Home Church 6th Sunday after Pentecost July 4, 2021, Rev. Karen Hollis

Home Church 6th Sunday after Pentecost, July 4, 2021, Rev. Karen Hollis

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Preparing the Space Around Us

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Welcome if you are gathering on zoom or if you are worshipping at home with the bulletin. We are one community and all part of the body of Christ. I invite you to prepare the space around you so that for the next hour you can be fully in this worship experience, not to keep out the realities of the world, rather to focus us in the midst of it all on God. If you need to go and get something or shift something around you, feel free.

Preparing the Space within Us

Let us prepare now the space within us for a time of worship. I invite you to sit quietly, perhaps with feet on the floor, taking a couple of deep breaths and bring yourself into this moment. Open yourself to the presence of God who is with us and within us . . . as you intentionally open yourself to God, open yourself also to what you need from this time of worship. 

Prelude: We Praise You O God Recording by D. Butt & H. Bradshaw VU #218

 We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;

in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.

We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;

we bless your holy name: glad praises we sing.

 

2 We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,

through trial and tempest, companion and guide.

When perils o'ertake us, you will not forsake us,

but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.

 

3 With voices united our praises we offer,

and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.

Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,

to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

                                    

Greeting                                                         
One:    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 

            and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:      And also with you     

 

Call to Worship - adapted from Psalm 48 (Lynn C. Bauman)

One:    Great is our God!

All:      We are awestruck by the sight of you; O God, you fill this             sacred space.

One:    God’s name in praise covers heaven and earth, pouring justice  like a sea.

All:      So on God’s holy mountain, let the worshippers be glad!

Opening Prayer   -     Bruce Prewer, edited

We thank you, loving God, for the surprises which you spring on us! You take the potential in us and give us gifts; you take our wounds and transform them into wisdom. Like the first apostles, you entrust us with an authority and ministry far beyond our own strength. Surprise us again as you gather us in for worship; give us eyes to see, ears to hear you and a desire in our hearts to know you. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!                

Hymn: O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee  - VU #560

1 O Master, let me walk with thee

in lowly paths of service free;

tell me thy secret, help me bear

the strain of toil, the fret of care.

 

2 Help me the slow of heart to move

with some clear, winning word of love;

teach me the wayward feet to stay,

and guide them in the homeward way.

 

3 Teach me thy patience; still with thee ,

in closer, dearer company,

in work that keeps faith sure and strong,

in trust that triumphs over wrong,

 

4 in hope that sends a shining ray

far down the future's broadening way,

in peace that only thou canst give,

with thee, O Master, let me live.

 

Prayer of Confession  - Walter Brueggemann

One:    We long for you, O God, and we are here. In this moment, in this      space, and we thank you that you are here with us.

All:       You know us, God; we do not have to pretend with you.

One:    In the silence of your love, we bring to you the things that trouble us, that harm us, that make us feel ashamed or afraid, that we  have not been able to say aloud.

 

Silent prayer of confession

 

One:    God have mercy on us

All:      Christ have mercy on us

One:    God have mercy on us

 

Assurance of Grace 

Our God is faithful in every day, in every season. God meets us with love and grace, even when we struggle to show grace to ourselves. May God's grace be a teacher to each of us. Thanks be to God.

 

Peace of Christ 

Whenever we gather, Christ is present with us. Let us share the peace he brings. Please unmute and share the peace across the island as north enders and south enders – those in the middle or off-island can choose your affiliation. North enders, we say together:

 

            North enders:   The Peace of Christ be with you!

            South enders: And also with you!

 

First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10   - Don Butt

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. Long before now, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel in war; and the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd My people Israel; you shall be ruler of Israel.” All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Hebron before the Lord. And they Anointed David king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 

David occupied the stronghold and renamed it the City of David; David also fortified the surrounding area, from Millo inward. David kept growing stronger, for the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.

 

Gospel Reading   - Mollie Ford

One:      God be with you.       

All:        And also with you.

One:      The Good News of Jesus Christ according to Mark;

All:        Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Mark 6:1-13                

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

 

One: This is the Gospel of Christ; 

All:   Praise be to Jesus Christ

 

Reflection: Rev Karen Hollis (attached)       

                   

Silent Reflection

Prayers of the People  -   Karen Hollis ( attached)

One:    Faithful God,

All:      Hear Our Prayer

 

Lord’s Prayer -  Ecumenical Version

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, 

and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

 

Offering  -  Betty Schultze, on behalf of the Council                                

Offering Prayer Let us pray . . .                                              

 

Hymn: Send Me, Lord  -  VU #572

1 Send me, Lord.

Send me, Jesus,

send me, Jesus,

send me, Jesus,

send me, Lord.

 

2 Lead me, Lord.

Lead me, Jesus,

lead me, Jesus,

lead me, Jesus,

lead me, Lord.

 

3 I will go, Lord.

I will go, Lord,

in your name, Lord,

I will go.

 

Blessing - Iona Community

If you are with another person, you’re invited to bless each other, taking every other line.

 

One:      The Creator’s blessing be yours on your road, on your journey,  guiding you, cherishing you.

South:   The Son’s blessing be yours, wine and water, bread and stories,  feeding you, challenging you.

North:   The Spirit’s blessing be yours, wind and fire, joy and wisdom,           comforting you, disturbing you.

All:        The Angel’s blessing be yours, on your house, on your living, guarding you, encouraging you. Let us walk together, a community on a journey, sustained in God’s blessing. Amen!

One:      Let us go now in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:        Thanks be to God! Alleluia!