithfulness of God surround you; the peace of Christ enfold you; and the Holy Spirit encourage you to step out in faith, trusting that the God who has called you is able to keep you from falling and holds you in love. 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.