Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It, and our ICYMI series will give you 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.
Our Gathering song is God is Here! (ELW #526)
Fantastic intro on this piece!
This week’s readings are:
Exodus 3:1-5
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
1 Peter 1:3-7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
This week’s Gospel text is from Luke 3:15-18
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: We conclude our summer sermon series “Elemental Worship” today with a focus on biblical images of fire. From the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses, to Pentecost’s tongues of fire, flame and fire have been associated with the God’s power and presence among his people, and especially with the Holy Spirit. We’ll explore several of these images, and draw some conclusion as we wrap up this series.
Our Hymn of the Day is Come Down, O Love Divine (ELW #804)
Our Musical Offering today is O Fount of Every Blessing, played by Carillon handbell choir director Colin Walker
Prayers of the People – 8/27/17
In worship and trust in God our Creator, let us pray for the Earth, its lands and inhabitant, for the church, and for the needs of all people. Each petition will end, “Lord, in your mercy” to which the congregation responds, “Hear our prayer.” We observe a brief time of silence for preparation.
God of wonder, you who brought forth all that is from nothing, open our eyes to see you in the wonders of creation. Fan our faith, that we may be aglow with reverence of you. Stir us to care for land, air, water, and all natural resources that you have created, in appreciation for the grandeur and glory of your handiwork. Fill us with gratitude for the gifts you have entrusted to our stewardship. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Almighty God, divine fire, send your Holy Spirit afresh upon your church, that our faith may be emboldened and our commitment to share your good news with our neighbors enlivened. May our faith grow, and our love for one another be a beacon drawing many to you. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Perfect Creator, when we cross paths with the power of the natural world, when rains come in overwhelming waves, or not at all, we are startled and saddened for victims, like those in Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and those in East Africa suffering from the effects of a prolonged drought. Grant relief and comfort, and inspire us to respond to calls for assistance. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Holy Spirit, warm the hearts of all who suffer. Bring healing to the ill and injured, peace to all who are near death, consolation to the sorrowful, and hope to the discouraged. We remember those who have asked for our prayers – Anna Bero, Cheryl Buettemeier, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Mary Mehlum, Iris Schiffer, Vernette Rae, and Marilyn Van Brero. Lord in your mercy.
hear our prayer.
All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, we pray, trusting in your mercy and wisdom, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Communion song is Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness (ELW #488)
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.
And because there’s always something going on, the Announcements!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION – is wrapping up its summer focus on “The Life and Letters of St. Peter” with today’s study on key events involving Peter from the Gospel of Mark and the book of Acts. Among those events: Peter is called to become a “fisher of people,” walks on water with Jesus, witnesses the Transfiguration, denies Jesus after his arrest, preaches boldly the first resurrection sermon, performs amazing miracles, and is imprisoned for his faith yet remains faithful and bold in sharing the good news. We meet from 11:15 to noon in the Library. No Adult Faith Formation next week. A new study begins September 10.
SUMMER WORSHIP COMING TO AN END – Next week is our final combined summer worship service. The following Sunday, September 10, we return to our two-service schedule – Traditional service at 9 am, Casual worship at 11 am, and Discipleship Hour between. It’s been fun worshipping together in various forms and styles. We’ll continue coming back together on fifth Sundays in October, December, and April, with Reunion Sunday special events.
BLACKBERRY SEASON - While we may complain about them the rest of the year, and struggle to keep them cut back, the wild blackberry bushes on campus are just entering the peak of fruit-bearing season. Members are more than welcome to pick berries for their personal use. The most accessible bushes are located in the back behind the picnic/amphitheater area, and along the more eastern driveway from NE 6th Street. Happy picking!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – Will you be traveling this summer or otherwise unable to attend worship? Take a peek at a new feature on our blog: ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It, and it’s a brief roundup of our worship service each week that includes the readings, hymns, Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot, the prayers, and announcements. You can learn more by visiting the Cross of Christ Facebook page and clinking on a link to ICYMI, or at http://www.crossofchristbellevue.org/category/icymi-worship/.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY – To date we have received $840 in cash and checks, plus lots of donated backpacks and school supplies, for local student through the Good Start Back to School drive, and $450 towards the Lutheran World Relief famine efforts in East Africa. You are sharing Christ’s love in important and impactful ways!
REMEMBRANCE WALL – Now is a great time to put new inscriptions in the Remembrance Wall. The wall gives us opportunities to honor or remember special people or special events in our or their lives. Ideas are marriage, anniversaries, baptisms, graduations, honor parents or family, military, and other memorable events. Take a look at the current wall and the memories it contains. Give it some thought and you, too, will think of something or someone to celebrate (hooray). Folders on cost and procedure are available at the Information Desk. You can call Sandra Volkman 425-644- 9604 or Lee Thompson 425-746-9128 or others on the Garden of Remembrance Committee to learn more. An order will be sent in for new requests on September 18. We have several ready to go already and many of you have said you are considering it. Decision time is now. We can have many sandblasted at the same time.
SUBSTITUTES NEEDED FOR THE ARK – The Ark Early Learning Center at Cross of Christ is looking for substitutes. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call Co-Directors Jan Galbraith or Solange Silva at 425-644-5414 for more information. Check out our website: www.thearkatcofc.org.
RICK STEVES REFORMATION 500th ANNIVERSARY VIDEO – Be sure to check out this video offering – “Luther and the Reformation” – produced by our Synod’s own Rick Steves! In this one-hour special — filmed on location in Europe — Steves tells the story of the humble monk who lived a dramatic and impactful life. With visit to key sites relating to the Reformation (including Erfurt, Wittenberg, and Rome), Steves explores the complicated political and religious world of 16th-century Europe. It’s a story of power, rebellion, and faith that you’ll never forget. Watch the video at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/tv-specials/luther.
NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR IN WASHINGTON – presenting a community-wide evening of singing in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. “Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today and Forever” is a musical program celebrating a rich treasury of music – from early hymns to new works – expressing the journey of the Lutheran Church. Under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, the 64-voice National Lutheran Choir is in concert at 7:30 pm on Friday, September 29, at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle. The concert is free and open to the public. Info at: www.saintmarks.org. A freewill offering will be received to support Compass Housing Alliance and Imagine Housing. Fellow Lutheran and travel guru Rick Steves has agreed to match the offering at this event up to $20,000.
NW WASHINGTON SYNOD WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION CONVENTION – October 7 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at Trinity Lutheran, Lynnwood. Rev. Heidi Fish, pastor of Celebration Lutheran, Anacortes, will lead a Bible study, “Dancing Through the Waters,” focusing on Miriam’s story and Exodus 15:20. For more information visit http://lutheransnw.org/synod-women.
Our sending song is Rise, O Church, Like Christ Arisen (ELW #548)
Organ great David Cherwien plays this version of our closing hymn.
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!
