Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Call to Worship ~ Psalm 6 (NLT)

L: O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline

me in your rage. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I

am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I

am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore

me?

Sing Together: “Grace, grace, God’s grace; Grace

that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace,

God’s grace; Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

L: Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of

your unfailing love. For the dead do not remember you.

Who can praise you from the grave?

Sing Together: “Grace, grace, God’s grace; Grace

that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace,

God’s grace; Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

L: I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed

with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is

blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of my

enemies.

Sing Together: “Grace, grace, God’s grace; Grace

that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace,

God’s grace; Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

L: Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.

Sing Together: “Grace, grace, God’s grace; Grace that

will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace;

Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

Worship in Song ~ https://youtu.be/fcG9HApTC_Q

“The Joy of the Lord” by Rend Collective

CCLI License # 128280

Verse 1

Though the tears my fall my song will rise

My song will rise to You

Though my heart my fail my song will rise

My song will rise to You

While there’s breath in my lungs

I will praise You Lord

Verse 2

In the dead of night I’ll lift my eyes

I’ll lift my eyes to You

When the waters rise I’ll lift my eyes

I’ll lift my eyes to you

While there’s hope in this heart

I will praise You Lord

...continued on next page

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Worship in Song ~ ...continued

Chorus

The joy of the Lord is my strength (Repeat)

In the darkness I’ll dance

In the shadows I’ll sing

The joy of the Lord is my strength

Verse 3

When I cannot see You with my eyes

Let faith arise to You

When I cannot feel Your hand in mine

Let faith arise to You

God of mercy and love...I will praise You Lord

Verse 4

Oh You shine with glory Lord of light

I feel alive with You

In Your presence now I come alive

I am alive with You

There is strength when I say

I will praise You Lord

Bridge

When sorrow comes my way

You are the shield around me

Always You remain...My courage in the fight

I hear You call my name...Jesus I am coming

Walking on the waves...Reaching for Your light

Children’s Time ~

How strong do you think you are? Show everyone your

muscles...WOW! That is strong. Do you like to exercise?

What’s your favorite thing to do? I know someone who

likes to lift weights to keep in shape. He told me whenever

he lifts weights, he always has a spotter. Do you know

what a spotter is?

The spotter stands near the lifter just in case he/she gets

in trouble and needs some help. Sometimes, the spotter

doesn't do anything at all. Just knowing that the spotter is

there is enough to give the lifter the confidence needed to

lift the weights.

At other times, the spotter calls out words of encourage-

ment to the lifter. "Come on, you can do it! You can do it!

Push! Push!". Those words of encouragement are just

what the lifter needs to give him/her the strength to lift

the weights.

As more and more weights are added, the bar becomes

very heavy and the lifter becomes very tired. When the

weight gets to be more than the lifter can handle, the

spotter reaches in and helps the lifter lift the weights.

...continue on next page

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Children’s Time ~ ...continued

Other days are more difficult and we may need more

encouragement. We find that encouragement in God's

Word. "Don't be afraid, I am with you." (Gen.26:24)

"I'll give you strength." (Psalms 28:7) "I'm with you in

times of trouble." (Psalms 34:6) These words of en-

couragement are just what we need to face the hard

times that may come our way.

However, did you ever have a day when everything

seems to do wrong and it’s more than you can handle?

Of course you do. We all have days like that, don't we?

It is good to know that when things are more than we

can bear, God is there! Listen to these words from

Jesus, "Come to me, all of you who are tired and have

heavy loads. I will give you rest. Accept my work and

learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And

you will find rest for your souls. The work that I ask

you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is

not heavy." On those really hard days, Jesus steps in

and lifts our burden. With him, our burdens are lighter.

Take a moment to thank God for ways He’s helped you

this week. Then color the coloring page and place it

somewhere you’ll see so that you can remember that

God is ALWAYS there to help you.

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Worship in Song ~ https://youtu.be/GNQYunT1IfU

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Depression ~ Psalm 69:1-3; 13-16 (ESV)

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.

I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched.

My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God....

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.

At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

Deliver me from sinking in the mire;

let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.

Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up,

or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me

Scripture ~ Ruth 1:1-6, 18-22

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?

search=Ruth+1%3A1-6%2C+18-22&version=NIV

Devotional ~ By Pastor Nathan

Find this morning’s message at the following link:

https://justswamp.com/what-we-say/sermons/2020-2/

Reflection Time ~ - What things in your life tend to make you sad? What do you do

with the sadness?

- When have you confused sadness or depression in your life with

something else (anger or laziness, perhaps)?

- In what ways can you embrace times of sadness rather than

running from them?

- Who has supported you through times of depression or

sadness? What about that person was helpful at that time?

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Song of Response ~ https://youtu.be/BEpmVUdyJ0U

“No Longer Slaves” by Bethel Music

CCLI License # 128280

Verse 1

You unravel me with a melody

You surround me with a song

Of deliverance from my enemies

Till all my fears are gone

Chorus

I’m no longer a slave to fear...I am a child of God

I’m no longer a slave to fear...I am a child of God

Verse 2

From my Mother’s womb...You have chosen me

Love has called my name

I’ve been born again into Your family

Your blood flows through my veins

Bridge

You split the sea so I could walk right through it

My fears were drown in perfect love

You rescued me so I could stand and say

I am a child of God

Prayer ~

L: Christ our Lord, long ago in Galilee many who were sick

and suffering, needed friends to bring them to your side.

Confident in your goodness, we now bring to you those

who need your healing touch.

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace.

L: We name before you those who are ill in body; whose

illnesses are long or difficult to cure; who suffer restless

days and sleepless nights. (Offer names silently)

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace.

L: We name before you those who are troubled, distressed

by the past, or dreading the future; those who feel

trapped or frozen in fear. (Offer names silently)

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace.

L: We name before you those for whom the light has

turned to darkness: by the loss of a job, the breaking of a

relationship, the fading of hope. (Offer names silently)

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace.

L: We name before you those who face injustices at every

turn of life; those who experience racism, violence,

poverty or economic hardships. (Offer names silently)

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace.

L: Loving God, the care of every soul is in your hands; the

cure of every sickness comes from you. We do not know

your will for us. If by our lives your grace may be made

known, then in us, through us, or even in spite of us, may

your kingdom come, your will be done.

ALL: Lord, bring your healing; bring your peace...Amen.

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Song of Benediction ~ https://youtu.be/uOBXpB48LW0

Led by Pastor Tami

Praises & Prayers ~

Birthday Greetings this week to:

Violet Yoder – Sara Rush

Please pray for the mission work of Phil and Pat Rosenberger & Family in New Mexico. Jeanette Daley as she prepares for cataract surgery on her other eye on July 9. Cassidy Gehman will have an MRI on Thursday, July 2. Carol Lyn Herzog as she continues to recover from a mild heart attack at home. Kathy Mease and family as they mourn the passing of her mom Jean Link last week. Services were held yesterday. The health care needs of Helen Asbury, Bob Gehman, Sr., Libby Geissinger, Jamie Haas, Marcus Rush, Mildred Schantz, and Violet Yoder. All congregations in Mosaic Mennonite Conference are invited to pray the following: We pray with Jesus who was also angry about injustices that denied

the image of God imprinted on all people. We pray to move toward understanding the anger of others who

carry the fear and consequences of generations of white supremacy and racial injustice.

We pray that in this movement toward seeking racial justice, the full flourishing of all people and all places comes forth as God intends.

We pray God’s help to recover the well of spiritual depth that empowered our Mennonite forebearers to speak out against injustice and inhumanity.

Connecting For A Purpose

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Celebrating Our Lives Together ~

We are now offering in person worship under the pavilion. We are still encouraging those that are high risk to stay home and requiring anyone who is feeling sick to stay home. More info can be found at this link https://justswamp.com/worship-resources/information-for-regathering/. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Nathan or Bill Longacre. Honk…Honk! Starting next Sunday (July 5) we will have the ability to worship together from our cars. We have purchased an FM Transmitter and will be broadcasting our service on an FM station (more details to come). From 10-10:10am we will have a time of singing. We ask that you stay in your cars and keep your windows up. Then join us at 10:15am in the pavilion or remain in your car as we continue with the service. We hope this will give more of us the opportunity to gather together in worship. When depositing your offering envelope, be sure to pick up the latest copies of the following items on the table Our Daily Bread, Rejoice and the Summer Adult lesson booklet. Pastor Nathan is continuing to lead a time of prayer at noon Tuesday - Saturday on Facebook Live. Remember to check out “Reading in the Swamp”! New children’s stories for you and your children to enjoy are posted every Tuesday and Friday. Simply go to youtube.com and search for Swamp Mennonite Church. If you would like to read a story too, please contact Pastor Tami or Erin Gehman for more details.

This July, Everence will host a series of webinars focusing on retirement-related issues. Specific topics will include Medicare (July 9 and 23, 7:00 pm) and Social Security (July 16, 7:00 pm) and will be presented by staff from the Everence office in Souderton. For more information or to register, visit www.everence.com/souderton or contact Leah Ludwig at 215-703-0111 or leah.ludwig@everence.com. If you are in need of financial assistance, contact Pastor Nathan or a member of the Pastoral Care Team. In addition, Everence offers free financial counseling and lending services. Please contact Jim Landis - 610-509-0144 or Randy Nice directly at the Everence Office – 800-348-7468. Peaceful Living needs homemade cotton fabric face masks for individuals and employees. Masks with elastic ear bands are preferred. Please mail or drop off donated masks to Peaceful Living’s main office, placed in a zip-lock bag along with your name, address, and phone number or email. For instructions on making masks or more details, email mission@peacefulliving.org. Last Week’s Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,132.51 2020 Budget Need (Weekly) . . . . . . . . . .$6,020.15 YTD Surplus/Deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$-18,281.24 Last Week’s MEP Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . $996.89 19/20 MEP Budget Need (Weekly). . . .$2,622.54 Endowment Applied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.00 YTD Surplus/Deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$-20,751.27 Last Week’s Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65