EBENEZER UNITED
(410)795-6136
Rev. Judith A. Emerson, Pastor
3rd
Sunday after Pentecost
Fourth
of July Weekend
PRELUDE “Be Thou My Vision” arr. by Hopson
LIGHTING THE
CANDLES
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Come with joy and gladness to praise and honor God.
Come to the refreshing waters that God provides.
God is gracious and merciful and full of compassion.
All creation joins us in giving thanks.
Give ear, all people, to the law of God.
Give thanks for all the guidance God gives us.
God upholds all who are falling. God raises us up
when we are bowed down.
Come, all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens.
Come, for Christ has promised rest.
The gentle spirit of Christ invites us.
We have come to find rest for our souls.
*OPENING HYMN "
PRAYER
We come together, gracious God, because we have heard your invitation
and we sense that you alone know the
burdens we carry. You know our weariness and
sometimes our journey seems long and without respite. We long for the refreshment you provide as we come to worship
you. The anticipation of this hour of
rest and nourishment fills us with renewed joy and gladness. We thank you, God, that your
revelation comes to us, not because we are worthy, but because we are open to your word. Open our hearts to
receive all you offer. Amen.
HYMN “Blest Are They” TFWS No.
2155
FROM THE GOSPELS
Matthew
In our Gospel Jesus offers thanks to the
Father in heaven for the revelation God has given, and bids all to come and
find that the yoke of his teaching is easy to bear.
SERMON “Tired of
Being Sick and Tired?”
Rev. Dr. Ann Adams
HYMN “Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Joys and Concerns
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, we do not
understand our own actions. We turn away from the good we are intent
on doing. Yet, we find wisdom in your law. We delight in the idea of mutual caring and celebrating life
together, but we get bogged down in our own concerns.
We are too busy to seek community and too preoccupied to ponder your will for us. We go our own way, cutting
ourselves off from you and one another.
O God, help us to put away this sin. Amen.
THE GIFTS OF THE PEOPLE
Offertory “God
of Our Fathers” William Streaker
*Presentation of Gifts
*Doxology "God
of the Ages" Stanza 1
God of the ages, whose almighty hand,
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the
skies,
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
*Prayer of Dedication
With all the gifts of
creation, you have blessed us, O God. Gratitude is our first impulse for giving. Accept our grateful hearts, along
with our gifts. As you are faithful
to us, O God, may we be faithful in all things, seeking always to live by your gracious will. Amen.
THE
GREAT THANKSGIVING No. 15
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 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 kingdom, and the power, and the
glory forever. Amen.
Breaking the bread
Sharing the Cup
Hymns during communion: #251, #249, #242 (All verses)
Communion Prayer
Eternal
God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have yourself to us. As Christ was made alive in the Spirit, so, too, are we
who follow him. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit,
to give ourselves for others, in the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Our Country
O God, keep our whole country under your protection. Wipe out sin from
this land; lift it up from the depth of sorrow, O Lord, our shining light. Save
us from deep grief and misfortune, Lord of all nations. Bless us with your
wisdom, so that the poor may not be oppressed and the rich may not be oppressors.
Make this a nation having no ruler except God, a nation having no authority but
that of Love. Amen.
*HYMN "This Is My Song"
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
This Week
|
Day |
Event |
Time |
|
Thursday |
Craft day at church Building committee meeting |
|
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
We are trying to
electronically update the records for our cemetery. If you have a deed to one
of the plots in our cemetery or know of someone who does, please contact the
church office so we can update our information regarding deeds and owners. If
you have questions, you may contact Kenny Wean, Chairperson of our Cemetery
Committee or Rev. Judy.
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Beginning Tuesday,
July 5th and continuing through Tuesday, September 6th,
we will have summer office hours for the church. Our Church Secretary will be
in the office on Tuesday and Thursday from
SERVICE-LEARNING HOURS can be earned with Feed My Sheep as a
student volunteer this summer at the Soup Kitchen
at Wesley Freedom
MEN’S RETREAT The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin
board in the Narthex for the men’s retreat this fall. We need a minimum of 12 men
attending to hold the retreat. Sign up today! If you have questions, please see
Buck Scott.