CALL TO WORSHIP (Ministers Annual Manual, June 12, 2014)

Leader: Come into the presence of the God of surprise and wonder.

People: Remember the surprising and wondrous works of God that establish our hope.

Leader: Come, knowing that even in hopeless situations, we may trust in God.

People: Come, trusting in the one who is our hope, who is our life.

*HYMN “O Worship the King, All Glorious Above” #476

CALL TO CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p. 52) 1 John 1:8, 9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Ministers Annual Manual, June 12, 2014, Adapted)

Almighty God, though we are in this place of hope, hope may not be in us in this moment. Or, at least, for the moment, we do not feel hope an abundance of hope. We confess that the world confounds our senses at times, and our judgment is clouded in the face of the Covid -19 Pandemic that continues to swirl around us. Free us, in this hour, of our cravings and indulgences, and cause us to discover the joy of being children in the house of blessedness. Stir within us the hope that comes from knowing ourselves forgiven by you, loved by you, graced by you. May we immerse ourselves in hope that is always deeper and wider than we know or able to understand. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Book of Common Worship, pps. 56-57) Rom. 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:17

Leader: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for

us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in

Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are

forgiven and be at peace.

People: Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #579

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen, amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord of light who shines into our lives with your holy word. Open our minds and our hearts that your Word may speak to us and your Holy Spirit may inspire us to be your people, today and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Genesis 48: 8-22

*HYMN “Open My Eyes That I May See” #324

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Romans 8: 18-25

SERMON: “What’s the Spirit Doing?” Rev. David McDonald

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his

only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the

third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the

dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the

forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*”catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN “Breathe on Me, Breathe of God” #316

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. “ Rom. 15:13

Announcements

The session has voted not to have in person worship during the month of July. Prayers for us all as we continue to be the church though apart from one another.

This is our month to provide individually wrapped snacks for the Angel House Life Care Center.

The food item for the Bladen Crisis Center is canned meat.

Information for the August newsletter needs to be in the office by Thursday morning the July 23^rd.

Let us continue to remember those on our Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush, Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson, Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan,

John and Mary Ward, Tim Tart, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson,

Johnny Gooden, Carlos Smith, Bill Marsh Madeline NcNeill Long

Shannon Wilcox, Kathy Lashley Esther Collier Clara Wooten Hunsucker

Ernest Ray Long Jo Campbell, Linda Smith Susan and David Butler

Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram Ted Johnson Bill Greene Jamie Clark, Judy Elkins Allison Ward Richard Bridgers

Tim Crowder, Jimmy Hickman Holly Eppley, Betty Faircloth,

Joan McKeithan, Elizabeth Hall Susan Deans Rosalyn White

Carey King, Ray Davis Elnita Chestnut Sammy Hatcher Pat Grainger Ronnel and Ann Burney Tyler and Lauren Lumley Kim Worley Sellers