PIONEER
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Worship
via Blog 8th Sunday after Pentecost July
18, 2021
PEOPLE’S CHOICE:
Gentle Shepherd, Come and Lead Us” LU#102
“God
Will Take Care of You” Glory #201
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to Pioneer’s blog worship service.
Though we are accessing this remotely and unable to look each other in the eye,
we are still the Pioneer faith community, gathered as children of God to
worship, to be spiritually fed, and to be equipped to go out to serve in
Christ’s name—though we do it differently during this pandemic.
Pioneer offers worship in several modes:
a)
The
blog.
b)
The
blog service mailed through US Postal service.
c)
Sermons
only, mailed to those who so request.
d)
Zoom
services at 10:00 Sunday mornings.
e)
Live
worship with masks and social distancing has plenty of room for additional
worshipers.
-
Prayer
Shawl Ministry @ 1:00
-
Tuesday
10:30 Women’s Spirituality
-
Thursday
8:30 Men’s Prayer Group
-
Next
Sunday Deacons following worship
Now allow yourself
a brief time of silence as you open your hearts and feel God’s presence with
you, right where you are.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BAPTISM: Friends, remember your baptism … and be thankful.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come away and rest for a while.
Leave behind your busyness to be fully
present to God.
We
have come for relief from life’s turmoil.
God
gathers us as a shepherd gathers her sheep.
God’s steadfast love surrounds us here.
We are reminded of God’s enduring
faithfulness.
This
is God’s house, and we are God’s children.
God
invites us to feel at home in this place.
We have a covenant with our Creator.
This is a time for renewal of our
promises.
God
calls for righteousness and justice.
God
offers us goodness and mercy all our days.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Rock of our salvation, we have accepted
the invitation of Jesus to gather as your beloved people. We have been far away
from you in our thoughts and separated from you in much that we do. Now we are
together, seeking reconciliation with you and one another. We call on your
steadfast love for assurance and healing. We feel your compassion for us and
for all your children. We sense your longing for our wholeness and renewed
faith and trust. You call us to be bearers of light, grace, love and peace.
Guide us, we pray. Amen
OPENING
HYMN: “Be Still and Know” LU#82
CALL TO CONFESSION
Alienated from our spiritual selves, we
come to this time of confession seeking wholeness amid a fragmented world. The
false promise of a good life, filled with things, has erected barriers among
us. There are dividing walls of hostility separating God’s people. We are
called to admit our role in this brokenness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all times and places, we confess that
we have wandered after the false gods of this age. We have disobeyed your
commandments, violated your covenant with us, and forsaken your ways. We have
denied our need for you and mistreated those whom you have called us to love.
We have become strangers and aliens, plagued by false values that squeeze life
from our souls. Loving Parent hear your penitent children and let us come home,
we pray. (continue
with personal prayers………..) Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
The old life has gone; the new life has
begun.
Friends, believe the Good News!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and
restored to new life!
PASSING THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Let us extend the peace of Christ in heart
and prayer to one another.
GLORY
BE TO THE FATHER
SCRIPTURE 1: John
10:11-18
I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a
hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming
and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the
good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I
know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep,
that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice.
So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father."
SCRIPTURE 2: Psalm 23
The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me
beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his
name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for
you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me. You prepare a table
before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup
overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
SERMON “Pursued by Love” Rev. Jean
Hurst
In the traditions of the Native
American culture there is a reverence for life and an understanding of the
interdependence and interrelationship with all of life on this earth. Those
relationships are valued for how they improve one’s connection to the Great
Mystery, the Great Spirit, the Healer, the Creator. In these traditions, our
fellow creatures--bird, fish, insect, animal—exhibit characteristics and habit
patterns that we can learn from. When they call upon the power of an animal,
they are asking to be drawn into complete harmony with the strength and
character of that creature’s essence. In that association with a particular
creature, of making that creature a totem, there is a connecting with the
Creator of life.
If
you were to choose a creature that you think would represent the true essence
of who you are, what would you pick? Would it be an eagle, soaring high over
the mountains? Perhaps you feel more akin to a powerful lion, proudly watching
over your domain. A mustang running wild and free? A dragonfly with its
symbology of transformation and long life? Maybe a turtle with its slow but
steadfast determination? With so many to choose from, how many of you would
pick a sheep?
A
sheep would seem an unlikely totem. It is not noble or courageous or wise or
free spirited. It’s a simple minded creature, not even the brightest of the
herd animals. In fact, that very character, of being a herd animal, of being so
needy of the company of other sheep, of lacking independence and spirit, would
probably leave it at the bottom of the list. Truthfully, would you pick a sheep
as your personal totem? Would you say that a sheep represents the best and
truest of your character?
One
might wonder why, over and over again, the Bible represents us as sheep. We are
not sheep. We are strong, self-sufficient, independent, self-reliant, free
spirits. We like to follow our own paths, go our own way, seek our own
destinies. We prefer to mold our own futures, test the waters ourselves, make
our own decisions. We do not see ourselves as herd animals, blindly following
where someone else leads.
And
yet, is that really true of us? Are we really as independent and free-thinking
as we’d like to believe? Is it that perhaps we simply choose which pack or
flock or herd to join and follow? We would like to believe that we think for
ourselves, go where we want, make our own way in the world. We develop our own
values and we ferret out our own truths. But reality is that most of the time
we are influenced and led by a myriad of political, social, and marketing
shepherds who take us where they want, generally in paths that serve their own
self interests.
Perhaps
the Bible simply uses the sheep and flock metaphor because that was the nature
of the agrarian culture thousands of years ago. Because they were herders of
sheep and lived off the land and were dependent on the sheep for their own
existence, they could best relate their own lives and their relationship with
God in that way. Or perhaps, even back then, they could see that their own
human behaviors had much in common with the flocks they watched over.
The
23rd Psalm is America’s favorite. We usually read it at funerals
because it is a psalm of comfort and assurance. Yet it is not a psalm of death.
It is a psalm of life, a psalm of very ordinary, day to day life. We know the
words well, we’ve heard them from childhood. Even in its literal application,
we sense the connection with our lives. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not
want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.”
For
all our self-perceived independence, we long for one who will watch over us and
guide us, one under whose care we can let down our guard. A sheep alone is
vulnerable--prey to wild animals, to getting caught in the tangles of thorns,
to falling into places it can’t extricate itself from, to wandering and getting
lost and not being able to find its way back. We know those dangers. We’ve
faced those dangers. Deep down we fear those dangers.
How
many of us have not fallen prey to the ravenous teeth of the world, perhaps not
even recognizing the danger of the company we were in, or the seduction of the
situation, until it was too late? How many of us haven’t gotten entangled in
something that snared and held us in a near fatal grip, and wouldn’t let us go?
How many of us hasn’t, at one time or another, walked too close to the edge and
slipped, fallen into a crevice, that place that was over our heads, that
wouldn’t give us a foothold for climbing back out, a place that was empty of
what would nurture and sustain us, a place that was death?
And
how many of us haven’t, at some time in our lives, wandered away, one little
step at a time, not blatantly defiant or looking for trouble, just meandering
from one point of interest to another, one temptation that led to another
temptation, one side path to the next, a siren call that enticed us on until,
before we realized it, we’d lost sight of our lifeline, our relationships, our
values, our purpose, even our sense of who we are? How many of us haven’t been
scared and alone and unable to find our way back home?
And
that is when our hearts long for the good shepherd, for the one who will find
us, who will save us from what we’ve gotten ourselves into, who will lift us
out of the pit, who will untangle the mess of our lives, who will lead us back
on the right path. That is when we yearn for one who will bring us back from
the brink, out of the darkness, who will take us from the jaws of the predator,
who will lead us back to the right path, who will restore us to our community,
our relationships, our self-respect.
While
we think want to be independent, we truly want peace, calm, safety. We don’t
want to have to keep looking over our shoulder. We don’t want to lose who we
are. We want the safety and the comfort of community, the sense of belonging.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He
restores my soul.”
What
does that mean to you? What is it to have your soul restored? If you were to
close your eyes--right here, right now--and just breathe, and look inward for
what it means for you, what would you find?
What in your soul needs to be restored?
Is
it peace that your heart, your soul longs for? Is it forgiveness from someone
you’ve hurt or let down? Is it being
able to forgive yourself? Does a restored soul mean letting go of baggage that
you have carried around year after year that has weighed you down until you
can’t remember what it was like not to drag it along? Does your soul
long to let go of crumbled dreams and the debris of broken relationships and
failed efforts and false hopes? Would a restored soul be a soul set free from a
great sadness or limiting beliefs or unreasonable expectations or crippling
doubts or nagging worries or immobilizing fear? Is your heart’s longing that of
a soul restored to its relationship with the God in whose image you were
created? What restores your soul?
It
is only the Good Shepherd who can do it. There is much in the world that would
rend our souls, that would lead us into ways of living and thinking and
believing and talking that would dirty and tear and isolate our souls. Those
are the false shepherds.
Jesus
said, “I am the good shepherd.” The hired hand is not the shepherd, does not
own the sheep. So when the danger comes, that false shepherd cuts and runs,
abandoning the sheep. It is the good shepherd, the true shepherd, who is there,
not for himself, but for the flock. It is the good shepherd, the true shepherd,
who cares enough about that flock, who loves the flock, who loves each
individual sheep in that flock, so much that he is willing to risk all to
safeguard it, not for his sake, but for the sake of the sheep.
It
is the good shepherd who leads the sheep to green pastures and still waters and
the restoring of souls. It is the good shepherd who watches over and guides and
protects, who wants the best for each of us. It is the good shepherd who is
willing to give his very life for the sake of the sheep....and did. But it didn’t end there. Jesus said, “I lay
down my life--only to take it up again.” And did.
To simply have laid down his life for
the sheep might have saved the sheep in that particular moment, but then the
sheep would once again be vulnerable and without a shepherd. But Jesus, the
good shepherd, laid down his life for the flock, for every single sheep in the
flock, and then, by the power and command of God, took his life back up again,
restoring to us the good shepherd, the One who will continue to watch over us,
to feed us, to nurture us, to restore our souls. Thanks be to God.
HYMN: “My
Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
Glory #803
PRAYERS OF THE
PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
God, your grace has gifted us in so many
ways—family, friends, home, jobs, more than enough food, hope for tomorrow. By
the standards of most of the world, we are rich. Thank you for the goodness in
our lives. Help us to be good stewards of what we have, to be willing to risk,
to love in response to your love. Help us to live out our faith in the world
while we wait for your return. Guide us, according to your will, as we decide
how we use the money and time and abilities that you have graciously given us.
Lord, you expect us to continue your
work—to love and care for your people—those who are hurting, the poor, the
oppressed, our veterans, victims of war, disease, aging, those who struggle
emotionally and mentally, those who are vulnerable and lonely and scared.
Tender God, show us how best to serve them.
We
lift up our church family and community: Joe Hendry … Sandy Cargill … Larry
Koskela … Linda and Bill Kaesemeyer … Somer Bauer … Tasha Sizemore … Beverly
Patterson … Lois White … Virginia …
Margaret Dunbar … Darlene … Trisha … Dave … Jacob … George and Joyce … Jennifer
… Chuck … Courtney … Ethel. (Additional prayers …………)
We pray for ourselves as we deal with
our own doubts and struggles, with wounds in our hearts that don’t seem to
heal, with issues of forgiveness, with loneliness and isolation, with
uncertainty about the future. We trust
you to guide our lives in ways that bring healing and wholeness.
We pray in the
name of Jesus who taught us to pray: Our
Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive
us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever. Amen.
CALL TO OFFERING
We bring a portion of all God entrusts to
us to be used, not for our pet projects, but for the mission of the church, in
this community, throughout our land and around the world. We express our
gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ and for the peace we know deep within
when we become disciples and apostles. May we follow the model of God’s
generosity.
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Receive our best, gracious God, as we offer ourselves
along with these tokens of thanks. Establish your rule in our midst so we may
proclaim your reign in the world. Send us where you need us most. Use our gifts
to reduce alienation and to build community. Show us how to be a blessing as we
use these gifts. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “Savior,
Like a Shepherd, Lead Us” Glory
#187
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Jesus called us sheep. But don’t be
offended. He liked his sheep. As you go through your week, go in the confidence
that the Good Shepherd watches over you.
And remember that the grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit are
with you now and always. Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE
May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes
and see his face and his grace forever. May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and
keep you forever.
~~~~~~~~~~
LOOKING
AHEAD
July 18 1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
July 20 10:30 a.m. Women’s Spirituality
July 22 8:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group
July 25 following worship Deacons
PRAYER
CARE:
Joe Hendry (hip
surgery), Sandy Cargill (radiation), Larry Koskela (stomach and joint issues),
Linda and Bill Kaesemeyer (Bill’s heart/breathing issues), Somer Bauer (breast
cancer), Tasha Sizemore (Crohn’s), Lois White (lymphoma), Jacob Cunningham,
Trisha Cagley (health problems), Dave Clark (kidney cancer), Virginia DesIlets
(age 99!), Margaret Dunbar (aging issues), George and Joyce Sahlberg (health
issues), Jennifer Schirm (Parkinson’s), Chuck VanHise (leg/walking rehab),
Darlene Wingfield (pulmonary fibrosis, breast cancer), and Courtney Ziegler
(Huntington’s).
LECTIONARY
FOR 7/25/21
2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21;
John 6:1-21
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