Welcome to Bethel, the “House of God”… We believe that Christ is truly present when we gather as the Church. The table before you is the Lord's table where Christ is the Host. He welcomes all to eat with him. To everyone who seeks his love and forgiveness today, he says, “Come”. Welcome Prelude “Patriotic Medley” Gathering Prayers In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. God of heaven and earth, you come in close and make us yours. Guide us by your Spirit to confess our sin, embrace your forgiveness, and seek the way you set before us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. With honesty of heart, let us confess our sin. Silence for reflection. Merciful God, forgive us. Our will is bound to sin, and we cannot break free. We have spoken when we should have kept quiet. Silence. We were silent when we should have said something. Silence. We acted when we knew better. Silence. We were still when we know we should have moved. Silence. For the wrong we have done, for the good we have failed to do, have mercy on us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. People of God, look to the Son, given to heal you and set you free. Amen. Opening Hymn “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel I was standing by my window Will the circle be unbroken On one cold and cloudy day By and by, Lord, by and by When I saw that hearse come rolling There's a better home a-waiting For to carry my mother away In the sky, Lord, in the sky Will the circle be unbroken I went back home Lord, my home was lonesome By and by, Lord, by and by Missed my mother, she was gone There's a better home a-waiting All of my brothers, sisters crying In the sky, Lord, in the sky What a home so sad and lone I said to that undertaker Will the circle be unbroken Undertaker please drive slow By and by, Lord, by and by For this lady you are carrying There's a better home a-waiting Lord, I hate to see her go In the sky, Lord, in the sky Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Kyrie Prayer for the Day As we walk, God, be our way. As we learn, God, be our truth. As we grow, God, be our life. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen Reading: Ezekiel 2:1-5 1[A voice] said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.2And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. 3He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 4The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” 5Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 123 1To you I lift up my eyes, to you enthroned in the heavens. 2As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to you, O Lord our God, until you show us your mercy. 3Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, for we have had more than enough of contempt, 4too much of the scorn of the in-dolent rich, and of the derision of the proud. Gospel Acclamation Gospel: Mark 6:1-13 Response: “Glory to You, O Lord” 1[Jesus] came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.2On 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! 3Is 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. 4Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If 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.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Pastor: “The Gospel of the Lord” Response: “Praise to You, O Christ” Sermon Pastor Amy Beveridge Sermon Hymn “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” #712 1 Lord, whose love in humble service 3 As we worship, grant us vision, bore the weight of human need, till your love's revealing light who upon the cross, forsaken, in its height and depth and greatness worked your mercy's perfect deed: dawns upon our quickened sight, we, your servants, bring the worship making known the needs and burdens not of voice alone, but heart; your compassion bids us bear, consecrating to your purpose stirring us to ardent service, ev'ry gift which you impart. your abundant life to share. 2 Still your children wander homeless; 4 Called by worship to your service, still the hungry cry for bread; forth in your dear name we go, still the captives long for freedom; to the child, the youth, the aged, still in grief we mourn our dead. love in living deeds to show; As you, Lord, in deep compassion hope and health, good will and comfort, healed the sick and freed the soul, counsel, aid and peace we give, by your Spirit send your power that your servants, Lord, in freedom to our world to make it whole. may your mercy know and live. Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and Earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Closing Prayer Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. 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, forever and ever. Amen Blessing The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, be upon you now and forever. Amen. Sending Hymn “The Unclouded Day” by Josiah K. Alwood Oh, they tell me of a home far beyond the skies, Oh, they tell me of a home far away; Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise, Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day. Refrain: Oh, the land of cloudless day, Oh, the land of an unclouded sky, Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise, Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day. Oh, they tell me of a home where my friends have gone, Oh, they tell me of that land far away, Where the tree of life in eternal bloom Sheds its fragrance through the unclouded day. Oh, they tell me of a King in His beauty there, And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow, In the city that is made of gold.