The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
COLLECT
God of the storm’s still eye: when we are overwhelmed by pressures and demands which cut us off from life, take us to a place apart where we might find again our true heart’s centre, our far horizon, the silence that awaits a world where we can breathe; through Jesus Christ, who brings us near to you. Amen.
GREETING
Rev. Fred Harrell, Worship Leader
Minister: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 148, NRSV
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights!
Praise God, sun and moon; sing praises, all you shining stars!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God commanded and they were created. God established them forever and ever, and fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, all you creatures of the land, sea and sky, you mountains and hills, lightning and wind, forests and vineyards.
Rulers of the earth, leaders of the nations, all the judges of the world!
Let us praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted; God’s majesty transcends heaven and earth.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Great Are you Lord
by David Leonard, Jason Ingram & Leslie Jorden
Build My Life
by Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Matt Redman & Pat Barrett
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Matthew 9:12-13, NRSV
Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God,
we are thankful that your mercy is
higher than the heavens,
wider than our wanderings,
deeper than all our sin.
Forgive our frivolous attitude toward life,
our callousness toward suffering,
our envy of those who have more than we have,
our obsession with creating a life of constant pleasure,
our indifference to the treasures of heaven,
our neglect of your wise and gracious law.
Help us to change our way of life
so that we may desire what is good,
love what you love,
and do what you command,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Colossians 1:13-14, NRSV
God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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
Peace be With You
by Karl Digerness
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 ASSURANCE
I Surrender All
by David Leonard, Jason Ingram & Leslie Jorden
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
Justin Sewell, Reader
Matthew 20:1-16, NRSV
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Mihee Kim-Kort
The Serious Business of Heaven
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
Holy One, bless our offerings and transform them into healing for the wounded, hope for the disheartened, courage for the frightened, and faith for the embittered. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Psalm 34 (Taste & See)
by Joe Rigney & Barnard Shane
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
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 SONG
Flora
by Erin Wang
COMMUNION PRAYER
Fill us, good Lord, with your Spirit of love;
and as you have fed us with the one bread of heaven,
so make us one in heart and mind,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
PASTORAL PRAYER
Rev. Fred Harrell
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
Sing to Jesus
by Fernando Ortega
BENEDICTION
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in your hearts, transform your lives,
and brighten the world.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be upon 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
Keith Watts, vocals and guitar
Minna Choi, vocals and piano
Jason Muscat, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Deszon Claiborne, drums
Travis Andrews, electric guitar