08/11/2024
Bulletin for Today with Rev. Barbara Schwartz
August 11, 2025
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) is open to anyone who
desires it. Worshipers attending online are encouraged to have ready a small
piece of bread or crackers of their choice and a small amount of wine, grape
juice, or other fruit juice so that all of us can participate in the Sacrament
together.
OPENING MUSIC
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 117
Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Extol God, all you peoples!
For great is God’s steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!
CALL TO CONFESSION Our Prayer of Confession is more than a time to recall
our mistakes and shortcomings and the problems of the world. We also have this
time to name our confusion, fears, frustrations, disappointments, impatience, and
exhaustion before our merciful God, who hears us and works with us. In this
assurance, let us pray the unison prayer.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy Eternal One, from generation to generation people have come to you
in prayer, naming everything in their lives. We also come to you, thankful
that we can be completely honest in our thoughts, feelings, and words.
Thank you for this time to offer not only our praise, but also to ask for your
guidance, help, and forgiveness. In situations where we have spoken and
acted thoughtlessly, selfishly, or hurtfully, forgive us and help us to make
amends. Guide us also to make responsible decisions and take actions
that reflect your commandment to love the neighbor as ourselves, not only
our human neighbors but also our fellow creatures and the earth itself.
Strengthen us to follow the way of Jesus, and to trust your Holy Spirit’s
transforming work in our lives. Hear our silent prayers:
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A MINUTE FOR SILENT PRAYER
ASSURANCE OF GRACE (Theological Declaration of Barmen, 8.14)
As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the
same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our
whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of
this world for a free, grateful service to God’s creatures. Friends, believe the
good news of the gospel: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of power and grace, fill us with the wisdom of your word and the
understanding of your Spirit so that we may be your church, a people with
dreams and visions at work in all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE Isaiah 55.1-13
Daniel 1.1-6, 8-21
SERMON Opening the Book of Daniel Rev. Barbara J. Schwartz
MUSIC OF REFLECTION
JOYS AND CONCERNS FOR OUR PRAYERS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Lord, in your mercy. . . hear our prayer.]
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER paraphrase by Douglas F. Ottati
Our Father, who welcomes the prodigal and who like a mother cares for all,
turn us so that we may hold your name holy above worldly powers, that
your reign of justice and peace may finally come to earth, and that your will
may be done here as in heaven. Give us daily nourishment that we may be
strengthened in your service. Forgive the wrongs we have done and help
us to forgive those who have wronged us, that enmity and violence may
cease, and that all persons and communities may know your reconciling
grace. Keep us from those temptations and trials we cannot bear, and
deliver us in our struggles with evil. For the kingdom of righteousness, the
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power of reconciliation, and the glory of all creation and new creation are
yours this day and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Loving God, we offer these gifts and the ministries of our daily lives. As we
seek your intentions for our next steps as disciples, we trust that you will
use what we give and do to fulfill your vision of peace, justice, and well-
being for all your creatures. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Invitation
Dear friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God. When our risen Lord
was at table with his disciples, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke it. And
their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Whoever you are, wherever
you’ve been on life’s journey, you are welcomed to this table. If you are hungry,
come and eat the bread of life. If you are thirsty, come and drink the cup of
salvation. Blessed are all who hunger for this bread and thirst for this cup.
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life, and for the earth, our home. We
thank you for your lovingkindness to us and to all humanity. Your works are great
and wonderful. Your ways are just and true. With the host of heaven and your
people in all times and places we praise you, saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of
your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the
name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy God, we praise you for your Son Jesus, the Word that became flesh and
made his home among us. He shared our weakness, and was tempted in every
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way as we are. Obeying you, he suffered and died for the redemption of all. You
have raised him to sit at your right hand, and you have given him a name above
every name— Lord and Christ. We praise him and we glorify you, great God our
Father.
Now give us your Holy Spirit in the breaking of bread, so that by your power we
may be drawn together and made one with Christ, who is our way, our truth, and
our life.
With the faithful throughout all ages, we lift our hearts to you, giving thanks
and trusting you to use us as your people, for the sake of Jesus Christ our
Savior. Amen.
The Words of Institution
Communion of the People [Worshipers may come to the table to receive the
communion elements or partake while seated in the pews. Worshipers online
may partake of the bread or crackers and wine or fruit juice of their choice at
home.]
Unison Prayer after Communion:
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on
earth. You have fed us with the bread of life, and renewed us for your
service. Help us who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to
be his faithful disciples, so that our daily living may share in the life of your
kingdom, and our love be your love reaching out into the life of the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CHARGE AND BLESSING
Our worship time is ending; our life of discipleship continues. Let us trust the
God of extravagant love and abundance, and Jesus Christ who revealed God in
his life and ministry. Let us go out to serve God and God’s people wherever we
encounter them this week, keeping our eyes and ears open for God’s surprises.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you
may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit, this day and forever.
Amen.
Worship Leader Rev. Barbara J. Schwartz
Co-Moderators John Schwartz & Cathy Young
