July 26, 2020

 

CENTERING

 

THE GATHERING

         Announcements & Sharing

 

PRAISING

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Pastor: From the mustard seed a great and mighty

             shrub emerges.

People: Good things can come from something that seemed so insignificant!

Pastor: The spore of the yeast can leaven the whole loaf of

             bread.

People: We can be those people who bring hope and peace to God’s world.

      Pastor: Come, let us praise the God of great and mighty

      wonders.

People: Let our spirits soar in gratitude for the opportunities God gives us to serve. AMEN.

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

Lord, you place before us the images of the small--the tiny mustard seed, the grain of yeast, the small treasure--and remind us that we, though we think of ourselves as small, are not insignificant in your kingdom. Open our hearts and our spirits to you in thankful remembrance of the ways in which we can serve you throughout all our lives. AMEN.

 

 

 

CHILDREN’S MOMENTS 

CONFESSING

 

CALL TO CONFESSION

 

GENERAL CONFESSION

 

Diligent Lord, who watches over us at all times, be with us all these days. We confess that we have allowed a host of worries and frustrations to crowd out your word for us. As you give us peace and your transforming love, also forgive all those times when we have been less than faithful disciples. Gently visit us again with your healing powers. Restore our hope and courage and joy for all the times ahead. We ask this in the name of the Master Healer, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

 

SILENT CONFESSION

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Here is some wonderful news! While we were worrying and fretting, God has been at work in our lives offering healing and peace. Receive these gifts in the name and love of the Lord our God. AMEN.

HEARING

1ST LESSON: Genesis 29: 15-28

 

Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were lovely,[a] and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. 18 Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” 22 So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24 (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) 25 When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

This is the Word of the Lord.

 

Thanks Be to God

 

 

 

PROCLAIMING

 

SERMON:    Desert Dynasty

 

PRAYING

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

LORD’S PRAYER

 

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen

 

 

RESPONDING

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING

God gives us the opportunity to share from our bounty for the ministries of our church that Christ’s redeeming love may be known to all people. Let us joyfully receive our morning offering.

 

THE LORD’S OFFERING

 

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER

 

Lord, receive our gifts and our lives. Cause all of these blessings to work for you in this world which you have loaned to us for safekeeping. In Christ’s Name, we pray. AMEN.

 

SENDING


BENEDICTION

 

With a song of praise on our lips,

we go forth with God.

With the love of God in our hearts,

we go forth with God.

With a commitment to usher in God’s kingdom,

we go forth with God.

With all that we are and all we can be,

we go forth with God.

 

 

Pastor: Rev. Russel W. Shuluga

Liturgist: Kim Viehland

 

 

 

                                             

Every Sunday Morning at 11:15 AM

https://zoom.us/j/4127312511?pwd=M091MnJ6WjhmbDloTWcxbmFmTFFlQT09

 

Meeting ID: 412 731 2511

Password: 123456

From your phone (312) 626-6799

 

 

                              

 

 

          July Mission Opportunity

 

WILKINSBURG COMMUNITY MINISTRY

 

WCM helps those in our community during COVID19, by continuing to distribute food supplies, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 1PM. The need is great and WCM is there to help! You can help by making a monetary donation that will assist them with purchasing food for the community. Make your check payable to MAUMC and mail to the church office, 905 Mifflin Avenue, Wilkinsburg,  PA   15221.

To make a donation with your credit card or debit card to Mifflin Avenue UMC for the July Mission Opportunity, under the special instructions line, indicate WCM.

You can also visit their website and make a direct donation or mail your check to WCM, check payable to Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, 704 Wood St. Wilkinsburg, PA  15221.