August 9, 2020

 

CENTERING

 

GATHERING WORDS

Pastor:           Come, all God's people, to this sacred place. Open your ears to God's word and your hearts to God's people.

People:        We gather in the name of our God, who is gracious to us in calm and storm.

Pastor:           When winds howl and seas rage, Christ beckons us from the storm, calling us to walk in faith.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHARING

 

PRAISING

CALL TO WORSHIP

Pastor:           Scripture tells us of how Jesus once invited Peter
to step out in faith onto the deep waters.

People:        We are also invited to step out of our safety,
our security, and walk toward Jesus.

Pastor:           Peter became afraid and,
in his fear, began to sink.

People:        Like Peter, we are afraid and cry out,
"Lord, save us."

Pastor:           The One who has power over all creation
comes to save us.

People:        We will be saved by the One
who is God's Son!

 

OPENING PRAYER

Lord, we ask that you will help us to prepare our souls as we settle down for this time of worship. Give us a sense of awe before your holiness. Open our eyes to see the light of your truth. Give us compassion and love for our fellow worshipers and shut out any distractions which threaten to dilute the beauty of this hour. Amen.

INTROIT:    Spirit of the Living God                                                     #393

CHILDREN’S MOMENTS 

CONFESSING

 

CALL TO CONFESSION

God alone deserves our loyalty and trust, but often our faith sinks and our trust is blown away by the storms of life. Let us tell God of our sins, that we might know forgiveness, and live forever with our God.

GENERAL CONFESSION

 

Too often, Waiting God, we have so little faith that we begin to sink, and we trust the world to save us. We find it so easy to drown in the temptations of the world. Our boats seem so sturdy and safe that we hesitate to step out of them into new ways of life.

Save us, Holy God, save us! Reach out your hand to those dying in fear and drowning in doubt. Reach out your hand, as Jesus did to Peter, not because we deserve rescue, but because you love us enough to save us, from ourselves, from sin, and from death. This we pray, in Jesus' name.

 

SILENT CONFESSION

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Pastor:           We cannot avoid the truth that we are sinners. But the greater truth is that we are forgiven sinners. Through God's love in Christ Jesus, we set aside all that is past, and step out, in courage and faith, into God's future for us.

People:    We trust God's promises, we trust Christ's resurrection, and

                        we trust the Spirit who works in and through us. Thanks be to

                        God. Amen.

 

HEARING

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 

O Lord, open our eyes, our ears, our minds, and our hearts;

That we might behold wondrous things out of your word.

 

 

GOSPEL LESSON

 

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

A reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew           

Glory to you O Lord

 

THE GOSPEL IS READ             Matthew 14: 22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[a] for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind,[b] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

The Gospel of the Living Christ

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

PROCLAIMING

 

SERMON:   “Our Little Faith”

 

It is Well With My Soul                                                                            #377

 

 

PRAYING

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

LORD’S PRAYER

 

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

 

 

RESPONDING

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING

There are many ways to respond to God's faithfulness,
love, and mercy in our lives.
We come now, seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus,
and to respond to God through our tithes,
gifts, and offerings.

THE LORD’S OFFERING

 

THE DOXOLOGY

 

 

 

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER

When we were in despair, you lifted us. When we were lost, you sought us out. When we were worn out, you refreshed us. Now, O Lord, we use this opportunity to express our thanks and to pass on our privileges to others. Amen.

 

SENDING


BENEDICTION

 

Pastor:           God blesses us with strength for the journey.

People:        Our hearts sing God’s praises.

Pastor:           Christ lifts us up from the raging waters of life.

People:        Our spirits rejoice in our salvation

Pastor:           The Spirit guides us with dreams full of hope and promise.

People:        Our lives rest secure in the One who is faithful.

Pastor:           May the word of God be in your mind, on your lips, and in your heart,
that you may step forward in faith,
even through the stormiest of seas.

 

CLOSING HYMN:    Give Thanks                                    TFWS #2036                              

 

 

 

Pastor: Rev. Russel W. Shuluga

 

Liturgist: Barbara Thaw

 

Zoom Worship Service

 

                                             

Every Sunday Morning at 11:15 AM

https://zoom.us/j/4127312511?pwd=M091MnJ6WjhmbDloTWcxbmFmTFFlQT09

 

 

Meeting ID: 412 731 2511

Password: 123456

From your phone (312) 626-6799

 

*Please note that the information above for ZOOM service is the same for every Sunday Zoom worship service.

 

 

 

            August Mission Opportunity

“Home of Hope Outreach Program”

During the month of August, Mifflin Avenue, with our monetary donations, will sponsor two young girls, named Ivy Chimasa and Makamka Gosa in Zimbabwe.  Over one million or one out of every four children is an orphan in Zimbabwe.  Most live with extended family, a friend, or even as “child-led households.”  Education is not free, and without financial support most of these children will not remain in school.

The Home of Hope Outreach program keeps children in school by sponsors who pay $75.00/year to cover school fees and $25.00 to provide a filled backpack. If you would like to contribute to the education of Ivy and Makamka, make your check payable to MAUMC and write “Home of Hope” on the memo line. You may also use PayPal to donate.