The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
REFLECTIONS
The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality, and hope where others have resigned.
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Keep moving. Keep breathing. Stop apologizing and keep on talking.
When you get scared, keep talking anyway. Tell the truth like Sojourner Truth.
Spill all the beans. Let all the cats out of all the bags.
If you are what you eat, you become what you speak.
If you free your tongue, your spirit will follow.
Just keep saying it, Girl, you’ll get whole.
Say it again and again, Girl, you’ll get free.
— Kate Rushin, “To Be Continued. . . . ”
COLLECT
Beggar God, you call us from the roadside to see ourselves in you: let us take heart and come to you, though your road leads to Calvary and absent sun, to love revealed for lightless eyes; through Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Joshua Jalandoon (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 34:1-6
I will bless the Lord always; praise will continually be on my lips!
My soul will boast about God— let the oppressed hear it and be glad!
Glorify the Lord with me, and let us exalt God’s Name together!
I sought God, who answered me and freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to the Lord are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame.
In my desolation I called to the Lord, and the Lord delivered me from all my distress.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
We Will Feast
Sandra McCracken, Josh Moore, © 2015
Our Great God
Mac Powell, Fernando Ortega, © 2002
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; seek refuge in the Lord and you will be satisfied.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Abundant God, so much of our harmful behavior is rooted in our envy of others and fear of scarcity. You have given us our our daily bread but we want more. We have allowed ourselves to be seduced by commercialism, telling ourselves that we are not complete until we have the nicest, the newest… just a bit more. Forgive us when our actions convey that you are not enough for us. Help us to live our lives simply and faithfully, trusting in your steadfast love to provide all that we need. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
John 10:10b
Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” This is the good news!
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
May the Mind of Christ
Kate B. Wilkinson, 1925 | A. Cyril Barham-Gould, 1925
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
Psalm 126
Isaac Wardell, © 2013
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
SCRIPTURE
Ruth 1:14-18, NRSV
Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die— there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Yolanda Norton (she/her)
We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Back Now
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
God of abundance, you have given more than we could ask for. By the power of your Spirit within us, enable us to extend your hospitality and generosity to our neighbors; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
We Are One
Ellie Holcomb, Trillia Newbell & Christa Wells, © 2021
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
Lord of this feast beyond measure and price; we thank you for meeting us in our brokenness so that none might be lost: liberate us now to share bread with our neighbor, each receiving from the other what we need to be ourselves. 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
You are With Me
Sandra McCracken, Lislie Jordan, © 2020
BENEDICTION
May the crucified Christ shatter our brittle fear, draw all people to his glory and make us servants living for the world; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Creator, the Christ and the 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
Jeff Marrs, drums
Jason Muscat, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Minna Choi, vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocals