(Clich here for print version)
August 2, 2020
North Congregational Church
New Hartford, Connecticut
OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE IN OUR REAR CHURCHYARD
FOR YOUR MEDITATION
There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.
-Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist, who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British Rule.
When I fed the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor had no food, they called me a Communist. -Archbishop Dom Hélder Câmara (1909-1999), Roman Catholic Brazilian Bishop, 1964-1986
Lord, give bread to those who hunger, and to those who have bread, give a hunger for justice. -Latin American prayer
PRELUDE
Be Thou My Vision (Slane – Irish Melody), arr. Cindy Berry
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
It is normally our custom when we gather to extend the Peace of Christ to one another. Since we are continuing to honor the need to keep physically distant from one another, please greet one another, not with a hug or a handshake, but with a simple sign of peace..
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Welcome to worship, all who hunger and thirst
for the things that are necessary for life
for bread to sustain our bodies
for love and companionship to sustain our spirits
for hope and energy to enable us to make each day better than the next and for righteousness and justice so that all may have enough
Let us gather our hearts and minds together, so that we can support one another as we seek to grow as disciples of Christ.
OPENING HYMN:
#511 Come, Behold the Feast of Heaven Tune: LLANFAIR
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 55: 1-2a
…everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
2 Corinthians 9.6-10
…the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Mark 6.32-42
32 And they (Jesus and the disciples) went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled.
MORNING MEDITATION
How Much is Enough? The Rev. Marcia Lynn Cox
MUSICAL REFLECTION
Let Us Break Bread Together -arr. John Carter
PRAYER
Gracious and loving God, we give thanks for the many wonderful things in our lives: The beauty that surrounds us, family members, friends, and life’s basic necessities.
But at the same time we are aware of the poor, hungry, and neglected all over the world, for those who lack access to water and other resources, and for the light of research and support services to shine in the lives of all God’s people.
We offer our prayers for pray for an end to the waste and desecration of God’s creation, for access to the fruits of creation to be shared equally among all people, and for communities and nations to find sustenance in the fruits of the earth and the water God has given us.
And so we ask that people who already enjoy the abundance of creation and the blessings of prosperity, that their hearts may be lifted up to the needs of the poor and afflicted, and partnerships between rich and poor for the reconciliation of the world may flourish and grow. (National Catholic Rural Life Conference, adapted)
We are mindful, God of justice, for those who are unjustly oppressed or imprisoned. And for those who are not granted a living wage for their labors.
God of peace, we hold up before you all who are in the midst of dangerous or violent situations.
Healing God, we hold in our hearts all who are suffering from diseases of the body, the mind and the spirit, especially…..
- For those who are preparing for medical procedures….
- For those who care for the sick and the dying….
- For those people facing death
- For all who have passed into care and for family and friends who mourn their loss…..
In our own lives, we bring to you now our joys and concerns….
All these things we offer, using the words of the prayer that Jesus taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. AMEN.
HYMN OF PREPARATION
#529 Draw Us In the Spirit’s Tether Tune: UNION SEMINARY
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
OPENING WORDS
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP
UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
For our vulnerability that is symbolized in the breaking of the bread, for your love that has been given to us in the pouring of the cup, we give you thanks, O God. Assured that we are united through Christ, and related in love to the world you have created, send us out with courage and joy that we might become bread for the world. AMEN.
CLOSING HYMN
#526 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ Tune: LINSTEAD
OUR COMMON COMMISSION
Let us now forth into the world in peace.
Being of good courage.
Holding fast to that which is good.
Rendering to no one evil for evil.
Strengthening the fainthearted.
Supporting the weak.
Helping the afflicted.
Honoring all persons.
Loving and serving the Lord,
And rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
BENEDICTION
We have been welcomed at Christ’s table. a feast of love and nourishment for the body and soul. May what we have received here today continue to strengthen our faith and our resolve to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world, working together as the people of God, to live and act as God’s people in our hungry, hurting world. And may the blessings of God – boundless love, redeeming grace, enduring presence –be among you and within you, now and forever. Amen
POSTLUDE
Prelude in F Major -J.S. Bach
OFFERING
As you leave, you may place your pledges and offerings in the offering plate on the communion table. Thank you for your generosity.
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
United Church of Christ
17 Church Street North
New Hartford, Connecticut. 06057
website: http://www.northchurchucc.com
The Rev. Marcia Lynn Cox, Designated Pastor
e-mail: revmoxie3@gmail.com
Shirley McCunn, Director of Music
North Congregational Church 