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.
This week we continue a month of celebrating the wonders of God’s creation.
Our Gathering song is For the Beauty of the Earth
This week’s readings are:
Isaiah 12:1-6
Revelation 7:13-17
13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal ;they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Gospel Acclamation this week is the hymn Holy Holy Holy.
Our web editor and Youth and Family Programs Coordinator, Kristie, had to add her favorite version as well.
This week’s Gospel text is from Matthew 14:22-33
The Song of the Day this week is Down to the River.
Prayers of the People – 8/13/17
In worship and trust in God our Creator, let us pray for the Earth, its lands and inhabitant, for the church, and for the needs of all people. 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, open our eyes to see you in the wonders of creation. Grant wisdom to scientists in their research of the world, of life, of the universe, of the smallest particles, of the great mysteries. Bless those who dedicate themselves to the protection of land, water, air, plants, animals, and human life. Stir in us gratitude, and a renewed desire to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to our care. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Maker of land and seas, we pray for good weather, bountiful harvests, and equitable practices, that all people might share in the beauty and bounty of your earth. We remember farm workers, packers, truckers, grocers, and all whose labor provides us food. We continue to pray for the people of East Africa at risk of starvation due to prolonged drought conditions. Grant relief to parched lands and people. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Healer and bringer of hope, embrace those who suffer. Bring healing to the ill and injured, peace to all who are near death, hope to those who battle addiction, patience to those who await the results of medical tests, and comfort for the sick, including Anna Bero, Cheryl Buettemeier, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Mary Mehlum, Iris Schiffer, Vernette Rae, and Marilyn Van Brero. Lord in your mercy.
hear our prayer.
All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, we pray, trusting in your mercy and wisdom, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Communion song is Behold the Lamb
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!
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 – as with 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.
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS – Thank you to all who donated backpacks and school supplies toward the “Good Start Back to School” drive, in support of low-income families in the Bellevue School District. We will bless these backpacks and supplies in worship today.
CofC’s OWN MARIE SCHOTT IN MUSICAL - “Dear Edwina” is a spunky, fun, upbeat musical production based on “Dear Abby” being performed this week at Redmond High School Performing Art Center by Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts. Marie is part of the spirited cast for this lighthearted musical geared toward children – but the young at heart of any age will enjoy it as well. Performances are at 7 pm Thursday and Friday, and 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets available at the door or in advance online via Brown Paper Tickets.
THIRD SATURDAY HIKERS – will be traveling north on Saturday to hike the hills of Artist Point, enjoying beautiful views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shushkin as well as the company of good friends, new and old. Want to join, or to learn more – ask Erik Paulson.
BLAKE ISLAND TILLICUM EXCURSON – The Larks are planning an outing from Seattle’s Pier 54 to Blake Island on August 22. 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.
NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR IN SEATTLE – Friday, September 29, 7:30 pm, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. The concert is free – an offering will be collected to benefit Imagine Housing and the Compass Housing Alliance. The concert is sponsored by the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA as part our Synod’s celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.
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 by visiting the Cross of Christ Facebook page and clinking on a link to ICYMI, or at http://www.crossofchristbellevue.org/category/icymi-worship/.
REMEMBRANCE WALL – Now is a great time to put new inscriptions in the Remembrance Wall. The wall gives us opportunities to honor or remember special people or special events in our or their lives. Ideas are marriage, anniversaries, baptisms, graduations, honor parents or family, military, and other memorable events. Take a look at the current wall and the memories it contains. Give it some thought and you, too, will think of something or someone to celebrate (hooray). Folders on cost and procedure are available at the Information Desk. You can call Sandra Volkman 425-644- 9604 or Lee Thompson 425-746-9128 or others on the Garden of Remembrance Committee to learn more. An order will be sent in for new requests on September 18. We have several ready to go already and many of you have said you are considering it. Decision time is now. We can have many sandblasted at the same time. What a blast that will be!
CROSSCURRENTS DEADLINE – Please have your articles to the office by Wednesday. The next CrossCurrents for September and October will be published September 1.
BLESSED ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY PASTOR DAVE – Pastor marks 15 years of ordained ministry on Friday. Many blessings as you continue to serve God and God’s people!
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!
its a good service makes me grow spiritual Strong. how can I get this scripts every day?
Thanks for your comment! We publish our ICYMI Worship every Sunday after our weekly worship services.