Gathering Music

“Amazing Grace”

Call to Worship

One: The heavens declare the glory of the Holy One; the firmament declares God’s handiwork
Many: We stand in awe of your mighty acts
One: God of our salvation, who makes the gateways of evening and morning sing for joy
Many: You visit the earth and enrich its abundance
One: The Holy One drenches us in goodness – even the desert pastures drip with it
Many: May we be like the hills, dressed in your joy!

Hymn of Welcome

“Canticle of the Turning”

Scripture

Mark 6:30-42 (NRSV)

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled

One: The Word of God for the people of God
Many: Thanks be to God

Homily

“Redeeming Deserted Places”

Pastor Heber Brown, III

Anthem

“Somebody Prayed for Me” by Dorothy Norwood

Seminary Choir

Table Liturgy

One:
We are hungry. We come searching for something to fill us. We have tasted a crumb of God’s goodness, and we want more. Jesus meets us here. The Holy One says: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.” “I am the bread of life,” says Jesus. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is God’s table. Jesus invites us to trust the divine and to share this feast prepared by God.

In our desert places, O God, you bring us bread for every day. In our thirsty times, you break open wells of new life. But you don’t just work in metaphors. You give us real food, real water, real air. You keep us alive.

Many: Thank you, O God.

One:
When we turn from you, you do not abandon us. You call us back to you and challenge us to be faithful. You turn us toward those in need. You teach us how to live. When we fall short, you forgive us.

Many: Thank you, O God.

One:
God of the universe, we look forward to the day when we will feast with you in a new heaven and new earth, without tears, without pain, without dying. Until then, pour out your Holy Spirit on us. Make us one in Christ. Send us out to be your hands and feet in ways big and small, with courage and hope.

Many: We pray all this through Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who taught us how to pray, singing …

“Sung Lord’s Prayer”

One:
On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Come now for all things are ready. There is room at this table for all.

Music During Communion

“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”

“Blest Are They”

Blessing

Pastor Heber Brown, III

Sending

“What Does the Lord Require of You?”

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship: adapted from Psalm 19 and Psalm 65

Communion Liturgy: adapted from the UKirk Worship Resource https://ukirk.pcusa.org/page/uworship/