Firmament

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 God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

[A time is created between intercessions — please use that time to lift those on your heart this day.]

Faithful God, you are ever mindful of your people and your creation. In your steadfast love, guide us as we pray for the well-being of your church, your world, and your people. Holy and awesome God, we pray for:

Loving God, grant your church understanding and discernment to faithfully carry out your mission in the world. Cause us to walk in wisdom concerning your creation, mindfully stewarding its provision for all living creatures. Holy and awesome God, we pray for: Gracious Lord, give those who govern wise and discerning minds, that your way of justice and compassion may prevail among the communities, cities, counties, states, and countries. Holy and awesome God, we pray for:

Holy One, guide us to provide food for the hungry, hope for the despairing, and wisdom for the wandering. Holy and awesome God, we pray for:

O Great Guide, help us make the most of the time we have, walking in your ways, filled with your spirit, living out your love. Holy and awesome God, we pray for:

Eternal Lord, in your steadfast love, let your wisdom uphold our ancestors in faith, the people in all generations who now rest with you. Holy and awesome God, we pray for:

Amen.

Ever-loving and Eternal God, through the reading of holy Scrpiture, open our hearts and minds and nourish us with your living word. Amen.

¹The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. ²Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. ³There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; ⁴yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, ⁵which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. ⁶Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. ⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lordare sure, making wise the simple; ⁸the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; ⁹the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lordare true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. ¹¹Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. ¹²But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. ¹³Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

²³I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. ²⁴I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. ²⁵I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. ²⁶I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. ²⁷For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. ²⁸Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.

The prophet Jeremiah describes a time of darkness — mourning upon the earth. We know that solar eclipses were often thought to be times of God’s anger in the past — the same with earthquakes and other natural disasters. Today we understand natural disasters through the lens of science rather than God’s wrath. Where else might we need to enlighten our thinking to move away from the ancient understanding of an angry God? Where might a better understanding of our loving God impact how we judge or rather stop judging the world around us?

With joyful hearts, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God. Amen.

Ushers, please come forward]

Receive, O God, the fruit of our labor and with these gifts accept the offering of our lives. Unite us with Jesus that we may share in his mission, live in his way, and in all things glorify you. Amen.

The blessing of God, source of all life; the guidance of Jesus, the way of new life; and the communion of the Spirit, power of life be with you until we meet again. Amen.