Welcome to ICYMI Worship!  ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It, and our ICYMI series will give you 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.


Our Gathering song is O Worship the King

Our Meditation song is This is Amazing Grace

This week’s readings are:

Psalm 119:129-136

129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word—
how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
teach me the right way to live.
I cry rivers of tears
because nobody’s living by your book!

This week’s Gospel text is from Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46.

31-32 Jesus told another parable. “God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of time it grows into a huge shrub – as big as a tree – so large that birds come to nest in its branches. 33 He shared another parable. “God’s kingdom is like a small amount of yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises.” 44 He shared another. “God’s kingdom is like a treasure someone finds in a field. The finder is ecstatic – what a find! – and he proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.”  45-46 And one more. “God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless – more perfect and precious than any he’s ever encountered – he immediately sells everything and buys it.”

Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot:  Today we consider how some of the great truths of the Gospel are reveled through little things, like tiny seeds and a pinch of yeast. And how the value of God’s Word is beyond measure – worth our investing everything we have. Good things indeed sometimes come in small packages! The message today is based on parables recorded in the gospel of Matthew, the 13th chapter.

Today’s Musical Offering is O Praise the Name (Anástasis)

 

Prayers of the People – 7/30/17

Called together in the Spirit’s embrace, let us pray for the mending of God’s world, the mission of God’s people, and the needs of everyone everywhere. Each petition will end, “Lord, in your mercy” to which the congregation responds, “Hear our prayer.” We observe a brief time of silence for preparation.

God of wonder, you who brought forth all that is from nothing, remind us that even the smallest of things bear witness to your greatness. Open our eyes that we will not overlook invitations to see you in small daily blessings, little acts of kindness, young children and young adults, and those who the world considers of little worth. Plant again in us seeds of faith, and by your Spirit let them grow. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Cultivator of all that is good, nurture faith in those who doubt. Provide places and people who welcome strangers and skeptics with an openness that leads to relationships, conversations, and belief. Guide teachers and preachers of your church to be bold bold and humble as they speak your truth in love. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God our guide, raise up just and wise advocates, judges, and arbitrators from small-town courts to international tribunals. Enlighten all leaders to discern what is right and to do what is good. Bridge the chasms that divide the nations. Inspire a reconciling vision among the world’s leaders. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Healer and bringer of hope, embrace those who suffer. Give peace to all who are near death, hope to those who are depressed, shelter to the homeless, and healing to the sick including Anna Bero, Cheryl Buettemeier, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Mary Mehlum, Vernette Rae, and Marilyn Van Brero. Be near to them, and comfort them in their suffering and uncertainty. Lord in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Eternal Father, inspire us by the lives of all the saints who have followed your Son on the pathway of faith. Remember those who mourn, especially the family of Doug Dennison who gathered here yesterday for a service of Thanksgiving and Committal. Bring them peace in their sorrow, and hope beyond their sense of loss. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your care through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Our Communion song is 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.

 

And because there’s always something going on, the Announcements!

WELCOME TO WORSHIP! – Today we consider how some of the great truths of the Gospel are reveled through little things, like tiny seeds and a pinch of yeast. Welcome to all, and a special welcome to our visitors and guests.

CHURCH PICNIC TODAY – Please come to the Fellowship Hall (downstairs) immediately following the 10 am service for a time of fellowship, fried chicken, and fun. All are welcome!

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE – Our Summer Schedule runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (15 Sundays) with one combined service at 10 am. The service style varies. Sometimes we worship more like our Traditional service offered at 9 am the rest of the year. Other times summer Sundays are more like our Mosaic style, our casual 11 am service – like today’s service! Often there are elements of both, or a blend of the two. And from time to time during the summer we try some “holy experiments” and worship in completely unique and creative ways. That’s part of the fun of summer – being together and worshipping Jesus Christ in all kinds of styles. There are often fellowship and/or learning opportunities following the service as well.

PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS – This summer as we worship together, you’ll do a kindness to other members with whom you might not usually worship by wearing your name tag. It also allows the Communion Assistants to commune you by name. If you need a name tag, please contact Office Administrator Judy Giseburt in the office at 425-746-7300 or office@cofclc.net.

SUMMER ADULT FAITH FORMATION ON BREAK TODAY – so we can all attend the Congregational Picnic. Our study on “The Life and Letters of St. Peter” resumes next Sunday, continues through August, and concludes on September 3. We meet from 11:15 to noon in the Library.

ELEMENTAL WORSHIP: EARTH, WATER, WIND & FIRE – Pastor Dave begins a new sermon series next week based on some of the most powerful Biblical imagery of the basic elements of creation. We’ll explore how God and God’s mission are revealed through water, earth, wind and fire, with a deep appreciation of creation but with our worship reserved for the Creator. The four-part series continues through August 27.

WELCA BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY – All women of Cross of Christ and their guests are invited to this combined Bible Study from “Gather”, the magazine of the Women of the ELCA. We will be exploring Session 3: Upend the Tables – page 42 in the July/August edition of “Gather”. We hope you will join us 10 am in the Library. Please also note – the WELCA Board meeting will be 1 pm on Monday, August 28, in the Conference Room (204).

DON’T MISS THE BUS! The Good Start Back to School “bus” will be parked inside Cross of Christ through August 13 and that’s where you can deposit donations for school supplies. Consult the flyer above the box for an updated list of needed supplies. Checks for purchasing supplies should be made out to Cross of Christ with “Back to School” marked in the memo line. If you have questions please call Arlene Palmerton at 425-746-9599. For more information; log-on to www.congregations4kids.org.

BLAKE ISLAND TILLICUM EXCURSION – The Larks are planning an outing from Seattle’s Pier 54 to Blake Island on August 22. After an appetizer, the tour departs for a 45 minute boat ride to Blake Island and includes a Northwest Native American storytelling show and “Northwest Flavors” inspired buffet. You are free to explore the island until the return trip home. Check-in time at Pier 54 is 11 am, departure is 11:30 am, and the return to Seattle is 3:30 pm. The cost is $80.44 per person including the boat ride, meal, and entertainment. Please make your reservation payment to Heidi Fine. For more information please call or email Heidi – 425-885-6750 or finealso@comcast.net. A sign-up sheet will be at the Information Desk. We hope you can enjoy us for this great summer experience.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – Will you be traveling this summer or otherwise unable to attend worship? Take a peek at a new feature on our blog: ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It, and it’s a brief roundup of our worship service each week that includes the readings, hymns, Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot, the prayers, and announcements. You can learn more via a link on the Cross of Christ Facebook page or at http://www.crossofchristbellevue.org/category/icymi-worship/.

Our sending songs are Micah 6:8 and Thy Word

 


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!

One Comment

  1. Barbara Fenkner

    Prayers for Cheyl, Mark and Emily. Mark is my twin sister’s son.