Theme: Working Within Our Limitations
ORDER OF SERVICE
Note: All hymns are from the new Voices Together hymnal
PART 1: ONLINE
Centering chimes
Lighting of the Solidarity lamp –
Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with IELEDIR (formerly EDR)
Prelude- End of the Tunnel by Pete Shungu
Hymn #764: Oh, for a Thousand Tongues
Welcome & prayer
PART 2: BREAK INTO SMALL GROUPS
(in-person & zoom)
Responsive Reading (#1043 Voices Together)
Leader: Some trust in governments and some in borders,
ALL: but we trust in God, who invites all people to live in peace.
Leader: For the earth belongs to God, and all creation is in God’s care:
ALL: land and waters, plants and animals, sky and soil declare the hospitality of God.
Leader: The world belongs to God, and all who live in it.
ALL: We belong to one another as siblings, all of us children of God.
Leader: With gratitude for the home God has made for us on this planet, we pray:
ALL: Send your Holy Spirit to strengthen our resolve to strive for communities
where foreigners become neighbors and strangers become friends.
Leader: Revive our desire for the reign of Christ, who releases prisoners and liberates the oppressed, who frees the world from greed and proclaims God’s peace.
ALL: Make justice roll down like a river and righteousness flow like an everlasting stream. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:1-13 & 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Sharing in Small Groups
– Note: Please text Pastor Deb items to share with the entire congregation later in the service, or be prepared to type them into the zoom chat during sharing time.
(Pastor Michael is away this Sunday, July 4)
PART 3: ONLINE (all on zoom)
Children’s Story
– Song “Let the children come to me”
– The children’s offering benefits Crisis Nursery in Champaign. The organization’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to families in crisis. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)
Sermon
Meditation Music – Lean on Me by Bill Withers
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.
Sharing & Prayer
Work of the Church
Hymn #849 – We, Your People, Sing Your Praises
Benediction
Worship Leader- Chuck Gibson
Prelude – Pete Shungu (trumpet & piano) & Kevin King (saxaphone & flute)
Meditation – Pete Shungu (trumpet) & Pam Pena Martin (piano)
Hymns – Cindy Breeze
Children’s Story – Bruce Miller
Sermon & sharing – Pastor Deb Sutter
Technician – Bharat Patel