Woman, great is your faith!

August 16, 2020
General
9:30 AM Worship

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Service of Worship

Nocturne in E minor Op.72
Frederic Chopin | Arr. Lani Smith

Opening Prayer
Holy God, Creator of Life,
you call us out of our dark places,
offering us the grace of new life.
When we see nothing but hopelessness,
you surprise us with the breath of your spirit.
Call us out of our complacency and routines,
set us free from our self-imposed bonds,
and fill us with your spirit of life, compassion, and peace,
In the name of Jesus, your anointed one, we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn — #568 Christ For The World We Sing

1. Christ for the world we sing
The world to Christ we bring
With loving zeal
The poor and them that mourn
The faint and overborne
Sin sick and sorrow worn
For Christ to heal

2. Christ for the world we sing
The world to Christ we bring
With fervent prayer
The wayward and the lost
By restless passions tossed
Redeemed at countless cost
From dark despair

3. Christ for the world we sing
The world to Christ we bring
With one accord
With us the work to share
With us reproach to dare
With us the cross to bear
For Christ our Lord

4. Christ for the world we sing
The world to Christ we bring
With joyful song
The new-born souls whose days
Reclaimed from error’s ways
Inspired with hope and praise
To Christ belong

Christ For The World We Sing
Samuel Wolcott
© Public Domain

Scripture Reading – Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Children’s Time with Ms Becky

Pastoral Prayer

God of the foreigner and outcast,
your arms reach out to embrace
all those who call upon you.
Teach us as disciples of Christ
to so love the world
that your name may be known
throughout the earth.
You restore what is lost,
heal what is wounded,
and gather in those who have been rejected.
Give us the faith
to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman,
that the outcast may be welcomed
and all people may be blessed.
Lord God, you are a friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the church and the world.
Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – Barry and Leah

Down To The River To Pray
Traditional
© Public Doman

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Loving God, your grace provides us with secure shelter even amid our times of doubt and despair. Our lives periodically seem adrift from the refuge of your unwavering love. Lift us from the depths of selfishness and greed. Restore our hope and help us to find contentment in you so that we may offer these financial gifts as devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. In his name, we pray. Amen.

Sermon – Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez
Woman, great is your faith!

Closing Hymn — #428 For The Healing Of The Nations

1. For the healing of the nations
Lord we pray with one accord
For a just and equal sharing
Of the things that earth affords
To a life of love in action
Help us rise and pledge our word

2. Lead us forward into freedom
From despair Your world release
That redeemed from war and hatred
All may come and go in peace
Show us how through care and goodness
Fear will die and hope increase

3. All that kills abundant living
Let it from the earth be banned
Pride of status race or schooling
Dogmas that obscure Your plan
In our common quest for justice
May we hallow life’s brief span

4. You Creator-God have written
Your great name on humankind
For our growing in Your likeness
Bring the life of Christ to mind
That by our response and service
Earth its destiny may find

Benediction

Postlude – Hani