# ✝️ Sixth Sunday After Pentecost *Please stand in body or in spirit* ## 🎶 Gathering Song **"This is the Day"** ## 🙋 Unison Welcome > “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here” ## 📢 Announcements - **VBS Starts Today**: July 20–24, 6:00 pm–8:15 pm. Use Lot B. - **Bible Study**: Book of Acts, Chapter 6 — 8:00 pm via Google Meet (link in Friday e-blast). - **Monday, July 21**: - 10:00 am Meditation Group – Parlor Room 104 - **Tuesday, July 22**: - 5:30 pm Yoga – Room 202 - **Sunday, July 27**: - 8:45 am Wired Word Church School – Room 116 - 10:00 am Worship Service – Sanctuary - 3:00 pm Summer’s Singers Concert – Sanctuary ### Pastoral Update - **Pastor Caroline’s Sabbatical** (June 30–August 10). Rev. Peter Emig will cover pastoral care. Jerry Thomason and Ernie Welch will lead worship. She returns August 11. ### Ongoing & Upcoming Opportunities - **Sunday Night Bible Study**: Sundays at 8:00 pm via Google Meet. Continuing through Pastor Caroline’s sabbatical. - **Summer Special Music**: Sign up on choir room door. Contact Gary Crum to participate. - **Beginners Pickleball**: Contact the church office to sign up. Indoor court in Fellowship Hall. - **July First Fruits**: United Way's “Stuff the Bus” school supplies drive. Boxes available starting July 14. - **Monday Book Study**: On hold until Pastor Caroline returns in August. - **Life Talk**: Open chat for concerns or venting. Sunday mornings after worship in the parlor. - **Birthday Balloons**: Celebrate July birthdays at coffee hour on **Sunday, July 27**. - **July/Aug Upper Room**: Devotionals at the Welcome Center. Contact office for mailed copies. ### Save the Dates - **Aug 16**: Paint & Picnic – St. John’s Camp - **Aug 17**: Blessing of the Animals – Outdoor Worship - **Aug 22**: End of Summer Dance – 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall - **Aug 24**: Gratitude Sunday – Pancake Breakfast 8:45 am, Worship at 10:00 am - **Sept 20**: Fall Harvest Tea – Fellowship Hall (Tickets on sale 8/1, public 8/15) - **Sept 28**: Family Fun Day – 11:30 am–1:30 pm after worship - **Oct 5**: Chili Cook Off – Fellowship Hall - **Oct 24–26**: Used Book Sale – Fellowship Hall --- ## 🕊️ Passing of the Peace **Leader:** “The peace of Christ be with you” **People:** “And also with you” ## 🔔 Chiming of the Trinity ## 🎼 Prelude ## 🙏 *Call to Worship* *from *Flames of the Spirit* > God has been acting in our lives and in the world around us this past week. > **We have come for this hour of worship to make ourselves more aware of God and to give thanks for God’s presence with us.** > God is here even now, ready to strengthen us and to urge us to greater faithfulness. > **Fill us with your goodness, O God. Draw us into the orbit of your activity in the world that we might fulfill the purpose for which you created us. Amen.** ## 🎶 Come, Christians, Join to Sing 1. Come, Christians, join to sing, Alleluia! Amen! Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen! Let all, with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice; praise is His gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen! 2. Come, lift your hearts on high; Alleluia! Amen! Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen! Christ is our guide and friend; to us He'll condescend; His love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen! 3. Praise yet our Christ again; Alleluia! Amen! Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen! On heaven's blissful shore His goodness we'll adore, singing forevermore, "Alleluia! Amen!" --- **Words:** Christian H. Bateman, 1843 **Music:** Traditional Spanish melody; harmonized by David Evans, 1927 **Tune:** MADRID (6.6.6.6 D) Harm. © 1927 from the *Revised Church Hymnary*, 1927. Reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. ## ✝️ Call to Confession *from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* > With humble and trusting hearts, let us confess our sins before God and one another. ## 🙇 Prayer of Confession *from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* > Merciful God, we confess that we have been distracted with many things and have not loved you with our whole heart and strength. > **We have not paid attention to your Word.** > We have allowed the poor to be neglected and the weak to be oppressed. > We have been impatient in worship and insincere in our dealings with others. > We have ignored signs of injustice and disregarded warnings of judgment. > **Forgive us, we pray, and teach us repentance.** > Free us from habits of pride, and make us steadfast in faith, that we may live as those who are reconciled with you in Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom we pray. > **Amen.** ## 🎶 Kyrie *Hymnal Companion C-4* ## 🕊️ Assurance of Pardon *from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* > Though we were once estranged, in Jesus Christ we have been reconciled with God. > **Baptized, forgiven, and freed, we are one with the Lord and with each other. Thanks be to God! Amen.** --- ## ✨ *Glory Be to the Father #704* ## 📖 Scripture Reading **Colossians 1:15–28 (NRSVue)** > He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;   > for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.   > He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.   > He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.   > For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,   > and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.   > And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,   > he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him,   > provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a minister of this gospel.   > I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.   > I became its minister according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,   > the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.   > To them God chose to make known how great among the gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.   > It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.   > For this I toil and strive with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. --- ## 🗣️ Responsive Reading **Psalm 15** > Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. > **I say to God, “You are my Sovereign; I have no good apart from you.”** > As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. > **Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.** > God is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. > **The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.** > I bless God who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. > **I keep God always before me; because God is at my side, I shall not be moved.** > Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. > **For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.** > You show me the path of life. > **In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your mighty hand are pleasures forevermore.** --- ## 🧒 Children’s Message *Roxanne Davenport* > *Children’s Corner will be offered following the Children’s Message* ## 📖 Scripture Reading **Luke 10:38–42 (NRSVue)** > Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.   > She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.   > But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.”   > But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;   > **there is need of only one thing**. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” ## **Sermon ### **🗒 Sermon Summary** - The sermon’s central message emphasizes the tension between active service and contemplative discipleship, represented by Martha’s busyness contrasted with Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Jesus commends Mary’s choice as the “better part,” affirming that spiritual attentiveness and learning hold primacy over even urgent, practical tasks. - This focus ties directly to the liturgical or thematic emphasis on discipleship—balancing action and reflection, hospitality and prayer. The preacher situates this passage within Luke’s broader narrative arc, highlighting its placement between the Good Samaritan parable (service to neighbors) and the Lord’s Prayer (spiritual formation), underscoring a holistic view of Christian living. ### **🎙 Preaching Style** - The sermon employs a predominantly **Expository** style, carefully unpacking Luke 10:38–42 with rich contextual and textual analysis. - The preacher incorporates diverse stories from scripture, cultural history, and theological reflection, broadening inclusion by exploring Mary’s countercultural role and Luke’s unique perspective as a non-Jewish author. - A variety of learning accommodations are evident: storytelling and historical background support auditory learners; vivid imagery of cultural customs aids visual learners; reflective questions and implied invitations to consider one’s own discipleship engage kinesthetic learners. ### **🗣 Intonation and Delivery** - The preacher’s vocal delivery uses deliberate emphasis on key phrases (e.g., “Martha, Martha,” “the better part”), creating moments for the congregation to focus on critical theological points. - The tone remains welcoming and respectful, avoiding condemnation of Martha’s service, instead gently elevating Mary’s attentiveness. - Variations in tone and pacing underline contrasts—busy anxiety versus calm learning. While no specific mention of physical gestures or visuals is given, the descriptive language itself functions as an effective visual aid. ### **📝 Content Structure** - The sermon follows a clear, logical structure: opening with Luke’s textual emphasis and background on Martha’s unique double-naming; exploring Luke’s authorship and historical context; analyzing the narrative’s cultural and theological significance; concluding with practical application on discipleship priorities. - Transitions between segments are smooth, guiding the listener naturally from historical context to theological reflection and personal application. - The preacher reinforces learning through repetition of key phrases and themes, and by connecting this passage to adjacent Luke narratives (Good Samaritan, Lord’s Prayer) to create thematic coherence. ### **👥 Engagement and Application** - The sermon engages the congregation by making biblical characters relatable and by drawing connections to present-day challenges balancing work and spiritual growth. - The preacher highlights Mary’s breaking of social norms (a woman sitting at a rabbi’s feet) as an act of courage, implicitly affirming inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups—especially women—in discipleship roles. - Application calls listeners to prioritize “learning the word” and understanding Christ’s teachings as foundational, encouraging reflection on personal discipleship habits. - While reflective engagement is encouraged, explicit interactive elements (group discussion, reflective exercises) are not included but could enhance kinesthetic learning. ### **📖 Scripture Breakdown** - Primary Text: Luke 10:38–42, emphasizing Martha’s distraction and Mary’s attentive posture. - Supporting References: John’s Gospel narratives involving Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, particularly the raising of Lazarus and Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with costly spikenard, reinforcing themes of faith and devotion. - The Good Samaritan parable and Lord’s Prayer from Luke serve as framing scriptures, situating this passage within a thematic triad of service, prayer, and discipleship. - Theologically, these scriptures highlight the tension between action and contemplation, challenge cultural gender norms, and affirm the importance of spiritual attentiveness for all believers. ### Logical Reasoning - **Sound Deductive Reasoning:** - The preacher reasons that Luke’s choice to double-name Martha is deliberate and signals importance (00:02:13–00:03:26). This deduction rests on the premise that biblical authors choose words purposefully. - This strengthens the sermon by focusing attention on this seemingly minor character and narrative, suggesting deeper meaning rather than a trivial family quarrel. - To enhance clarity, the preacher could explicitly define “double-naming” as a literary device and explore its frequency and implications across Luke’s Gospel. - **Strong Inductive Reasoning:** - Based on the absence of Martha in Mark and Matthew and her presence in John’s Gospel, the preacher inductively infers that Luke’s source was likely eyewitness testimony from the family or their associates (00:05:59–00:08:44). - This reasoning draws on patterns of textual comparison and historical context, giving credibility to the story’s authenticity. - This strengthens the sermon by rooting theological reflection in plausible historical foundation. - Suggestion: More explicit acknowledgment of the limits of historical certainty would provide balanced nuance. - **Causal Reasoning:** - The preacher argues that Mary’s choice to sit and listen causes spiritual benefit, as opposed to Martha’s distracted service, which Jesus rebukes (00:08:44–00:14:25). - This cause-effect relationship is central to the sermon’s thesis about prioritizing spiritual attentiveness. - The reasoning is persuasive because it is backed by Jesus’ explicit words in scripture. - To strengthen the argument, the preacher might clarify that service is valuable but should follow spiritual grounding, avoiding a false dilemma between service and contemplation. - **Consistent Analogies:** - The preacher analogizes Mary’s sitting at Jesus’ feet as a radical act breaking gender and cultural norms (00:14:58–00:15:30), akin to a modern marginalized group claiming equal access to leadership and learning. - This analogy enhances understanding by connecting ancient practices to ongoing issues of inclusion. - The analogy is coherent and relevant, reinforcing the sermon's inclusivity theme. - Suggestion: Explicitly link this analogy to contemporary church practices for stronger application. - **Coherent Counterarguments:** - The preacher acknowledges Martha’s valid concerns about hospitality and reputation (00:16:35–00:17:54), implicitly addressing any perception that service is unimportant. - This balanced approach prevents oversimplification and respects multiple viewpoints. - To improve, the preacher could more explicitly articulate common counterarguments (“Some may say service is the highest calling”) before responding to them, sharpening rhetorical clarity. - **Appeal to Facts/Evidence:** - The sermon references biblical scholarship, linguistic notes on Martha’s name in Hebrew and Arabic, and historical customs regarding women’s posture and hair in Jewish culture (00:16:35–00:22:41). - This grounding in external evidence lends credibility and enriches interpretation. - The preacher effectively integrates these details to illuminate the text’s depth. - Suggestion: Citing specific scholars or sources would enhance academic rigor. - **Balanced and Nuanced Views:** - The sermon avoids casting Martha negatively and recognizes the social and cultural pressures she faced, while still valuing Mary’s spiritual focus (00:16:00–00:18:25). - This nuance acknowledges complexity in biblical characters and modern faith practices. - The balanced perspective encourages listeners to see beyond binary choices. - Enhancement: More exploration of how service and contemplation can coexist synergistically. - **Logical Flow:** - The sermon’s progression—from textual analysis to historical background, to theological implications, and finally practical application—is coherent and builds understanding logically. - Each point naturally leads to the next, helping listeners follow the argument’s development. - Suggestion: Using explicit signposting language (“First,” “Next,” “Finally”) might improve listener orientation. - **Ethical Reasoning:** - The preacher implicitly challenges traditional gender norms by highlighting Mary’s boldness and spiritual authority, raising ethical questions about inclusion and discipleship (00:14:58–00:15:30). - This ethical dimension invites reflection on justice and equity in faith communities. - To strengthen ethical reasoning, the sermon could more explicitly connect these observations to present-day calls for equity and inclusion in the church. --- **Logical Fallacies: None explicitly present.** - The sermon avoids **Strawman** by fairly representing Martha’s concerns. - There is no **Ad Hominem** or personal attack on Martha or Mary. - No **Red Herring**; the preacher stays focused on Luke 10:38–42 and its themes. - No **False Dilemma** is presented, as the sermon balances service and learning rather than forcing an either/or choice. - No **Slippery Slope** or exaggerated consequences are claimed. - No **Circular Reasoning**; conclusions follow premises with clear support. - No **Hasty Generalization**; the preacher carefully limits claims to the biblical and cultural context. - No **Appeal to Authority** without evidence; the preacher uses reason and scripture rather than relying solely on authority. - No **Appeal to Emotion** manipulates the audience; emotional content is balanced with facts. - No **Begging the Question** or **Post Hoc** fallacies appear. - No **Bandwagon** or **False Cause** reasoning is present. - No **Tu Quoque** or **Appeal to Ignorance** are found. --- ### **📚 References** - Biblical texts from Luke and John, especially Luke 10:38–42 and John 11–12. - Cultural and linguistic notes on Hebrew and Arabic meanings of “Martha.” - Biblical scholarship on Luke’s authorship, historical context, and gospel sources. - While no explicit marginalized voices are cited, the sermon’s highlighting of Mary’s non-traditional role supports inclusive theological reflection. ### **🗨 Quotes and Illustrative Stories** - Memorable quotes: Jesus’ words to Martha, “You are worried and distracted by many things… Mary has chosen the better part.” - Illustrative story: Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with spikenard, demonstrating worship and breaking social norms. - These stories reinforce themes of discipleship, humility, and the cost of faithful listening. ### **🔄 Calls to Action** - Listeners are urged to “listen, read, and understand the words of Christ,” emphasizing spiritual attentiveness as foundational. - Encouraged to reflect on their own balance of service and learning in daily life. - Calls to action could be enriched with more explicit engagement strategies (e.g., small group discussions, visual reminders) to reach diverse learning styles. --- **"The Urgent or the Important"** *by Ernie Welch* # Sermon Notes: Martha & Mary - **Martha and Mary** are people in the Bible, but Martha is only rarely mentioned by name twice. - **Luke's Perspective:** - Luke knew what was coming next and wanted to pay attention. - Luke was a physician and scholar. - Luke wasn't present at the events; he wasn't a Jew but came from Turkey or Syria, not part of Jesus' immediate group. - He was a voluntary believer and baptized into Christianity. - Question raised: *Where did Luke get this story?* He wasn't present when it happened. - Luke traveled with Paul but was still a “sailor” and at the time persecuting Christians. - Luke repeats this story as a key source but sometimes changes what he said. - After this story, Luke includes his version of **The Lord’s Prayer**. - Luke names people but does not mention family names or places. - **Historical Context:** - Someone (unspecified) was still alive and subject to persecution a decade later; John names her. - Martha’s house is mentioned — why is it named after her? - Did she inherit the house? - Is her husband still alive? - Martha makes dinner for Mary, Lazarus, Jesus, and the disciples. - Many were not helping. - Martha’s story is positioned just before or after **The Lord’s Prayer** and the **Good Samaritan** parable. - **Social and Cultural Notes:** - Women didn't typically sit at Jesus' feet. - They often stood at the wall or stayed in another room. - Many others did not help. - **Jesus' Last Teachings:** - Jesus knew this was His last sermon. - There was a time between service and prayer. - The theme: Urgent vs Important. - Jesus had important things to say. - To Mary, He said something more important. - Hearing and understanding this is everything Christ wanted to convey. - Only a few people, including Peter and Martha, were highlighted for their faith. - **John’s Version (Different Gospel Account):** - Mary anoints Jesus with spikenard. - She lets down her hair like a servant to anoint His head and feet. - Martha is the "differ" or "anointer" in Luke’s version. - Mary’s anointing in John’s account is of the body before the Last Supper and Crucifixion. - **Reflection:** - Reading, understanding Jesus' words is key to being a good Christian. ### **Context and Background** - **Luke’s Authorship and Perspective** - Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit, but the sermon’s emphasis on certain words is the pastor’s own. - Luke, a Greek-speaking physician and scholar, was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry and was not Jewish, being the only non-Jew among the 66 books of the Bible. He likely gathered stories through extensive interviews and research, as he was never present for the events he describes. He was a voluntary believer, not an inherited one, and was initially suspected and untrusted by some. - The story of Martha and Mary, as presented in Luke 10:38-42, is unique to Luke’s Gospel. Martha is not mentioned in Matthew, Mark, the Old Testament, or the epistles. While John’s Gospel does mention Martha and Mary, Luke’s Gospel was written approximately ten years before John’s, meaning Luke could not have sourced this specific account from John. - **Placement in Luke’s Gospel** - This passage is sandwiched between the Parable of the Good Samaritan (emphasizing service and loving one’s neighbor) and Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer (emphasizing prayer and communion with God). - The deliberate placement highlights the importance of balancing service and spiritual attentiveness. - **Historical and Cultural Notes** - The setting is a “certain village,” understood to be Bethany, near Jerusalem (about two miles away). Luke deliberately omits the name of the village and the family (Martha, Mary, Lazarus), possibly because it was still dangerous for those involved due to Roman persecution, unlike John’s later account which names Bethany. - Martha is the mistress of the house, which is unusual for a woman in that era, suggesting she may have inherited the home from a wealthy husband, as it was large enough to host many people. - Hosting Jesus and his disciples would have been a significant, urgent responsibility. Jesus arrived with his 12 disciples, making at least 13 guests, plus Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, totaling at least 18 people, likely more with other followers. This unexpected arrival created immense pressure for Martha to provide hospitality. --- ### **Key Observations from the Pastor** - **Double-Naming in Scripture** - Only seven people in the Bible are addressed by their name twice in a row (e.g., “Martha, Martha”). Martha is the only woman among them, alongside Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Peter, and Paul (Saul). - Double-naming signals that what follows is especially important. - **Martha’s Role** - Martha is busy with hospitality, fulfilling the Jewish tradition of welcoming and serving guests. - Her name means “mistress” or “lady of the house,” indicating responsibility and leadership. - She is concerned with urgent, practical needs and her reputation. - **Mary’s Role** - Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, a position typically reserved for male disciples, breaking social norms for women. She presumes to sit at the feet of the greatest rabbi, joining the disciples to hear his words. - She chooses to listen and learn from Jesus, prioritizing spiritual growth over immediate tasks. Jesus, knowing his impending crucifixion, was likely delivering his “last sermon” or “last words of wisdom,” which Mary was intently absorbing. - **Jesus’ Response** - Jesus gently rebukes Martha, affirming that while service is good, listening to His teaching is “the better part.” He highlights that learning to be a good disciple is more important than the urgent, daily tasks like preparing dinner, especially since the truly urgent “Last Supper” was still days away. - He does not criticize Mary for breaking tradition but commends her choice, recognizing the profound importance of her attentiveness. --- ### **Scripture Connections and Deeper Meaning** - **John 11-12** - In John’s Gospel (John 11), Martha confesses Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, one of only two people in the Bible to deify Christ verbally (the other being Peter, who was told to keep it quiet due to danger, unlike Martha, whose confession came before the public act of raising Lazarus from the dead). - In John’s Gospel (John 12), which describes what is likely the same dinner as Luke’s account, Mary anoints Jesus with expensive spikenard, a very aromatic and rare perfume from the Himalayas. This act of adoration involves anointing both his head (a good thing) and his feet (a better, slave-obedient posture, using her hair to dry them), defying social expectations. - Mary’s anointing is an act of preparation for His burial, and its lingering aroma symbolizes the lasting impact of Christ’s body. - Both sisters play significant roles: Martha as a confessor of faith, Mary as an anointer. - **Cultural Significance** - Mary’s actions (sitting at Jesus’ feet, anointing Him, using her hair) defy social expectations but are affirmed by Jesus. - The anointing with spikenard is symbolic, as its aroma lingers, foreshadowing Jesus’ impending death and burial. --- ### **Application for Today** - **Who God Is and How He Responds** - God values both service and devotion but prioritizes a heart that seeks to listen and learn from Him. - Jesus welcomes those who break social barriers to draw near to Him. - **Who God Says You Are** - You are invited to be a disciple, regardless of your background or societal expectations. - Your identity is not in your busyness or reputation, but in your relationship with Christ. - **How to Live** - Prioritize time at Jesus’ feet—listening, learning, and growing in faith—over the distractions and urgencies of daily life. - Service is important, but spiritual attentiveness is essential for true discipleship. - In a culture that values productivity and busyness, remember that God calls you first to be present with Him. --- ### **Pastoral Examples and Reflections** - The pastor speculates that Luke’s source for the story may have been direct interviews with Martha, Mary, or Lazarus, possibly during travels in Cyprus, where the family exiled themselves after the crucifixion. Luke is known for seeking direct sources. - The urgency Martha felt is relatable in modern life, where daily tasks can distract from spiritual priorities. The sermon emphasizes that while service is important, it is secondary to listening and learning from Christ, contrasting Martha’s immediate concerns with the ultimate importance of spiritual nourishment. - The story’s deliberate placement between the Good Samaritan (service) and the Lord’s Prayer (prayer) is intentional, teaching that both service and prayer must be grounded in attentive discipleship and understanding Christ’s words. ## 🎵 God Who Made Us, Christ Who Calls Us (Hymn 387) 1. God who made us, Christ who calls us, Breath who guides us in the Way, hear the humble words we whisper as we dare to bow and pray: 2. "Live Your Light within and through us, dawn in us eternal day. Tell us, as we brave the darkness, when to speak and what to say. 3. Give us courage, humble courage, Give us faith that will not fail. Give us love with no exceptions. Through us let Your peace prevail." 4. God who made us, Christ who calls us, Breath who guides from deep within, may our lives of mumbled praying end with Heaven's clear "Amen." --- **Words:** Terry W. York, 2006 **Music:** William H. Jude, 1874 **Tune:** GALILEE (8.7.8.7) Higher key, No. 518 Words © 2010 George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. ## 💬 Sharing of Joys and Concerns ## 🙏 Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (*using "debts"* version) ## 💝 Invitation to Giving ## 🎹 Offertory ## 🎵 *Offertory Response #706* **"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"** ## 🙌 *Prayer of Dedication* *from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* > God, we give today in thankfulness and with the assurance that anything we give will contribute to the continuing growth of your kingdom in the world. > Give us wisdom as a church, so that this offering is used for the sharing of your word and the service of your people. > In the name of the One that gave us everything we are and have. > **Amen.** --- ## 🎵 Trust and Obey (Hymn 509) 1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! Let us do His good will; He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. 2. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He does richly repay; not a frown or a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey. 3. But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows and the joy He bestows are for those who will trust and obey. 4. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet or we'll walk by His side in the way; what He says we will do, where He sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey. **Refrain:** Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. --- **Words:** John H. Sammis, 1887 **Music:** Daniel B. Towner, 1887 **Tune:** TRUST AND OBEY (6.6.9 D with refrain) ## 📣 *Commission & Benediction* ## 🎼 Postlude (Seated) > *Join us for a time of fellowship after worship!* --- ## 👶 Nursery Note *The “Nursery Nook” in the Narthex and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available for children and families during worship. Activity bags are also available.* ## 🎂 Birthdays This Week - **7/21** Connie Stenger - **7/23** Maurice Marotte III, Kevin Woy - **7/25** Kirk Johnson, Kiana Smith --- ## 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Worship Participants | Role | Name | |--------------------|-------------------------------| | Pastor | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton | | Lay Leader | Jerry Thomason | | Guest Speaker | Ernie Welch | | Organist | Barbara Motichka | | Deacon in Charge | Sarah Myers | | Lector | Connie Kaiser | | Children’s Corner | Harold and Susan Collier | | Media Coordinators | Chris Willman-Bunge | | Bulletin Cover | Jesus MAFA “Martha and Mary” | | Source Art | Vanderbilt Divinity Library | --- ## 🌸 Flowers at the Foot of the Cross Given in loving memory of Edna L. Scubelek by Wayne Scubelek and Sue McMurtray. --- ## 📜 St. John’s Vision > We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ as a congregation that welcomes everyone, and seeks service that will advance God’s realm on earth. ## 🕊️ St. John’s Mission > To grow in love of God and neighbor.