SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS AT HOME WORSHIPEIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

JULY 18, 2021

PRAYER OF THE DAYO God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

GOSPEL READING: MARK 6: 30-34,53-56When Jesus sends his disciples out to teach and heal, they minister among large numbers of people. Their work is motivated by Christ’s desire to be among those in need.

30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

GOSPEL REFLECTION BY ASSISTING MINISTER TERRY SCHREIER

This is an area in the Gospel of Mark which is of great familiarity. It is the prelude to Jesus performing another miracle, this time of feeding the five thousand gathered on the hillsides.  This was before Jesus and the disciples "...crossed over..." to Gennesaret, the plain which was considered a garden spot of Palestine, fertile and well watered, a perfect place (assumedly) for them to rest and to be refreshed.

So how do we hear God revealing His love here?  Jesus (and God through Jesus) had compassion for the disciples whom had just returned from their first "tours", reporting to Jesus all that they had done and taught. And so I hear God being sensitive to the disciples (through Jesus), encouraging them to go with Jesus to get some well deserved rest and reflection—something that we could take advantage of as well.

How do I hear the Holy Spirit revealing God's Grace in these passages?  I personally hear the Holy Spirit revealing God's Grace when I read that as soon as they all got out of the boat that had transported them there, people recognized Jesus and they ran to Him...wanting to be healed.

And so how do I hear God calling me, as an individual, and us as a faith family to respond? Perhaps we are called to share and to report to one another as individuals and as an assembled faith family about all that we have done and taught. Maybe we continue to respond as individuals and as a faith family by supporting or Little Free Pantry or by prayer. Because prayer is indeed powerful!

HYMN OF THE DAY| SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US—4HIM HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SQE8SLFJX- O

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSIONRooted in Christ and sustained by the Spirit, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.A brief silence.

Tend your church, O God. Encourage bishops, pastors, and deacons in their proclamation of the gospel. Raise up new leaders and encourage those pursuing a call to ministry. Embolden all the baptized to embody your love and justice. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Restore your creation, O God. Sustain croplands and pastures and safeguard all farm animals and livestock. Preserve lakes, rivers, and streams that offer refreshment. Revive lands recovering from natural disasters and protect coastlands threatened by rising oceans. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Reconcile the nations, O God. Break down the dividing walls that make us strangers to one another and unite us as one human family. Equip leaders to deal wisely with conflict and guide diplomats who seek peaceful solutions. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Heal your people, O God. Look with compassion on immigrants, exiles, and all who are afraid or feel lost. Give rest to those who are weary, comfort to those who are grieving, and recovery to those who are ill, especially those we lift on our Prayer Chain. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Nourish this congregation, O God. Prepare a table where we receive food for our hungering spirits. Renew our commitment to provide for one another and revitalize our ministries of feeding and nurturing hungry neighbors. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

You lead us home, O God. We give thanks for all who have died, now citizens with the saints, especially Mike, Nancy, Bonnie and Perry. As you have received them into your heavenly home, so welcome all of us to dwell in your house forever. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We lift these and all our prayers to you, O God, confident in the promise of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FURTHER READINGS:Here are the lessons for the Day so you can read further:

First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Second Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22Psalm: Psalm 23

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP: Click on the items below for children’s activities:

BENEDICTION & SENDINGGo forth this morning, to greet the world at work, as here, the Lord has greeted us in worship.Go forth in the name of God the Creator, whose awesome strength empowers us;in the name of Christ the Redeemer, whose love transforms us;and in the name of the Holy Spirit, whose gentle presence guides us. Amen.

SHEPHERD CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEEK OF JULY 18– JULY 25, 2021 JULY BIRTHDAYS:

CLAUDIA G. JULY 16JESSIKA C. JULY 19PAULA B. JULY 21ERIC M. JULY 28

Sunday, July 18 th —Eighth Sunday in Pentecost 9:30 a.m.— Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship w/Holy Communion

Wednesday, July 21 st 11:00 a.m.—Amazing Grace Bible Study by Zoom

Friday, July 23 rd 7:00 a.m. — Men’s Zoom Breakfast Bible Study5:00 p.m.—Friday Night Perspectives Zoom Gathering

Sunday, July 25 th 9:30 a.m.—Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship with Holy Communion

DAILY LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 18, 2021, YEAR B:Monday, July 19, 2021

Psalm 100; Jeremiah 50:1-7; Hebrews 13:17-25

Tuesday, July 20, 2021Psalm 100; Zechariah 9:14-10:2; Acts 20:17-38

Wednesday, July 21, 2021Psalm 100; 2 Samuel 5:1-12; Luke 15:1-7

Thursday, July 22, 2021Psalm 145:10-18; 1 Kings 19:19-21; Colossians 1:9-14

Friday, July 23, 2021Psalm 145:10-18; 2 Kings 3:4-20; Colossians 3:12-17

Saturday, July 24, 2021Psalm 145:10-18; 2 Kings 4:38-41; John 4:31-38

Sunday, July 25, 2021 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

JULY BIRTHDAYS:CLAUDIA G. JULY 16JESSIKA C. JULY 19PAULA B. JULY 21ERIC M. JULY 28