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 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

GATHERING SONG

“Glorious Things of You Are Spoken”

Several denominations use this tune to another familiar hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, eternal goodness, immeasurable love, you place your gifts before us; we eat and are satisfied. Fill us and this world in all its need with the life that comes only from you, through 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

Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 A food crisis becomes a faith crisis for the Israelites in the wilderness. The hungry people forget God’s saving work in the exodus, and they wish for the food they had in Egypt. Nevertheless, God miraculously meets their needs, with manna for bread and quail for meat.

Ephesians 4:1-16 Christians share fundamental unity and diversity. Our unity consists in the one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. Our diversity is expressed in various forms of ministry, whose goal is equipping the saints
and building up Christ’s one body.

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL

John 6:24-35 Many of the five thousand people Jesus fed in the wilderness continued to follow him throughout the countryside. Jesus challenges them to consider the real nature of their quest.

PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “Wonder Bread “

Mmm! Does anything smell more wonderful than freshly baked bread? In our gospel lesson for this morning, Jesus calls himself the Bread of Life. We’ll consider this “Wonder Bread” and our calling to receive and share this heavenly gift.

SONG OF THE DAY

“I Am the Bread of Life”

The Notre Dame Folk Choir sings this fun arrangement of a familiar hymn.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Coming soon!

COMMUNION SONG

“Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness”

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 – continues our series “Colossians: Against the Tide” today at 11:15 am in the Library. Pastor Dave leads our look at the letter of the Apostle Paul to a young church encountering pressure from within and without to conform to cultural norms rather than the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus. Come join us as we Grow in Faith!

STEWARDSHIP PLAY CASTING CALL TUESDAY – Cross of Christ’s long-standing tradition of sharing the Bible’s call for us to be cheerful givers through upbeat, fun, and lively plays returns this year. We’re looking for actors of any and all experience and abilities – that means you! There are parts for all! And there are important parts to be played behind the scenes for those who are a little stage shy. Directors Lorelee Hedlund and Carroll Rehmke invite you to learn more 7 pm Tuesday in the Library. If you can’t attend but are interested, please communicate with them or Pastor Dave. The Stewardship Play will be presented on Sunday, September 30, at a combined worship service at 10 am.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LEONA LENSCHOW WEDNESDAY – The congregation is invited to join the family for a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at 11:30 am in the Sanctuary, followed by a luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall. If you are available to help the Memorial Committee is looking for cookies and help with set-up, serving, and cleanup for the luncheon. Please contact Gale Hill at 206-940-1214 or ghill5250@gmail.com.

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.

GODSPEED TO ORGANIST NICK ABBOTT – Next Sunday is Nick’s last with us. We will send him off with a very special worship service followed by a reception in the Narthex. Nick has shared his amazing gifts with us for four years, as well as his wonderful personality and generous spirit. We thank God for our time with Nick and send him with our blessings as he begins the next phase of his music ministry career at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Seattle.

PASTOR DAVE IN CALIFORNIA – Wednesday through Saturday as he has the honor of officiating at the wedding of a nephew. Pastor Dave will be back in worship next Sunday. During his absence, please contact Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries Judy Brennan in the event of a pastoral emergency. Contact information is on the front cover of the Announcements.

MEALS FOR JAMIE’S FAMILY – Cross of Christ Sexton Jamie Monk has welcomed baby Noa Grace to his family. Jamie is on paid paternity leave until August 7, will work during Pastor Dave’s brief vacation, and then will take two more weeks off as he and Stacey spend time with their new daughter. It would very nice if we could help them with a few meals during this time. They have three other children; a girl 14 and two boys ages 10 and 6. If you can provide a meal please sign up at the Welcome Desk. (There are no food restrictions.)

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 135^th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98006.

BACK TO WORK CLOTHING DRIVE – During the summer months of July, August and September, Cross of Christ and community partner Turkcha women’s charity are collecting work appropriate clothing for men and women transition into the work force, going on interviews, heading back to school, and for any other time nicer clothes are appropriate. To learn more, please see the flyer available in the Vestibule on Sundays and all week at the Information Desk in the Narthex. Thanks for the tremendous response already and for your future contributions and volunteering!

BERRY PICKING AND CONVERSATION WITH PASTOR JUDY – It’s 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.

CONGREGATIONS FOR KIDS GOOD START BACK TO SCHOOL BUS – Pick up a flyer with the updated list of needed school supplies. The bus will be parked in the Narthex through August 12. That is where you can deposit school supplies for 1,450 students from low-income families in the Bellevue School District. Financial donations are also welcome. Checks should be made out to Cross of Christ with “Back to School” noted on the memo line. Contact Arlene Palmerton for more information.

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Ellie Dennison, Ed Hahn, Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, and Norman Stromer.

ICYMI Worship, 8/5/18: Wonder Bread