The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
REFLECTIONS
An important clue to Rebekah’s motives—the prenatal oracle (Genesis 25:22-23)—is often overlooked. In that part of the story, God reveals to Rebekah what Isaac does not know: Jacob, who would be the second born of the twins, is God’s chosen. … The portrayal of Rebekah shows that women in Israel were viewed as persons who could make crucial decisions about their futures, whose prayers were acknowledged, who might know better than men what God designed, and who could apparently take the steps necessary to support God’s plans for the community.
— Mary Jo Bowman
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
— I Cor. 1:27–29
COLLECT
Scandalous God, you suffer our will to power, the narrowness of our faith: lead us on the path of loss where empires tremble and terror yields to wisdom’s cry and the open hands of love; through Jesus Christ, the crucified Lord. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him/his), Worship Leader
Minister: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 8; John 16:13
O Holy Trinity, One God in Three Persons,
we behold in the splendor of creation your majesty and our responsibility.
O Holy Trinity, One God in Three Persons,
we behold in the face of Jesus Christ your divinity and our humanity.
O Holy Trinity, One God in Three Persons,
we behold in the Spirit of truth your glory and our calling. Bound to you forever, we give you thanks and praise!
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Night Has Passed
from the Book of Common Prayer / John Arndt, David Gungor, Eric Marshall, 2016
Come Thou Fount
Robert Robertson, 1758 / Asahel Netleton, 1825
SERVICE OF BAPTISM
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
PREPARATION
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Minister: Do you renounce sin and the power of evil in your life and in the world?
Parents: I renounce them.
Minister: Who is your Lord and Savior?
Parents: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Minister: Will you promise to instruct your child in the truth of God’s Word, in the way of salvation through Jesus Christ; to pray for them, to teach them to pray; and to train them in Christ’s way by your example, through worship, and in the nurture of the church?
Parents: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Minister: Do you promise to love, encourage, and support these brothers and sisters by teaching the gospel of God’s love, by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God’s family in fellowship, prayer, and service?
People: We do.
Minister: Let us affirm our faith together in the words of the Apostles’ creed: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Minister: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Minister: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
BAPTISM
Elena Kathleen Sridhar-Angel, child of Lucia Angel and Nikhil Sridhar
Micah Liang, child of Jeffery and Ashley Liang
DECLARATION, AND WELCOME INTO CHRIST'S CHURCH
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may the Lord grow you strong in Divine grace,
may the Lord fill you with the love of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG
Trinity Song
Sandra McCracken, 2016
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 27:1-18, NRSV
Minna Choi (she/her/hers), Reader
When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called his elder son Esau and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “See, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me. Then prepare for me savory food, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it,
Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me game, and prepare for me savory food to eat, that I may bless you before the Lord before I die.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my word as I command you. Go to the flock, and get me two choice kids, so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he likes; and you shall take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “Look, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a man of smooth skin. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him, and bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my word, and go, get them for me.” So he went and got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savory food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; and she put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she handed the savory food, and the bread that she had prepared, to her son Jacob.
So he went in to his father, and said, “My father”; and he said, “Here I am; who are you, my son?”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Jonathan Gundlach (he/him/his)
Rebekah: Prophet & Holy Trickster
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
Generous God, you have blessed us to be a blessing to others. Use these offerings to bring renewal and hope to our city and our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
The Detour
by Christa Wells, Kelly Needham, Sarah Kroger Quaglia, 2021
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
We are a pilgrim people, accompanied by our God, who journeys beside us, accepting who we are; yet goes before us, beckoning us toward who we might become.
But as we move through our days, other gods call to us, questions confound us, direction blurs, indifference lulls; we lose our way.
So we enter into silence, to discern again the nearness of God, who is our hope and guide.
SILENT PRAYER
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Siblings in Christ, we can trust God at all times, for the Holy One is our refuge and our salvation! So with confidence, let us pour out a shared confession of our hearts.
We confess to You, steadfast God, that we wander from the path of love upon which we are meant to walk. Fears divide us, prejudice hardens us, violence destroys us.
But God eternally beckons.
We turn our hearts again to You, God of grace and mercy. Forgive us love that is self-satisfied, and teach us love that is self- and other-affirming. Forgive us faith that makes us rush to judgment, and give us faith that fills us with compassion. Forgive us peace we have made with our divisions, and unite us in peace that passes understanding. We pray, with thanksgiving, in the name of Christ. Amen.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
By God's mercy, our feet are set again upon the path of faithfulness; our hearts are set again upon the coming of God's peace.
Thanks be to God, our hope and our guide forever!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
We Will Find Our Peace
David Gungor, John Arndt, 2011
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
by Karl Digerness
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION PRAYER
God of Kindness, we have broken your bread and received your life. By the power of your Spirit keep us always in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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.
SONG
Nothing to Fear
Audrey Assad, Isaac Wardell, Paul Zach, 2019
BENEDICTION
May God, the Holy Trinity,
make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every side,
and guide you in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Lucas Chen, cello
Minna Choi, vocals/piano
Karl Digerness, vocals/guitar