Virtual Worship – June 28, 2020

The Service For The Lord’s Day THE 4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

JUNE 28, 2020 WHENEVER “The chicken is involved in breakfast, but the pig is committed.”

…Business Parable

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship

PRELUDE VIDEO “Deum Verum” (Psallentes) PRELUDE (Brandon Cook)

CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 89) God’s love is our song and we will sing it. We will forever tell everyone how faithful our God is.

We will never quit telling the story of God’s love. We will speak of how God built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. We will sing of the love that has always been our firm foundation. We will exclaim that God’s fidelity has been the roof over our world.

Let the entire universe praise God’s wonderful ways; let choirs of angels sing of his faith. If we search high and low, scan both skies and land, we can find nothing and no one to compare to the God we gather to worship.

All we are and all we have we owe to the One we gather to praise. The holy God of Israel is our King; we are the happy people who know the festal shout and walk in the light of God’s countenance.

We gather to exult God’s name all the day long, to extol his righteousness with our offering of praise. Selah! Amen!

CHIMES OF THE HOLY TRINITY

* HYMN # 488 “The God of Abraham Praise”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison prayer) Time and again Lord, you make it clear that the sacrifice you desire is a pure and contrite heart, one broken by the recognition of our sin. Yet time and again, we find it easier to go through the motions of being religious rather than humbling ourselves before you. It's more comfortable to sit back in our comfort than respond to your call to love the unlovely. It's easier to complain about differences than to work for reconciliation. It's less threatening to make an offering than to serve a meal and risk being infected with Covid. Forgiving others is hard, and we prefer to hold on to our hurts. Forgive us, merciful Savior. Forgive our failures, our pettiness, and our lack of faith. Forgive us for choosing the easy way rather than the way of the cross. In your mercy, help us be more like Jesus. Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE # 572 “Kyrie”

Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* RESPONSE “Gloria Patri”

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(If you are worshiping with family this morning, share the peace of Christ with them; If this reminds you of someone you might need to reach out to, make a note to send them an email or text and share Christ’s peace that way.)

Proclaiming the Word PRAYER OF THE DAY (liturgist) FIRST READING: Genesis 22: 1 - 14

ANTHEM (Brandon Cook)

SECOND READING: Matthew 17: 14 – 20 (last page)

SERMON “Faith, Fathers, Sons, Fire and Knives: Nobody Better Call Child Protective Services” (Rev. Sellers)

(Today’s “cliff notes” sermon will be followed up with a more in-depth sermon that will be a separate video uploaded on Sunday.)

Responding to the Word

* HYMN # 2166 “Christ Beside Me”

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from A Brief Statement of Faith) In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. Amen.

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD As you listen to the video offertory this morning, please take a moment or two to be intentional in your support of our churches. However you do it, remember that this is more than supporting staff or paying bills; this is accepting the opportunity of being a part of what God is doing in our world.

VIDEO OFFERTORY “All My Trials” (Holy Cross College Choir)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Carrying the Word Into the World

* HYMN # 2196 “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight” * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE * VIDEO POSTLUDE “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565” (J. S. Bach)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

PRAYER REQUEST REMINDERS: You can use the contact form on either church website to share a prayer request with everyone in both congregations. https://mulberrypc.org/contact/ or https://christpccharlotte.org/contact/ .

Christ Contact Information www.christpccharlotte.org

Pastor: Rev. Rodger Sellers rpsellers@gmail.com 704-796-3117

Admin: Tina Emmons tinaemmons@ymail.com

Music Dir: Brandon Cook kbrandco@aol.com 704-941-9400

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “In June, as I walked along the main street in Chinatown in San Francisco, I came upon a little shop that had the image of a Laughing Buddha sitting at the entrance. Beside it was a sign that read, "For wisdom, rub my head. For good luck, rub my belly." I looked closely at the Laughing Buddha. I looked at the tummy, the focus of good luck, and saw that almost all of the paint was worn off. I looked at the head, the focus of wisdom, and saw that the paint there looked as if no one had ever touched the head.”

Rev. James Cox

“A pig and a chicken were walking down the road. As they passed a church, they noticed that a potluck charity breakfast was under way. Caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution. ‘Great Idea!’ the chicken cried. ‘Let’s offer them ham and eggs!’ ‘Not so fast,’ said the pig. ‘For you, that’s just a contribution, but for me, it’s a total commitment.’”

… Jackie Zehner SERVICE NOTES: Today’s Video Prelude, “Deum Verum,” is one of the oldest forms of worship music in existence. A Gregorian Chant in Latin, ascribed to St. Ambrose and written sometime in the 4th century, it is a part of the “Matins Invitatory,” where God as Trinity is exalted and praised as “Very God, One in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, O Come, let us worship.” This version was recorded by the Gregorian chant ensemble “Psallentes” from Leuven, Belgium.

The video clips during today’s sermon are from the noted actor / writer / storyteller Curt Cloniger. Curt has been traveling and sharing the gospel through his drama since 1982. His one-man shows include “God Views,” “Witnesses,” “Visiting Hours,” and “The Theologian.” All are available on YouTube and will stun you with his ability to proclaim the gospel through comedy and drama.

Today’s Video Offertory, “All My Trials,” is a folk song popularized during the social protest movements of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Based on a Bahamian lullaby that tells the story of a mother on her deathbed, comforting her children. It reminds us through the ages that no matter how bleak the situation seems, the struggle will “soon be over.” This version of the song was arranged by the noted arranger and choir director Norman Luboff and is performed by the Choir of Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Today’s Video Postlude, “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565” is perhaps the most well-known piece of sacred organ music in the entire world. Written sometime in the early 1700s (the exact date is unknown) by Johann Sebastian Bach, this particular rendition was performed by noted European Organist Hans-André Stamm on the Trost-Organ in the “Stadtkirche (“town church”) in Waltershausen, Germany, one of the largest baroque organs in Europe.

Happy Birthdays to: Mike Tano, Monday, June 29th Barry Wood, Wednesday, July 1st Ruth Long, Saturday, July 4th Terrell Campbell, Monday, July 6th Mary Ellen Robinson, Wed. July 8th

MULBERRY CONTACT INFORMATION

www.mulberrypc.org

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – June 28, 2020 (Updated as of Friday, June 26th)

Pray for: Pray for all those who have just recently tested positive for COVID-19 in the recent rise

of infections. Pray for the worship leadership of The Grove Presbyterian Church, who have been

exposed to the corona virus. (2 members have tested positive.) Pray for Matt Drumheller, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Albermarle, who has been

exposed to covid and awaits test results. Pray for the family of Keith Davis (Lee West’s friend), who passed away this past

week. Continue to pray for Bill Thomason and family and the treatment for his eye. Pray for Gayl Wilshire’s (Judy Sellers co-worker) continued recovery from Achilles

tendon surgery. Pray for the family of John Sellers (Rodger’s father), who died early on Saturday

morning.. Tymire Campbell (Tamika Scott’s son): Some recent problems and issues. Everyone who is experiencing anxiety and depression due to the ongoing limitations

and restrictions in our daily lives. Those out of work and struggling to make ends meet financially. Lewis West, for continued healing in his back. Our friends and family in assisted living or nursing homes who can’t have visitors, like

Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Louise Carter, Lorraine Smith, Lorenzo Conyers. All our members and friends that we’ve not had regular contact with lately. All those who do not have a church family to love and support them in difficult times. The Lorien Academy of the Arts, as they plan for their summer camp. The Creative Player Foundation, as they also try to figure out how to move forward

with summer program plans. All our church leaders who are prayerfully looking at how we continue to safely and

responsibly move forward in our plans for reopening.

Announcements and Notes REOPENING PLANS: With the announcement yesterday that NC will remain in phase 2 of

Governor Cooper’s reopening plan through July 17th, our target date of reopening worship has been moved to Sunday, July 19th at the earliest. Also, as a result of the latest executive order, we will require that everyone present wear masks as they physically come to worship. Our policy continues – as it has been – to adopt a “better safe than sorry” mindset to avoid the risk of transmitting the corona virus to anyone we might come into contact with at either of our churches. As always, we’ll share more info. as we receive it and can make informed and responsible choices.

THURSDAY NIGHT VIRTUAL WORSHIP TAPING SESSION: If you would like to attend this coming week’s virtual worship taping session on July 2nd at Mulberry, please either call or email Rodger beforehand. Attendance is capped at 10 people and begins at 6:30 PM. Due to the recent rise in Covid infections and Governor Cooper’s executive order of June 24th, masks are REQUIRED to attend in person.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN A PARKING LOT FELLOWSHIP GET TOGETHER? Some of the churches in Charlotte Presbytery have found a way to “scratch the itch” we all have to see and catch up with one another. Zoom calls just don’t suffice for many, so what do you think about scheduling a parking lot fellowship time to either drive in, sit out on the lawn (with strict social distancing, masks, AND your own lawn chair) and be able to see one another even if we aren’t inside and can’t get close? Let us know if this is something you would be interested in and we’ll look to schedule one on an upcoming Sunday. (We might rotate one gathering between CPC and MPC for a couple of weeks to have a chance to see one another’s faces again.)

The WEEKLY “ZOOM IN” CATCH UP THIS WEEK: Join us at 6 PM Wednesday to catch

up with everyone. If you need the meeting ID # and password, let Rodger know and he will email it to you.

WEBSITE UPDATES / CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: The weekly “Devotionals to Go” are now on both websites each week. On the MPC website, look for the “Devotionals to Go” sub-menu item under the “News” menu; on CPC’s the “Devotionals to Go” is a main menu item.

THE PC(USA) GENERAL ASSEMBLY: This year’s online General Assembly continued this weekend, led by our new co-moderators, Elona Street-Steward and Rev. Gregory Bentley.

Genesis 22: 1 – 14: 1 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

9 When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Matthew 17: 14 – 20: 14 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”