Sunday, July 19, 2020

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetuate it“
-M. L. King, Jr.

Good morning FCCG! Our Joys, Concerns and Announcements this week include:

• Birthdays this week: Alec Fenne (July 21), Jack Buchanan (July 22), Dave Valentine (July 24) and Molly and John Connolly’s Anniversary (July 19). Let us know if we missed your birthday or anniversary!
• Although we have resumed meeting at church for services, our weekly bulletin blog will continue for the next 12 to 18 months, so don’t worry if you are in a high risk category and feel safer at home, we’ll still be here for you.

Introit ………………………………………………….. Old Church Choir by Zach Williams

CALL TO WORSHIP       
We cry out to God for the help we need.
How will we know we have been heard?
God stands with us through life’s trials and temptations. 
God sends visions of new possibilities.
Here we stand watch for God’s appearing.
Together we seek a presence and aspire after truth.
Surely God is in this place and will give us understanding.
God is recalling us to the values we seek to uphold.
God’s righteousness is everlasting, and God’s law is truth.
Listen to all God would teach us; hear the word of God.
We seek to grow in faith and in love for one another.
We would learn to do good and to work for justice.

OPENING HYMN ……………………………………….. #Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

PRAYER OF INVOCATION
All around us, O God, we see trouble and wrongdoing.  Our world is consumed by violence and destruction. Even your church, O God, does not escape strife and contention.  The iniquity of our generation hangs heavy upon us.  We worship you amidst turmoil that lies close at hand. Hear us, God of all people. Hear our longing for a new day in which your reign of love is established among us.  Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The evil abroad is not far from any of us.  We who claim to have found a better way of life in Jesus Christ are called to extend life saving faith to others.  Yet it is so easy to interact with anger, resentment, and self interest instead. Let us confess our sin before God and one another, and may God have mercy.
May Christ have mercy.
May God have mercy.
O God, we face our world with cowardice. We would rather avoid danger than take a stand against injustice. We want to enjoy privileges not available to others.  We wish to keep away from all the cries for help that bombard us.  The problems around us are overwhelming.  The distress within us is staggering.  Now, in this hour together, we cry out for help.  We want to be your people.  We want to live with a clean conscience and right spirit.  Transform us, O God. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear now these words of assurance:
Commit your ways to God.  Be still and trust, for God will act to transform us when we pray.  Refrain from anger and forsake wrath, for they have no place in God’s realm.  Open yourselves instead to the grace, mercy, and peace God offers.  Great is the faithfulness of our God.

Glory Patri ……………………………………………………………………………………… #35

All readings are from the English Standard Version bible.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON …………………………………….. Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4  

Marion Gibney reads the Old Testament lesson

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end —  it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

PSALTER …………………………………………………… from Psalm 119

Evan Fenne reads the Psalter Lesson

Happy are those whose way is blameless,
   who walk in the law of God.
Happy are those who keep Gods decrees,
   who seek God with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
   but walk in God’s ways.
You have commanded your precepts
   to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
   in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
   having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
   when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
   do not utterly forsake me.

EPISTLE LESSON ……………………………………….. Philippians 4:4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

HYMN ……………………………………………………………………………… #642 How Long?

GOSPEL LESSON ………………………………………………………….. Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

SERMON ………………………………. ………………………. Rev. Rebecca Clancy

SPECIAL MUSIC ……………………………….. Reach Out to Jesus, by Elvis Presley

TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Our resources allow us the joyous opportunity to invest in ways that will make a difference in the lives of others.  In the church, we are committed to sharing our faith and the blessings of the Holy Spirit.
We are grateful to you, O God, for the faith we have inherited.  We give thanks for the courage and faithfulness of ancestors who suffered for the gospel that we might know your love.  We join them in putting our trust in you.  May we match their generosity and self discipline, seeking above all else to know your will and do it.  To that end, we dedicate our offerings.  Amen.

Click here for our online giving portal.

CLOSING HYMN …………………………………………………………… #649 Give Thanks

Benediction
May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are apart one from the other, Amen.

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers this week:

• Nancy Hannah’s friend, Sharon (illness);
• Marilyn Cuscaden (illness);
• Jodi Holleran’s mom (illness);
• Mercedes Nuss (illness);
• Kelsey’s friend, Ryan (illness);
• Jess Reddy’s friend, Keeley (illness);
• John Connolly and family, (death of his sister Carol);
• Sue Cechner’s friend, John (Illness);
• Danièle Gibney’s friend, Pam – extra prayers (illness);
• Barb and Dick Sharp’s friend, Alice (illness);
• Carolyn and Gail’s son, Collin (unit deployed to Afganistan);
• Lisa Peterson (illness);
• Linda Moran (illness);
• Gao Clancy (illness);
• Keith Dobbin and family (death of Keith’s brother);
• Faith DiMaria’s brother, Steve, and family (illness);
• The Connolly Family (lots of prayers);
• Those affected by violence as well as those serving in the military;