"Wonder-Working Power"

Call to Worship #1

L: God’s greatness is wondrous to behold. P: Everywhere we look, we can see the imprint of God. L: From the loftiest mountains to the crashing waters of the sea, P: There God’s greatness stands majestically. L: God’s greatness can be within the human heart. P: Let us honor and praise God with acts of loving kindness and compassion. AMEN.

Invocation

O Great Revealer, we come seeking visions. We come desiring dreams. Grant our wish: wave before us one branch of paradise lost, and we shall see in its leaf our life regained. Or conjure up a carpenter whose hands are as rough as the bark of a tree, and we shall behold in his face our salvation. Lift us, we plead, in a flight not of fancy, but of faith; not that we might boast of your presence, but that we might know your forgiveness.

Invitation to the Offering (2 Corinthians 8)

Paul challenged the church at Corinth to recognize their abundance, that they might share with those in need. God calls us to give out of our bounty, that all might have enough to live on without fear. With eager hearts, let us joyfully give out of our abundance.

Offering Prayer (2 Corinthians 8)

Gracious God, we thank you for our present abundance and for the many blessings you have bestowed upon this community. We thank you for our faith, for our knowledge of you, and for the assurance of your love. May all these gifts be a blessing to those in need. Amen.

PRAYER

Lord of mystery and community, you have called us here this day to remind us of the mission journey you set before us. Help us to pay attention to the words of Jesus as he sent out his disciples on a mission of healing and compassion. Remind us that success is not measured in the cures, but in the striving. Enable us to truly be your disciples in this world. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Mark 6:1-13 NIV

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Benediction

Paradise shimmers in our midst; the highest heaven lies hidden all around us. Go, and you will discover God; and where you discover God most utterly, you shall know yourself most fully, and love your neighbor most perfectly.Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.