The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
REFLECTIONS
For women who have been silenced, the good news of the gospel comes to them in the form of people and institutions who are willing to listen. It is not enough simply to say that God hears the voices of the marginalized. The church, society, corporate world, and other institutions and structures need to be more intentional about listening to women, not just upper middle class women with MBA’s, but all women. What they say may not be easy to hear, because many women will tell a painful story of exclusion. But there will be truth and gospel when those in power choose to lean in and listen.
— Lyn Japinga,
Preaching the Women of the Old Testament
We can celebrate that the most important story in the Hebrew Bible begins with women determining events. We can still affirm that it begins with God using the weak and lowly to overcome the strong. We can acknowledge that it begins with women who act courageously, defying oppression, and that it begins with women who are life-affirming, women who are wise and resourceful in tough situations. Without these women, there would be no Moses to liberate the Hebrews from bondage.
— Alice Ogden Bellis,
Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes
COLLECT
God of the living law, whose will is to protect the weak and educate our desires: may we learn from you not to dominate or put aside but to give each other dignity and find in you our unity; through Jesus Christ, who makes us one household. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Jay Wilson (he/him/his), Worship Leader
Minister: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Lamentations 1:2–4; 3:22–23
In the midst of war and division, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end.
In the midst of devastation and loss, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end.
In the midst of change and uncertainty, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God!
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
You Keep on Getting Better
Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Kirby Kaple, Majesty Rose, 2019
What a Beautiful Name
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
from Lamentations 1:2–4; 3:22–23
Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that the world suffers because of our sin. We use power against others for our own benefit. We misuse the natural resources of the earth in carelessness and greed. By our habits and apathies, others are subjected to desolation, even despair. Forgive us for making enemies and exiles of those you call us to love and serve. Forgive us for laying waste to the landscape of creation. Forgive us for being complicit in causing others to grieve and to wander without rest. We wait on you, O God. We hope in you. You alone can restore all things, even us. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
I John 3:1, NRSV
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
In Christ, we are loved and forgiven as God’s chosen family.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Peace Be With You
Karl Digerness, 2019
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 OF RENEWAL
Here’s My Heart
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Louie Giglio
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him/his)
SCRIPTURE
Exodus 2:1-10, NRSV
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
Exodus 15:19-21, NRSV
When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
Numbers 12, NRSV
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had indeed married a Cushite woman); and they said, ‘Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?’ And the Lord heard it. ...And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him/his)
Miriam: Silenced Mother of the Women Prophets
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
Gracious God, you are good news for a weary world. You are hope for people in despair, and you are home to exiles. Accept, we pray, the offerings we bring, and use them according to your own purpose and grace. In Christ’s name we ask it. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Abide with Me
Performance by SPELLLING, Amy Foote & Minna Choi, Lyrics by Henry Lyte, Music by Justin Smith, Arrangement by Minna Choi, 2007
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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. 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.
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, 2017
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
Siblings in Christ, since the Lord has fed us at this Table, let us praise God's holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving! Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless God's holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God's benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases.
Who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord, from this time forth forevermore. 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
Great Are You Lord
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Jeslie Jordan, 2012
BENEDICTION
May the steadfast love of God be upon you. May the grace of Christ Jesus be within you. May the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit uphold you, now and forever.
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
Jason Muscat, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Deszon Claiborne, drums
SPELLLING, vocals
Amy Foote, vocals
Minna Choi, vocals