CELEBRATION OF
WORSHIP
JULY 12, 2020
Suggestions: You may wish to light candles – a single candle as a Christ candle can be lit as you begin worship, and additional candles if you wish to light them when you pray for people and circumstances. If you are using the music links, you’ll want to have the email in front of you. And if you are tuning in to the recorded worship, you’ll notice that there is some variation between this paper version and the pre-recording. Today we will celebrate Holy Communion – it’s best if have your bread and wine/juice prepared before you begin worship.
For personal reflection: Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19th century)
THE SPIRIT GATHERS US TOGETHER
Prelude "Prayer of St. Francis" "Prelude on St. Anne" Tap Picture Link #1
Welcome
Call to Worship We come into this time of worship to receive the seeds of our faith into the soil of our lives. We worship the Master Gardener God. Let us open our hearts to the sunshine of God’s love. Let us open our souls to the gentle wind of God’s Spirit. Let us open our lives to embrace the good news of Jesus Christ, a message that renews us again and again. Hymn “Creator God, Creating Still” Tap Picture Link #2 Creator God, creating still, by will and word and deed, Create a new humanity to meet the present need. Redeemer God, redeeming still, with overflowing grace, Pour out your love on us, through us, make this a holy place. Sustainer God, sustaining still, with strength for every day, Empower us now to do your will. Correct us when we stray. Great Triune God, for this new day we need your presence still. Create, redeem, sustain us now to do your work and will.
Prayer of Invocation Sower of living hearts, sower of tenderness, sower of courage, sower of service, sower of prayer, sower of light Lord, sow within us. Sower of gifts, sower of forgiveness, sower of faith, sower of joy, sower of life, sower of Beatitudes. Lord, sow in the hearts of all people! Even if we are hard as stones, be patient with us! Your Good News will manage to slip between the tight cracks in our rock and will grow into giant sheaves of Good News! Amen.
THE SPIRIT – TEACHING AND LEARNING
Scripture Reading Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Message Planting Seeds, Growing Hope This is the week that Liz and I would have been deaning at Pilgrim Lodge – the camp session known as Planting Seeds, Growing Hope. Many times throughout the course of these hot summer days I’ve imagined us there with campers and counselors engaged in the activities and program in a place that is near and dear to our hearts. Saturday I could see myself turning down the camp road where I immediately shut off the radio, roll down my car window and take that deep breath of Spirit that is so incredibly present. I pictured the arrival of counselors; and I couldn’t help but smile thinking about the silly ritual we have to end our day of team building – we split Oreos in half and stick the side with the frosting onto our foreheads and, without touching it with our hands, we get the Oreo from our forehead into our mouths. I always have to remind myself that play nourishes the soul. On Sunday I pictured the arrival of our campers – they’re excited and nervous – and how the camp comes to life with the noise and chaos. Throughout this week I’ve pictured us in the dining room for meals and down at the chapel for worship, calling out to the Echo across the lake. I’ve imagine family faith groups walking the labyrinth. I could see us up at the picnic area making s’mores, in the ballfield playing shaving cream whiffle ball, down at the water-front for the last swim and “Dunk the Deans.” At night when I go outside to gaze at the sky, I’ve recalled the final ritual of the day at camp – the three of us deans go from cabin to cabin to say goodnight: “Goodnight, cabin 1… Goodnight, cabin 2, and hearing back, “Good- night, Deans.” There have been moments I could almost hear the voices singing, the chatter of campers going up and down the boardwalk, the relentless call of the loons at night when we’re trying to get to sleep. With everything we do, everything we say, the activities we plan and implement, our goal is building an intentional Christian community… an experience of what it is to live as the Kingdom of God. So what does that look like? There are no “insiders” and “outsiders” – everyone is accepted and belongs in that giant God circle that I’m always referring to. Everyone must be treated with respect. Love and caring and compassion are the order of the day. And when that breaks down – as it inevitably does – situations are handled with the love and care intended to help us all grow to be all God intends for us to be… all of us. Our campers are growing up in a world that isn’t always gentle and kind. They experience a social “pecking order.” They experience ridicule and bullying. The peer pressure at all ages can pose challenges we can hardly imagine. More and more of our campers also seem to be growing up in households that fail to provide a nurturing environment for them to grow to be whole and healthy. We have campers of all ages who come to PL with wounded and broken places in need of healing. So throughout our week, we plant seeds – lots of seeds – that we have to believe make a difference in their lives. They are seeds that remind them that they are each a beloved child of God, that they have talents to share with the world. We plant the seeds that God is always with them, the seeds of prayer and presence – the seeds of faith and trust in God. We plant the seeds that give them the tools to navigate the “world out there” (as we tend to call it) when the going gets tough. We plant seeds to teach them the value of being kind and generous, loving and patient, caring and compassionate…. that they have the power and ability to change the world for the better. We plant seeds and pray they grow into hope that their world around them and within them can be better. Jesus was a seed sower. He went about Galilee touching people who were considered unclean – untouchable. He healed those who were considered unworthy of God’s grace – those who were blind, lame, and mentally ill. He interpreted the law of Moses in new ways – “You have heard it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” And when the crowd was about to stone the woman accused of adultery – punishment prescribed by Levitical rule – he imparted a new path forward: “Anyone who is without sin, cast the first stone.” He sat at table with all manner of sinners. He broke with social customs by welcoming women and children. In word and deed, Jesus planted seeds – lots of seeds. He planted seeds that spoke about a God who loved them – all of them – a God who welcomed everyone into the circle of grace… a God who demanded mercy and justice. He planted seeds that reminded them that they were created by God in God’s image. He planted seeds that restored people’s sense of dignity and worth. And these seeds grew hope – that the world around them and the world within them could be better. I would urge you to reflect on this parable and think about the seeds that have been sown in you. Who sowed the seeds? What’s the soil of your heart that has allowed some seeds to take root and flourish and other seeds to wither and die? What seeds of goodness get choked out by the weeds of our world? And what has the seeds sown in the “good soil” of your heart produced? Sitting in the boat, teaching us with this parable, Jesus wants us all to be about the business of tilling and tending God’s garden. Jesus wants us to plant the seeds of goodness and kindness, the seeds of mercy and justice, the seeds of love and compassion. In doing so, we will grow hope for a better world. Consider the poem “Children Learn What They Live” by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. If children (people) live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children (people) live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children (people) live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children (people) live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children (people) live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children (people) live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children (people) live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children (people) live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children (people) live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children (people) live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children (people) live with acceptance, they learn to love. If children (people) live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children (people) live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal. If children (people) live with sharing, they learn generosity. If children (people) live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children (people) live with fairness, they learn justice. If children (people) live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect. If children (people) live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them. If children (people) live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live. Amen.
Prayer Some suggestions for prayer: • Continued prayers for healing for Chuck McCall • Prayers for our school administrators making difficult decisions and plans for returning (or not) to the classroom in the fall. • Continued prayers for all those on the front lines of dealing with Covid 19 as the numbers of infections and deaths continue to climb. • When our communities, state and nation is so divided, prayers of healing to bring us together
Gardener God, you till and tend the soil of our hearts. But there are times when – for many reasons – we fail to produce the fruit that leads to the building of your vision of peace. And so we take these moments of worship and the moments of our private lives of faith to turn to you to help us grow spiritually to be all we can be. Till us again, that the soil of our hearts will be open to receive the seed of love and compassion, the seed of forgiveness, the seed of passion for justice. Rain down your grace, and shine your light that we might grow to be the beautiful flowers in your garden to brighten this world. In this moment we pray for … (take this time for the prayer of your own heart) … In Jesus’ name and with his words we pray: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” Amen.
Celebration of Holy Communion Hymn “Gift of Finest Wheat” Tap Music Link #3 Refrain: You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat, come give to us O Saving Lord, the bread of life to eat. As when the shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice; So when you call your family Lord, we follow and rejoice. Refrain: You satisfy the hungry heart… With joyful lips we sing to you, our praise and gratitude, That you should count us worthy Lord, to share this heavenly food. Refrain: You satisfy the hungry heart… Is not the cup we bless and share, the blood of Christ outpoured? Do not one cup, one loaf declare our oneness in the Lord? Refrain: You satisfy the hungry heart… The mystery of Your presence Lord, no mortal tongue can tell; Whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell. The Invitation Come to this table where you will taste the bread of Life, shared in love. Come to this table where you will share the cup of the covenant, This is Christ’s feast where the people God gather All are invited to the welcome table.
Retelling the Story In these moments we remember when Jesus ate with his friends, he took bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them saying: “Take, eat; this is my body given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he passed it to his friends, saying: “Drink. This cup is my life, poured out for you. Whenever you drink it, remember me.” Brothers and sisters, Jesus is here, in the bread and the cup, ever present and ever real, opening our hearts and minds to the possibility and promise of God’s abiding presence. Come, share in the story and feast on the grace of God.
Prayer One: Holy God, as we break open the bread and pour the cup we give thanks for the gift of life, and for your abiding love. We give thanks for the gift of your son, Jesus, who came to live in our midst and to share our common lot, and who showed us the way and the truth of your love. With gratitude, we recall his life, his death, and his resurrection, through which we receive the gifts of healing, wholeness, and eternal life. Christ Jesus, friend of the broken and the lost and companion of the forgotten and the lonely, as bread is broken and the cup is poured, we remember that first time of breaking bread and pouring wine, and we hear the whisper of your voice, inviting us, gathering us, around the table of love. We celebrate the gift of your Holy Spirit that gathers and sustains your church by which your work may be done in the world. With the faithful in every place and time, we praise you, O God, with awe and joy. Pastor: Hear us, O Christ, and breathe your Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this cup. May they become for us your body, vibrant with your life, healing, renewing and making us whole – making us one. All: Amen. Sharing the Bread and the Cup Ordinary bread made by ordinary people is holy when we take and eat and remember. You may now eat the bread Ordinary grapes taken by ordinary people made into ordinary wine and juice is holy when we hold it to our lips and drink and remember. You may now drink the wine/juice
Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving O Amazing God, you come into our ordinary lives and set a holy table among us. Your invitation provides an extravagant welcome to all. You fill our plates with the bread of Life and our cups with healing and hope. May the blessings we have received at this table strengthen our faith, increase our generosity, and unify our hearts. Send us out, O God, with tenderheartedness to touch an ordinary, everyday world with the promise of your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.
THE SPIRIT SENDS US OUT
Hymn “Come to Tend God’s Garden” “This Little Light of Mine” Tap Music Link #4
Benediction Gathered and scattered we have been held together by the Spirit of God. Gathered and scattered we go into the week held together by the Spirit of God. Amen!
Postlude "Recercare on St. Anne" Tap Picture Link #5
Rev. Marcia Charles, Pastor Rich Pitre, Minister of Music Reader: Donna Ferree Melodye De Beradinis, violinist Charlotte Nolan, soloist
ANNOUNCEMENTS This is who we are: We are a community of the United Church of Christ. We believe God is still speaking. We believe God’s grace abounds and embraces us all. In keeping with the extravagant welcome of Jesus, we welcome all into the full life and ministry of this church. We want all who come through our doors to find not only a place of welcome, but a place of belonging. We treat one another as beloved children of God. Together, we seek God’s truth; we practice kindness, compassion and justice; and we wage peace. We reach out to those struggling with the challenges of life in our community and beyond. We visit the sick and the lonely. We love our less fortunate sisters and brothers locally and globally. Welcome to our community of faith where we hope you experience God’s grace and mercy, love and forgiveness, for “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
We thank Tom Nolan, for his work taping today’s worship service. And we also thank Cindy Nygren and Lauren Thompson for making this accessible on our church website and Facebook page.
If you wish to send in your offering, please make your check payable to Blue Point Congregational Church and mail it to the church address: 236 Pine Point Road; Scarborough, ME 04074-9246. We want to thank all of you who continue to generously support the mission and ministry of this church in this challenging time. We are incredibly grateful.
Rev. Marcia will be on vacation beginning Tuesday, July 13 and will be back on July 28. The Rev. Jane MacIntyre will provide the July 19 and 26 worship services. Rev. MacIntyre’s father, Rev. Warren Campbell, was the pastor at BPCC several decades ago.
While Rev. Marcia is on vacation, if there is an emergency requiring pastoral care, please be in touch with Sara Salisbury at 883-3773.
Rev. Marcia has returned to Mondays as her day off – her day of sabbath (except in the event of an emergency). During this time of “social distancing” she will not be coming in for office hours. You are encouraged to reach her at home by phone at 894-2413 (home) or 400-1162 (cell) or through her private and confidential email: [email protected].
Blue Point Congregational Church United Church of Christ Location: 236 Pine Point Road; Scarborough, Maine Mailing Address: 236 Pine Point Road; Scarborough, ME 04074-9246 Church Telephone 207-883-6540 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bluepointchurch.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluePointCongregationalChurch/ Twitter link https://twitter.com/church_blue Instagram link https://www.instagram.com/bluepointchurch/