Bulletin for Sunday, August 22, 2021

Wonder

Have you ever seen the wonder
In the glimmer of first sight
As the eyes begin to open
And the blindness meets the light
If you have so say

I see the world in light
I see the world in wonder
I see the world in life
Bursting in living color
I see the world Your way
And I’m walking in the light

Have you ever seen the wonder
In the air of second life
Having come out of the waters
With the old one left behind
If you have so say

I see the world in light
I see the world in wonder
I see the world in life
Bursting in living color
I see the world Your way
And I’m walking in the light

(Ooh I say) I see the world in grace
I see the world in gospel
I see the world Your way
And I’m walking in the light

I’m walking in the wonder
You’re the wonder in the wild
Turning wilderness to wonder

(Ooh I say) I see the world in love
I see the world in freedom
I see the Jesus way
You’re the wonder in the wild

I see the world Your way
And I’m not afraid to follow
I see the world Your way
And I’m not ashamed to say so
I see the Jesus way
And I’m walking in the light

I see the world in light
I see the world in wonder
I see the world in life
Bursting in living color
I see the world Your way
And I’m walking in the light

Ooh, I say, I see the world in grace
I see the world in gospel
I see the world Your way
And I’m walking in the light
I’m walking in the wonder
You’re the wonder in the wild
Turning wilderness to wonder

(Ooh I say) I see the world in love
I see the world in freedom
I see the Jesus way
You’re the wonder in the wild

Turning wilderness to wonder
You’re the wonder in the wild
Turning wilderness to wonder

RESPONSIVE PRAYER

Congregation reads portions in bold.

Come, show us how you are dwelling in those places of our lives where we have forgotten to welcome you.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, take us to the place where you are moving us toward change and a deeper relationship with you.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, help us believe in the possibility of resurrecting what has hidden itself from our path of growth.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, shake free whatever keeps us from accepting your invitation to be transformed.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, strengthen our faith, cultivate our hope, and widen our love.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, draw us into the stillness essential for an alive and open awareness of your presence.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, keep us mindful of the larger world, one in urgent need of our compassion and dedicated care.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, be a healing presence for those who suffer, and those for whom we have promised to pray.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Come, our minds and hearts are alert, ready to welcome you home.
Restore my awareness of your light-filled presence.

Holy One, awaken my heart. Quiet my mind. Draw back the veil of my illusions to perceive your presence. Settle what stirs endlessly within me. Hush the voice of haste and hurry. Awaken my inner senses to recognize your love hiding beneath the frenzy. Enfold me in your attentiveness. Wrap a mantle of mindfulness around every part of my days. I want to welcome you with joy and focus on your dwelling place. Amen.

The Kingdom is Yours

Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars

Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden
Open to the healing touch of God

The Kingdom is yours
The Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord
Keep your eyes on Him

Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed
Serving with unguarded gratitude

Blessed are the ones who fight for justice
Longing for the coming day of peace
Blessed is the soul
that thirsts for righteousness
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least

The Kingdom is yours
The Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord
Keep your eyes on Him

The Kingdom is yours
The Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord
Keep your eyes on Him

 

Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere
Though they fall, they’ll never know defeat

The Kingdom is yours
The Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord
Keep your eyes on Him

The Kingdom is yours
The Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord
Keep your eyes on Him

Steadfast

I will build my house
Whether storm or drought
On the rock that does not move
I will set my hope
In your love, O Lord
And Your faithfulness will prove

You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast

By the word You spoke
All the starry host
Are called out by name each night
In Your watchful care
I will rest secure
As You lead me with Your light

You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast

I will not trust in the strength of kings
On Your promise I will stand
I will shout for joy, I will raise my voice
Hallelujah to the Lamb!

You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast

In the moment of emptiness
All was fulfilled
In the hour of darkness
Your light was revealed

In the presence of death
Your life was affirmed
In the absence of holiness
You are still God

You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast

Your Love is Strong

Heavenly Father You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
in my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
to live through the day

And forgive me as I forgive
the people that wronged me
Keep me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow
And stare at the flowers

Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
(repeat 4x)

The kingdom of the heavens
is now advancing
Invade my heart Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
is buried treasure

Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?
Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
(repeat 4x)

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven

Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
——————

Reader: The word of the Lord.
Ekklesia: Thanks be to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s not biblical manhood that men should aspire to but Christlike manhood. If we only speak of biblical manhood, who is our pattern? Abraham? Moses? David? Elijah? With their propensity for deceit, anger, adultery, and violence? No, Jesus alone is our model of redeemed manhood.” – Brian Zahnd

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.”

“Jesus is what God has to say.” – Brian Zahnd

me’OD

An Adverb is a word that comes alongside other words to augment their meaning.

and, behold, it was me’OD good. – Gen 1:31
the waters became me’OD mighty – Gen 7:18
Cain became me’OD angry – Gen 4:5
Saul and all Israel were me’OD happy – 1 Sam 11:15

Jacob became me’OD me’OD wealthy — Gen 30:43
The land is me’OD me’OD good — Num 14:7

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your me’od.’

It is hard to resist the temptation of working out our theology so that it accommodates our excesses.

 

Practice

1) What is your me’OD thing? What is your much-ness? Maybe it’s photography or math or card tricks or cooking or hiking or crafting or hosting parties or attending parties or decorating or woodworking. Take some time this week or perhaps even later today to list them out. It’s sort of like a count your blessings exercise.

2) What are some ways these me’OD parts of your personality can be a part of loving God and neighbor? Because all of them can.

3) Identify two people in your life. One who is easy to love, and another who is hard to love. Using your much-ness, how can you show love to these people this week? What is the next right thing you can do in these two relationships? And if you’re willing, send me an email with your story.

Christ Be All Around Me

As I rise, strength of God
Go before, lift me up
As I wake, eyes of God
Look upon, be my sight

As I wait, heart of God
Satisfy and sustain
As I hear, voice of God
Lead me on, be my guide
Be my guide

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

As I go, Hand of God
My defense, by my side
And as I rest, breath of God
Fall upon, bring me peace
Bring me peace

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

Oh oh, oh oh
Christ be all around me
Oh oh, oh oh
Christ be all around me

Your life, Your death
Your blood was shed
For every moment
Every moment

Your life, Your death
Your blood was shed
For every moment
Every moment

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

Oh oh, oh oh
Christ be all around me
Oh oh, oh oh
Christ be all around me

Holy Water

God, I’m on my knees again
God, I’m begging please again
I need You
Oh, I need You

Walking down these desert roads
Water for my thirsty soul
I need You
Oh, I need You

Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like Holy water on my skin

Dead man walking, slave to sin
I wanna know about being born again
I need You
Oh, God, I need You

So, take me to the riverside
Take me under, baptize
I need You
Oh, God, I need You

Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like Holy water on my skin

I don’t wanna abuse Your grace
God, I need it every day
It’s the only thing that ever really
Makes me wanna change

Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like Holy water

Your forgiveness
Is like sweet, sweet honey
On my lips
Like the sound of a symphony
To my ears
Like Holy water on my skin

like Holy water on my skin
like Holy water on my skin