# Seventh Sunday After Pentecost - Celebration of Vacation Bible School *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 - **News in the Pews - July 27, 2025** - The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton, [email protected], (641) 260-1868 (cell) - Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator, [email protected], (717) 263-8593 (office) - Gary Crum, Music Director | Barbara Motichka, Organist - Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth - The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus - **This Week at St. John’s** - **TODAY: VBS SUNDAY** - July birthdays honored today and Summer Singers Concert at 3:00 pm - Bible Study on the Book of Acts, 8 pm, Google Meet (link in Friday e-blast) - **Upcoming Events:** - **Monday, July 28** - 10:00 am Meditation Group – Parlor Room 104 - **Tuesday, July 29** - 5:30 pm Yoga – Room 202 - **Sunday, August 3** - 8:45 am Wired Word Church School Class – Room 116 - 10:00 am Sunday Service – Sanctuary - **Annual Youth Splash Party** - August 8, 5:00 pm–8:00 pm at the Chambersburg Aquatic Center. Meet at the entrance around 4:45 pm. Contact Roxanne about permissions. Pizza will be provided. Costs: Borough resident $6, Franklin and Shippensburg residents $9, others $11. - **Sunday Night Bible Study** - Sundays at 8 pm via Google Meet, studying the Book of Acts. - July 27 focus: Chapter 7, verses 1 through 36 (NRSVue). - Study continues with lay leadership during Pastor Caroline’s sabbatical. - **Summer Special Music** - Signup posted on the choir room door for special music during summer worship. Contact Gary Crum. - **July First Fruits** - Supports United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign for school supplies across Franklin County. - Boxes located in the lobby through July 31. - **Monday Afternoon Book Study** - Pauses during Pastor Caroline’s sabbatical. New book will be chosen after August. - **Life Talk** - Adult conversation and support time after Sunday services in the parlor. Everyone welcome. - **Birthday Balloons** - Special coffee hour last Sunday of the month to honor birthdays. August birthdays honored August 31. - **July/August Upper Room Devotionals** - Available at the Welcome Center. Donations suggested: $1 small print / $2 large print. Contact church office for mail copies. - **Save the Dates:** - **August 16 Paint & Picnic** – St. John’s Camp, 9:00 am painting party and picnic lunch in pavilion at noon. - **August 17 Blessing of the Animals** – 10:00 am Outdoor Sunday Worship. Bring pets or photos. - **August 22 End of Summer Dance** – 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall. - **August 24 Gratitude Sunday** – Pancake Breakfast 8:45 am Fellowship Hall, Worship at 10 am. Cards for thankfulness available. - **September 20 Fall Harvest Tea** – Fellowship Hall, VIP and general ticket sales dates specified. - **September 28 Family Fun Day** – After worship 11:30 am–1:30 pm, Food, Music, Games. - **October 5 Chili Cook-Off** – Fellowship Hall after worship. - **October 24-26 Habitat for Humanity Used Book Sale** – Fellowship Hall. --- ## Passing of the Peace **Leader:** "The peace of Christ be with you" **Response:** "And also with you" --- ## Prelude --- ## Call to Worship *adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* We are children of God, learning to walk. **Day by day, we are learning to be the church.** God is a loving parent, teaching us to walk. **God loves us, leads us, and feeds us.** God is with us on the journey. **God is with us when we go off course.** God is with us when we're joyful and when we're lonely. **God is with us near and far.** Come, let us journey with God and one another! --- ## Opening Song *On the Road* --- ## Opening Prayer *adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* Jesus Christ, teach us to pray, and to trust the hospitality of God for our daily bread. Our ancestors relied on you, eating manna in the wilderness, knowing that you provide even when we go the long way, taking the scenic route. Let us offer others hospitality, seeking to welcome them into our shared journey. God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to us and helps us to share good gifts with those who are in need. May this time of worship honor you, as we go together on a road trip in faith. Amen. --- ## VBS Overview Roxanne Davenport --- ## Verse for the Week **Joshua 1:9** (NRSVue) *"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."* --- ## Scripture Reading **Genesis 12:1-9** (NRSVue) *"The Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you...'"* (Full passage) **Exodus 13:17-22** (NRSVue) *"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines..."* (Full passage) --- ## Dramatization --- ## Responsive Reading *Psalm 138* (NRSVue) I give you thanks, O God, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; **I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.** On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. **All the rulers of the earth shall praise you, O God, for they have heard the words of your mouth.** They shall sing of the ways of God, for great is the glory of God. **For though God is high, God regards the lowly; but the haughty God perceives from far away.** Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your mighty hand delivers me. **God will fulfill God’s purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.** --- ## VBS Overview --- ## Recreation Demonstration --- ## Song *Now and Always* --- ## Scripture Reading **Luke 11:1-13** (NRSVue) *Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:* **‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’”** *And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.* *So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.* *Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"* --- ## Meditation Rev. Peter Emig --- ## Hymn #278 (insert) *We Are Travelers on a Journey* 1. We are travelers on a journey, fellow pilgrims on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. 2. Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. 3. I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow, till we’ve seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony. --- ## Sharing of Joys and Concerns --- ## Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (DEBTS) --- ## Mission Moment Roxanne Davenport --- ## Invitation to Giving --- ## Offertory --- ## Offertory Response *Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow* --- ## Prayer of Dedication *adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion* Holy One, we give you thanks for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Bless these offerings and transform them into gifts of hospitality, love, and justice for those who need them most. Amen. --- ## Recognition and Appreciation Roxanne Davenport --- ## Closing Song *No One Like You* --- ## Commission and Benediction --- ## Sending Song *Shine A Light* --- Join us for a time of fellowship following the service! --- ## Birthdays This Week - 7/28 Jill Bard - 7/30 Jessica Hoffeditz, Stacey Johnson, Deanna Statler - 8/2 Arlene McFate --- ## Worship Participants | Role | Name | |--------------------|---------------------------| | Pastor | Rev. Peter Emig | | Pianist | Barbara Motichka | | Deacon in Charge | Sarah Myers | | Lector | Diana Kongkeattikul | | Children’s Corner | N/A | | Media Coordinators | Calvin Frantz | | Bulletin Cover | Road Trip VBS - Cokesbury | --- ## 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 --- ## Worship Resources - *Road Trip VBS* © Cokesbury - *Feasting on the Word Worship Companion*