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 Spirit of Gentleness (ELW #396)
This week’s readings are:
Jeremiah 10:1-2, 10, 12-13 (NRSV)
1 Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the nations, or be dismayed at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are dismayed at them.10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.12 It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 13 When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and he brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Psalm 148:1-13 (NRSV)
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
Praise the LORD fire and hail, snow and frost, you stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Praise him, mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars!
Praise him, wild animals and livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth – praise the LORD!
Young men and women alike, old and young together – praise the LORD!
Let everyone praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is
exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven. Praise the LORD!
Ephesians 4:14-16 (NRSV)
14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
The Gospel Acclamation today is Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (ELW #858 vs. 1, 4)
The Concordia College choir shows us once again that Lutheran colleges have incredible music programs.
This week’s Gospel text is from John 3:1-8 (The Message)
There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t with them.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” Nicodemus was surprised, replying, “How can anyone be born a second time who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not hearing what I’m saying. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”
Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: We focus today on wind, and its strong Biblical connection with the Spirit or Breath of God. The Genesis creation account tells us that it was a holy wind, God’s breath, that blew over the face of the earth in the beginning. In creating the church, the Holy Spirit blew into Jerusalem at the first Christian Pentecost like a mighty wind. Jesus in our Gospel lesson today likens God’s spirit to a wind which one cannot see nor control, but the effects of which are obvious to all. May we be refilled with the breath of God today as the Spirit gathers us in worship.
Our Hymn of the Day is God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind (ELW #824)
This is worth a listen, if for no other reason than the incredible organ introduction!
Prayers of the People – 8/20/17
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. Like a refreshing breeze, allow your Spirit to enliven us, and raise our appreciation for the grandeur and glory of your handiwork. Fill us with gratitude for the gifts of nature, and stir us to be more faithful stewards of air, water, land and all natural resources. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Almighty God, who brings forth the winds from your storehouses, grant favorable weather for farms and fields, that bountiful harvests of grains, vegetables, fruit, and all crops will feed many. Grant relief to parched lands, especially in East Africa, where millions are at risk of starvation due to prolonged drought conditions. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Gentle voice in the stillness, open our ears to hear you calling us to do justice and to love kindness. Let us speak clearly and consistently your message of mercy and kindness, and just as clearly to speak in opposition to hatred, prejudice, racism, and terror. We continue to remember the victims of violence and intimidation in Charlottesville, Virginia. We stand united with all who work for peace, liberty, and justice for all. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Breathe of Life, comfort those who suffer. Bring healing to the ill and injured, peace to all who are near death, consolation to the sorrowful, and hope to the discouraged. We remember those who have asked for our prayers – 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 Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (ELW #470)
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!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION SERIES ON PETER – meets today following worship in the Library, as we look at the New Testament book of 2 Peter. While only three chapters long, this little letter is filled with advice on Godly living, the foundational authority of Scripture, warnings against false teachers, and reassurance of the promised return of Christ. Join us from 11:15 to noon. Next week we’ll do a “fly-over” of some of the major events n the life of Peter recorded in the Gospel of Mark and in the book of Acts.
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 – like today’s service. Other times summer Sundays are more like our Mosaic style, our casual 11 am 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.
BLAKE ISLAND TILLICUM EXCURSON TUESDAY – Come join the Larks for a fun outing on Tuesday, from Seattle’s Pier 54 to Blake Island. 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. It’s not too late to join the group. 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.
BLACKBERRY SEASON – While we may complain about them the rest of the year, and struggle to keep them cut back, the wild blackberry bushes on campus are just entering the peak of fruit-bearing season. Members are more than welcome to pick berries for their personal use. The most accessible bushes are located in the back behind the picnic/amphitheater area, and along the more eastern driveway from NE 6th Street. Happy picking!
THANKS FOR THE OFFICE HELP – for those who came to Pastor Dave’s rescue, saving him from a mountain of unfiled papers! Thanks also to others who volunteered after the work was done. Don’t worry – Pastor Dave is bound to need your help again in the future!
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.
SUBSTITUTES NEEDED FOR THE ARK – The Ark Early Learning Center at Cross of Christ is looking for substitutes. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call Co-Directors Jan Galbraith or Solange Silva at 425-644-5414 for more information. Check out our website: www.thearkatcofc.org.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – Please be careful if you are planning to observe the solar eclipse tomorrow. Only observe this amazing event if you have NASA approved protected glasses, and then only when using them as instructed. Safe travels to those heading south to get in, or closer to, the “zone of totality”! Pastor Dave is traveling to southcentral Washington, as much for some wine tasting as for the eclipse. He’ll be out of the office on Monday, returning Tuesday morning.
THANK YOU FROM ELLIE DENNISON – The Garden of Remembrance was a beautiful setting for Doug’s memorial service. Our thanks to Pastor Dave for his words of comfort and thanks also to the ladies and all who made this day a day to remember. Ellie and Laurie Dennison
Our sending song is The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve (ELW #551)
Here’s an uptempo handbell rendition of the hymn tune, AZMON.
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!
