Welcome to ICYMI Worship!  ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.

At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.


TODAY IS THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST


“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”

Christian Motivational Speaker and heart and lung transplant recipient Mark Black


“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:30-31

 

GATHERING LITANY

As we gather on this Sabbath Sunday, we come to the God of Rest and Restoration, asking the Lord to hush our hearts, still our souls, and calm the chaos, that we may rest in the Divine. 

Amen, Come Gracious God.

The God who created and rested from creation built rhythm into the world – day and night, times and seasons, work and rest, worship and mission, gathering and sending.

Amen, Come Heavenly Father.

Our weekly gatherings are set to a holy, God-ordained rhythm. The Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us as through signs and symbols, seasons and festivals, rituals and rites, reminding us of the gospel story, the story of grace, hope, love, and peace.

Amen, Come Loving Lord.

Once more we are called together this Sabbath day. Once more we will praise our God. Once more by God’s grace we will be filled. Once more in Christ’s name we will be sent out to share and to serve.

Amen, Come Gentle Spirit.

May the collection of holy practices handed down to us – adoration, confession, assurance; scripture, prayer, reflection; sharing the peace, the bread, the wine; blessing, sending, singing – be means of grace through which God brings us rest, rhythm, and restoration.

Amen, Come Holy Trinity – Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. Come.

 

GATHERING SONG

“Holden Evening Prayer: Procession and Evening Hymn”

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Heavenly Father, you bid us come near to you, as your beloved children, to sit in stillness and peace in your presence. Enable our faith to grow, trusting you more each day. This we pray in the name of the One who taught us to delight in your will and walk in your ways, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

THIS WEEK’S READING

Psalm 37:7-9   

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
    do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
    over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
    Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.



PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “Damam – Rest in the Lord”

As we continue our series on “Rest, Rhythm and Restoration” our word and principle today is about silence – in worship, but even more so, in our approach before our God.

Silence is another biblical pathway to rest and restoration.  The Hebrew word is Damam, which most literally means to be silent, to be still, to wait, and to not speak.  Damam is found 30 times in the Old Testament.  Sometimes it’s used in what I would call a positive sense – as in worship, when people are silent as they ponder the awesomeness of God.  Sometimes the sense might be described as negative – the Old Testament uses Damam to describe how the enemies of God’s people respond or ought to respond in light of God’s awesome acts of deliverance or God’s demands for justice and mercy.

SONG OF THE DAY

“Holden Evening Prayer: Psalm 25”

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Today’s prayers were the petitions from the Holden Evening Prayer service as sung in the video.

COMMUNION SONG

“Holy Communion”

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

INVITATION TO COMMUNION – At Cross of Christ and throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we practice Open Communion. You will hear the Assisting Minster make this open invitation with the words, “All are welcome at the Lord’s Table. Christ is the host; we extend his invitation to all.” Please be invited to join us. Please also feel comfortable if you decide to not receive Holy Communion today.  Most Sundays we come forward to receive the bread and the wine. If you would like to receive Communion where you are seated, please let the ushers who are assisting know your preference.  We would be happy and honored to bring the Communion elements to you.

YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION – Adult Faith Formation meets after worship, from 11:15 to noon, in the Library. Pastor Dave is our guide as we continue our series on the book of Acts.  Join us!

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL RETURN SOON! – Children’s Sunday School is taking the summer off and returning September 8. We look forward to growing in faith together! Sunday School is for kids age 4 through 10.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHEDULE NEARING END – After today there are only two more Summer Sundays of Combined Worship before we return to our expanded two-service schedule on September 8, with Traditional Worship at 9 am and our casual Mosaic ser ice at 11 am.  Please mark your calendars!

LWR SCHOOL KITS – Our drive has begun to help children around the world with school supplies.  Wide-rule 70 sheet spiral notebooks are available for about 25 cents each at many stores.  These can be placed in the bin in the Narthex, or in the Gathering Room (202). Our greatest need is funding the bulk supplies we’re purchasing.  Please make checks payable to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church and write “LWR School Kits” on the memo line.  If you wish to help put supplies together, contact Monnie at 425-746-8604.  Thank you.

ROOF TRUSS UPDATE – We’re getting closer to work beginning to repair and bolster the Sanctuary roof trusses. Our construction firm anticipates beginning work on September 9. The project is expected to take about four weeks. At this time it appears that we will have use of the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on weekends – although if need be, alternative arrangements have been made for worship. You will receive a letter from Church Council soon with more details.  Please keep this project in your prayers.

GRIEF GROUP GATHERS WEDNESDAY – at 10 am in the Gathering Room (202). Pastor Dave brings a devotion and conversation starters to this warm, welcoming, confidential group open to all.  August’s theme is “Remembrances.” All are welcome.

SOPHIA WAY LUNCHEON – SAVE THE DATE!  – We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 15, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Bellevue.  Sophia Way is hoping to host 700 people this year, so please sign up early, and invite your friends!  Save your place online at  https://sophiaway.org/luncheon-2019/ or contact your table host, Dorinda Otto.  Come by yourself or bring a group of friends.

10th ANNUAL CFH LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER – Thursday, September 19, you are invited to an inspirational afternoon of giving to support the path from homelessness to stable living with Congregations for the Homeless. Doors open early at 10:30 am at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 1717 Bellevue Way NE, for a meet-and-greet coffee hour. The luncheon begins at 11:30 am. There is no cost to attend the luncheon. However, all guests will be invited to make a gift to support CFH. Suggested minimum donation is $150.  To register please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/congregations-for-the-homeless-2019-fundraiser-tickets-63299114355.  If you would like to be seated at a Cross of Christ table select a CofC table captain when you register online. We really hope to see you this year!

SENIOR LUNCHEON TOPICS – This fall Cross of Christ will host three luncheons sponsored by local care providers on topics relevant to seniors.  These are free and you are welcome to invite family, friends or neighbors who also may be interested.  Each luncheon will be from 11:30 am-1 pm on the third Monday of the month.  RSVPs are helpful.  Contact Pastor Judy if you have any questions.

Sep 16 – How Do You Know It’s Time To Move? – sponsored by Aegis at Overlake

Oct 21-   Senior Living 101 – sponsored by Sunrise of Bellevue

Nov 18 – Crisis File Presentation: How to prepare for a senior care crisis before it happens – sponsored by Aegis of Bellevue.

 

NAME TAGS ARE SIGNS OF WELCOME – You’re encouraged to wear your Cross of Christ name tag to worship each Sunday. This simple act helps people get to know one another, is welcoming for guests, and is greatly appreciated by the pastor (who, try as he might, occasionally temporarily forgets names!). If you have misplaced your name tag, or haven’t received one but would like to, Office Administrator Judy Giseburt would happily make you one. Contact Judy in the office at 425-746-7300 or at office@cofclc.net.

RECYCLING IS A GOOD WAY TO BE A GOOD STEWARD – Thanks for recycling while at Cross of Christ! The blue receptacles are for recyclables only.  What’s a recyclable?  Most items made of plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal can be recycled.  Common items at church that can and should be recycled: used Bulletins (but not Announcements which we collect and have available throughout the week at the Information Desk), empty and dry paper coffee and water cups, Starbucks and similar empty and dry cups and lids (but not straws), and empty plastic water bottles. What are items often found in the blue recycle bins at church that should be placed in trash bins instead? Used facial tissues, used napkins and paper towels, non-empty paper coffee cups, non-empty water bottles and non-empty/clean Starbucks cups, food trash, food-soiled plates, bags and boxes, and all forms of Styrofoam. Plastic bags – like from grocery stores – also can’t be placed in the recycle bins. They should be taken to your local grocery store that collects and recycles them. In Bellevue and in many other places, recyclables must be “empty, clean and dry.” Items that could be recycled – like paper plates or cups – that are not empty, clean, and dry not only can’t be recycled, but potentially ruin other items in the recycle bin. Food and liquids in recyclables can allow mold to grow, which make the materials unacceptable for recycling.  Additionally, items that are not empty, clean, and dry have to be hand removed from the recycle bins by our “pastodian” who would greatly appreciate your help in making and keeping good recycling practices. Let’s be good recyclers, and good stewards! Thank you!

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, and Marilyn Van Brero.

BENEDICTION

May God give us rest when we are weary,
May God guide us to live with holy rhythm,
May God grant us restoration and renewal,
That we may delight in God’s will, and walk in God’s ways,
To the glory of Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

SENDING SONG

“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3GY9D975Tw

 


By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to

Worship God

Grow in Faith

Share the Gospel

Serve others, and

Welcome all.

Thanks be to God!

 

 

Comments are closed.