Virtual Worship for Aug. 16, 2020

The Presbyterian Church, 142 N. Fourth St., Coshocton, OH 43812

The Rev. Karen Crawford, Pastor

Diane Jones, Liturgist

Alice Hoover and Mark Wagner, Musicians

Prelude: Partita on Crimond (Arr. by Gordon Young) Alice Hoover, Organ

Greeting/Announcements: Pastor Karen

Opening Words and Gathering Prayer with Diane Jones

God has forgiven us and drawn us close, reconciling us through Jesus Christ, who has lavished upon us the fullness of the blessed Holy Spirit.

With glad and grateful hearts, praise the Lord!

Hymn: You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (Charles Wesley) Alice Hoover, Organ

You servants of God, your Master proclaim, 
and publish abroad his wonderful name; 
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol; 
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all. 

God rules in the height, almighty to save; 
though hid from our sight, his presence we have; 
the great congregation his triumph shall sing, 
ascribing salvation to Jesus our King. 

“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!” 
let all cry aloud, and honor the Son; 
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, 
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb. 

Then let us adore and give him his right: 
all glory and power, all wisdom and might, 
all honor and blessing with angels above 
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love. 

Call to Confession/Prayer of Confession/Assurance of Pardon with Pastor Karen

Have mercy on us, Lord Jesus;  Our lives have been disrupted by the devil and by our own devilish desires and evil exploits. We are dismayed at your presence,  anguished by the awful fallout of our own failures. We cannot take back what we have said or undo what we have done or atone for the agony we have caused. We are haunted by the past, plagued by the present, and fearful of the future. We shrink away from your gaze as strangers outside your circle of blessing.  Yet the faith you have planted in us reaches out for your favor, returns to your presence, and hungers for your mercy,  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Time with Children and Youth

Hymn: Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome) (Marty Haugen)

Prayer for Illumination with Pastor Karen

Merciful Savior, your suffering has saved our lives,  secured our future, and restored us to relationship with God.  Remove the shame and fear that cause us to cower in your presence. By the power of your Spirit, open our eyes and hearts to your Word of love, mercy, healing, and blessing;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Genesis 45:1-15 Reading with Diane Jones

Holy wisdom, Holy word. Thanks be to God!

Matthew 15:10–28 Reading with Pastor Karen

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

Message   What’s Growing in Your Garden?

Hymn: In the Bulb There Is a Flower (Natalie Sleeth) Alice Hoover, Organ

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Invitation to the Offering with Pastor Karen

Offertory: Praising the Almighty (Edward Broughton) Mark Wagner, Organ

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication/The Lord’s Prayer with Pastor Karen

Gracious Lord, you have given us more mercy than we could imagine and more blessings than we deserve. Receive now these gifts as tokens of our gratitude to you, that your mercy may be multiplied and your blessings abound to embrace all those in need. 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.

Hymn: The Welcome Table (African American Folk Song) Courtney Patton

I’m gonna sit at the welcome table
I’m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days, hallelujah
I’m gonna sit at the welcome table
Sit at the welcome table one of these days, one of these days

I’m gonna feast on milk and honey
Oh yes, I’m gonna feast on milk and honey one of these days, hallelujah
I’m gonna feast on milk and honey
Feast on milk and honey one of these days, one of these days

I’m gonna to tell God how you treat me
Yes, I’m gonna to tell God how you treat me one of these days, hallelujah
I’m gonna to tell God how you treat me
Tell God how you treat me one of these days, one of these days

Yes, hallelujah
Welcome table, one of these days

All God’s children gonna sit together
Yes, all God’s children gonna sit together one of these days, hallelujah
All God’s children gonna sit together
All God’s children gonna sit together, one of these days, one of these days

I’m gonna sit at the welcome table
Yes, I’m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days, hallelujah
I’m gonna sit at the welcome table
Sit at the welcome table one of these days, one of these days
Sit at the welcome table one of these days, one of these days
Yes, gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days, one of these days

Charge and Benediction with Pastor Karen

Postlude: O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing  (Arr. by Marilyn Arison) Alice Hoover, Organ