Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.
Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
GATHERING LITANY
Let us gather in faith, the faith that overcomes fear.
Let us gather, inviting God into our midst.
Let us gather, believing that the Lord is with us, always.
Hear us as we call to you, Holy One, Ever Three.
Come among us, Healing God; we wait for you.
We come, thirsty for your Word to bless us.
Come among us, Compassionate Christ; we hope in you.
We come, hungry to be filled with the Bread of Heaven.
Come among us, Restoring Spirit; we rely on you.
We come, eager to rest in your peace.
Hear us as we call to you, Holy One, Ever Three.
GATHERING SONG
“In Christ Called to Baptize” (ELW #575)
The tune for this hymn, “St. Denio,” is also used in the well-known “Immortal, Invisible.”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Ezekiel 2:1-5 In 597 BC, the priest Ezekiel was removed into exile in Babylon. While there, he received a vision of God appearing majestically on a chariot throne. Today’s reading recounts God’s commissioning of Ezekiel during this vision. The prophet is to speak God’s word to a people unwilling to hear.
Psalm 123 IOur eyes look to you, O God, until you show us your mercy.(Ps.123:2)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Christians do not boast of their own accomplishments. Rather, Christian boasting focuses attention on how the power of Christ is present in our lives, especially in times of weakness and vulnerability. No matter what our circumstances in life, Christ’s grace is sufficient for us.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
Mark 6:1-13 At home and abroad, Jesus and his disciples encounter resistance as they seek to proclaim God’s word and relieve affliction.
PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “Hometown Hero?”
In our Gospel account for this Sunday, Jesus returns to his hometown and faces some local skeptics, who wonder just who this young man thinks he is –for they’ve known him all their lives, known him as the son of a simple carpenter, known his otherwise ordinary family. And now he’s preaching, teaching, and healing with amazing power. Yet they are slow to come to believe that this local kid could be the promised Messiah. Sometimes the work of God in our very midst is the hardest for us to see.
SONG OF THE DAY
“O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True” (ELW #675)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Coming soon!
COMMUNION SONG
“The Son of God, Our Christ” (ELW #584)
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION – Today following worship we continue our series “Colossians: Against the Tide.” Join Pastor Dave as he leads our look at Paul’s letter to a young church facing pressures to conform to social norms. Adult Faith Formation begins at 11:15 and ends at noon, in the Library.
LARKS OUTING TO BALLARD LOCKS AND GARDENS TUESDAY – Join the group for this fun outing. It’s a great chance to use your Orca card! Meet at Cross of Christ at 9:30 am to carpool to the start of the journey, via bus, which includes stops for coffee, Ballard Locks, lunch and ice cream before returning to the church campus. Sign up at the Information Desk in the Narthex. If you have questions, contact Nancy Weisel or Sharen Stoll.
GRIEF GROUP MEETS THIS WEDNESDAY – Please note a change in the date (a week earlier than usual) and time (10:30 am, a half hour later than usual) to accommodate the Memorial Service scheduled for the following Wednesday. Our July conversation starter is “Independence: What Sets Us Free?” Anyone is welcome to join this informal, friendly gathering led by Pastor Dave in the Gathering Room.
GOLF ON THURSDAY – Join the golfing gang at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. For more details see the signup sheet at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
NO WELCA BIBLE STUDY IN JULY – as we take our annual summer break. Combined Circles lead by Pastor Dave meet on Thursday, August 2, at 10 am in the Library. We will cover both July and August lessons from “Gather” magazine.
FUNERAL AND MEMORIALS FOR ERIK FLOAN – Services for the former Cross of Christ Director of Music Ministries will be held at 11 am this Saturday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The family request that in lieu of flowers memorial donation be made to the following: Scholarship Fund – Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, 810 Freeman Street, Valparasio, IN, 46383; Luther Seminary – Children, Youth & Family Master’s Degree Program Scholarship Fund, 2481 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55109; American Guild of Organists – New Organist Fund, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York, NY, 10115.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MARTY BUDZIUS – Wednesday, July 18, 11am. The congregation is invited to a luncheon reception after the service at Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Avenue in Issaquah.
IT’S CHURCH PICNIC TIME! – Our annual church picnic will be held on Sunday, July 29 following the 10 am service. Join us for food, fun, and fellowship. We will be serving fried chicken, salad, rolls, and of course, ice cream! For more information, contact Linda Capron at capron@comcast.net or call 425-898-0263.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR VERNETTE RAE – Sunday, August 19 at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. To help with the reception, please contact Gale Hill at ghill5250@gmail.com or call 425-747-6932. Cards may be sent to 3739 135th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98006.
BERRY PICKING AND CONVERSATION WITH PASTOR JUDY – July and August is blueberry picking time and Pastor Judy invites you to join her in one of her favorite activities. She has set a goal of picking 100 pounds of blueberries this summer! Help her reach her goal and enjoy the outdoors and a nice chat at Larson Lake blueberry fields for an hour or so some morning. Call, text, or send her an email to set up a time – she would love your company!
EXCITING TIMES AHEAD! – With congregational approval, we are moving forward to repair the roof trusses. To coincide with this, the Church Council has established teams that will help us to move our congregation forward. Teams include Visioning, Property Use and Value, Truss Repair, Building Use, and Financial Support. This is the first step to gather data. If you have an interest in participating or have questions, please contact Congregational President Gale Hill.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Leona Lenschow, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Jane Pittenger, and Norman Stromer.
SENDING SONG
“To Be Your Presence” (ELW #546)
This hymn shares the tune “Engleberg” with several other well-known hymns.
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
