Gathering Music

Zion Still Sings #34 “In the Sanctuary”

Call to Worship

Cathy Wilcox

One: You came to us, Word made flesh,
Many: to show us what it means to love.
One: You came to us, Word made flesh,
Many: to teach us how to serve.
One: You came to us, Word made flesh,
Many: to clothe the naked and feed the hungry.
One: Come to us now, Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.
Many: Show us. Teach us. Clothe us. Feed us.

Hymn of Welcome

UMH #264 “Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit”

Scripture

Cathy Wilcox

Mark 7:24-30 (NRSV)

24 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Sermon

“The Woman Who Saved Jesus”

Dr. Gary V. Simpson

Sung Response

Mark A. Miller

Prayers of the People

Kelsey Wallace

One:
God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. Today we pray for the whole of creation. We ask that you overthrow what is evil in this world, right what is wrong, and satisfy those who thirst for justice. We ask for blessings upon the vulnerable in our midst and pray that we may be bearers your mercy and grace.

One: Bless those who have no hope;
Many: make your home with them.
One: Bless those who grieve;
Many: strengthen them with gladness in the midst of heartache.
One: Bless those who have been brought low;
Many: remind them that they are your children.
One: Bless those who long for things to be made right;
Many: fill them with a vision of your future.
One: Bless those who hunger and thirst;
Many: move us to share.
One: Bless those who show mercy;
Many: may they experience your grace.
One: Bless those who work for peace;
Many: assure them that they are not alone.

One:
Pour out your blessing on those gathered here. Give us the courage to pray without ceasing, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. 

Many: Amen.

Sending Forth

Zion Still Sings #141 “Guide My Feet”

Blessing

Dr. Gary V. Simpson

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) UKirk Worship Resource https://ukirk.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/ukirk/uworshipresource.pdf

Prayers of the People adapted by Kelsey Wallace from:

• Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, from 21st Century Worship Resources for
  the Twenty-First Sunday Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Copyright 2009 General Board of Discipleship. All Rights Reserved. Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) UKirk Worship Resource https://ukirk.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/ukirk/uworshipresource.pdf
• A Brief Statement of Faith in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Confessions (2017).