Songs of SummerJuly 19: Psalm 1July 26: Psalm 69: 13-18, 30-36August 2: Psalm 27:1-8, 13-14August 9: Psalm 40: 1-3, 9-10, 16-17August 16: The 151st Psalm

Songs of Summer. Psalms of Summer.I’m taking a break from the “Revised Common Lectionary” over the next few weeks. I’ve included what that is at the bottom of this page. I’m going to focus on the Psalms. It took me years to appreciate the breadth and depth of the Psalms because poetry is difficult for me. I’m glad I forged on and kept at it because they are a treasure trove of beauty. Anything we’ve felt, not felt, believed, or not believed is contained in 150 Psalms. They are ancient words and they are today’s words, alive for us by the stirring of the Holy Spirit.

Come along with me.

Please read the Psalm for the week before worship. After this Sunday, open them early in the week. Meditate on them. Read the whole Psalm even though I’ll focus preaching on the verses indicated above. I’ll provide a few different translations each week, as you’ll see with Psalm 1 following.

Homework: As you meditate on the Psalm of the week, would you:1. Take some time to write it in your own words? Use the selected verses rather than the whole

Psalm if it is long.2. Write a prayer based on what you’ve written?

Notice August 16th: Psalm 151. Well, there is none in our scripture. I wrote one in celebration of a church musician many years ago. There are songs by that name.

Won’t you write a Psalm of your own and call it Psalm 151? Then write a prayer based on it? I will, as I won’t ask you to do what I won’t. Share yours with me and I’ll include it in the August 16 worship packet.

I hope you’ll participate with me. It’s hot. The virus marches on. And there are blessings all around us, glimpses of the goodness of God! The Psalms provide a balm for us during this season, giving voice to our deepest longings and concerns. They fortify us. Nurture us. Take some time with them. Laurie Palmer

~~~~~From Vanderbilt Divinity School : The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is a three-year cycle of weekly lections used to varying degrees by the vast majority of mainline Protestant churches in Canada and the United States. The RCL is built around the seasons of the Church Year, and includes four lections for each Sunday, as well as additional readings for major feast days. During most of the year, the lections are: a reading from the Hebrew Bible, a Psalm, a reading from the Epistles, and a Gospel reading. During the season of Easter, the Hebrew Bible lection is usually replaced with one from the Acts of the Apostles. The RCL focuses on the life of Jesus Christ.

(This is why there is some surprise sometimes when you’ve noticed that your hometown pastor and I have preached on the same text on the same day.)

July 19, 2020 PRAYER LIST

“…for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous….” Psalm 1:5b

Ed Jackfert is in the VA; Cookie, Janice, Jody Jackfert

Meghan Petrofsky in the death of her father, George Germinder.

Christa Weaver, Frank’s daughter, recovering from Covid-19.

Marcello Tulipano after the death of Greg Scott

Danielle McGill, seeking meaningful employment

Bill Golden: mother, Mary Alice, is ill with Covid-19 in CO; and after the death of Ray Lewis

Jon and Robin Hesselink

Anne Girtman, medical testing

Brian Wirth, Laurie Palmer’s twin brother

Charles Johnson is a Mission Co-Worker in the PCUSA and a friend of the Palmers. His mother, 91, has Covid-19.

Rev. Jimmy Cazin, slowly recovering from Covid-19

Jeannie and Frank Weaver

Lorina Scheffler, Sharon Roger’s sister

Wendy Cloutier, Dave and Mary Wharton’s daughter

Bonnie MacGregor, Otto Szorenyl, friends of Bob and Lori Winter

Bonnie and Gene Haskins

Ed and Cookie Jackfert, Janice and Jody Jackfert

Linda McDonnell

Joe, Laurie Palmer's friend

Bobby O'Neal, Diane Wheeler's father

Tom Stoffel, Hank and Deb Belusa's brother-in-law, healing after a heart transplant

Joan Wilson, Nancy Scott's aunt

Presbytery of Tampa Bay: Patrice Hatley, Presbyter (Coach and Coordinator); Bill Wildhack, Stated Clerk; Libby Shannon, Associate for Emerging Ministries

Gene Haskins #224, and Ed and Cookie Jackfert #321, Discovery Village: 17470 Brookside Trace Ct, Tampa, 33647

Psalm 1, New Revised Standard Version (this is the version usually used in worship)Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread,  or sit in the seat of scoffers;2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD,  and on God’s law they meditate day and night.3 They are like trees  planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.In all that they do, they prosper.4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,  nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 The Message (MSG), Transliteration by Eugene Petersen1 How well God must like you—you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.2-3 Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month,Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust—Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.6 GOD charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.

Psalm 1: New Living Bible Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,    or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.    Sinners will have no place among the godly.6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1: New English TranslationHow blessed are those who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers. 2 Instead they find pleasure in obeying the LORD’s commands; they meditate on God’s commands day and night.3 They are like trees planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. They succeed in everything they attempt. 4 Not so with the wicked!Instead they are like wind-driven chaff.

5 For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. 6 Certainly the LORD guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction.

Psalm 1: The Inclusive BibleHappiness comes to those who reject the path of violence,who refuse to associate with criminals or even sit with people who belittle others.Happiness comes to those who delight in the law of Yahweh and meditate on it day and night.They’re like trees planted by flowing water—they bear fruit in every season, and their leaves never wither: everything they do will prosper.But not wrongdoers!They’re like chaff that the wind blows away.They won’t have a taproot to anchor them when judgment comes,Nor will corrupt individuals be given a place at the Gathering of the Just. Yahweh watches over the steps of those who do justice; but those on a path of violence and injustice will find themselves irretrievably lost. Psalm 1: Laurie Palmer’s transliteration I am glad when I don’t take the advice of evil people, or follow where they lead, I don’t want to ridicule people. I love the Word of the Lord, and the spirit of the Law. I think about it when I wake and when I lie down; at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; when I take a walk or cook or work or nap. I am like a tree planted by a stream of water. The stream of water nourishes me. Living Water.I will give yield and do the will of God even when I don’t suspect it. I won’t faint or give up because of the Living Water rushing by me, who continues to give me life. I will thrive in all I do because it is God that gives me the will. I will do the will of God as God wills me. Evil people are not like this. The get blown in this direction or that, depending on what shiny thing catches their eye in the moment. The way of the wicked perishes in due time, and it is always just a matter of time. They will be goats when Jesus separates sheep from goats. They cannot stand in the midst of sinning sheep. They are lost.

Holy God,I lift to Your care the righteous and the evil. I lift to You my ridicule. I lift to You thanksgiving for Your Holy Word. I lift to You my work, and pray that it is Yours. Mostly, I thank You for Living Water that nourishes and sustains no matter come what may. I pray in Jesus’ name, who is alone Living Water. Amen.

We Gather to Praise GodWe light the Christ candle to remind us of the presence of God who has called us to worship.

Welcome and Announcements Rev. Laurie Palmer

Today is Communion Sunday. Please have bread and cup ready at home.

Worship song requests today: Brad Reinhold, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail);” Meghan Petrofsky, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing;” Phyllis Keith, “On Eagle’s Wings”

Session Meeting, Monday, July 20, 6:00 PMPrayer Ministry, Tuesday, July 21, 7:00 PMBible Study, Wednesday, July 22, 11:00 AM, John 10

We Worship God

Call to Worship, verses from Genesis 1 and 2 Rev. Dr. Heather HartsellThen God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And the LORD God commanded them, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you

Gathering “Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail)” Hillsong

We Prepare to Hear the Word of God

Call to Confession

Confession of Sin Rev. Dr. Heather HartsellHoly God, for any moment when we’ve chosen evil over good, forgive us;When we sought our own will over Yours, forgive us; When we have been the scoffer—ridiculing others—forgive us. There are times when we have not stood as a witness to Your mercy and love like a grand tree by a creek of tumbling water. Hear our silent confession:

~Silence for personal confession~

Holy God, You yearn for us to do good, to do Your will, and walk Your justice walk. We are grateful for the forgiveness of our sin in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon, Job 14:7 Rev. Dr. Heather Hartsell“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.” So it is for us. We sin, we chop ourselves down, and God sprouts us anew every single day, new every morning, that we may bear fruit for the glory of Christ. Our sin is forgiven in Jesus Christ. Be free in Him. Amen.

Response “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Chris Rice sings, written by Robert Robinson

Sharing Faith with Young Disciples Ruling Elder Paula Salter

Call to Offering and Prayer of Dedication Rev. Dr. Heather HartsellBring your finest gifts to the Lord!Bring your hearts, minds, talents, and resources to the Lord!We give in response to God’s amazing grace, and in gratitude for the gift of the Body of Christ. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving. Let us pray:Almighty God, “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee;Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise,let them flow in ceaseless praise.” We give ourselves to You in Christ’s name. Amen.

The Word of God

Psalm 1, New Revised Standard Version Rev. Laurie PalmerHappy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread,  or sit in the seat of scoffers;2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD,  and on God’s law they meditate day and night.3 They are like trees  planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.In all that they do, they prosper.4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,  nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Revelation 2:7 Rev. Laurie PalmerLet anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

Communion Homily Rev. Laurie Palmer

The Lord’s Supper

The Invitation to the Table Rev. Laurie Palmer

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s PrayerPrayer by John Lewis from “Walking With the Wind.”

“This morning, our heavenly Father, it’s once more and again that we come before You with knee bent and body bowed in humble submission, thanking You for last night’s slumber and this morning’s rising, finding that our bed was not our cooling board and our last night’s cover was not our winding sheet. Our bodies were not wrapped up in the clay of the grave and the four walls of our room were not the walls of our grave. We stopped right here to say thank You and that You abled us to look out our winder and see Your darling sun rise in the east and make its way across the blue and settle behind the western hills. Thank You, Lord.

We thank You, Lord, that the fowl of the air are Thine, the fish that swim the mighty deep are Thine, and the cattle of the hills. We thank You for putting food on our table, shoes on our feet, and a place to lay our heads. Lord, if we haven’t been too mean, we ask forgiveness of our sins that they will not rise against us in this world or in the next.

Sweet Jesus, when we come to the end of life’s journey, give our souls a resting place somewhere in Your kingdom where we can praise Your name forever, where every day will be Sunday and Sabbath and will have no end. This is Your servant’s prayer in Jesus’ name.”

We thank You for today because today is all we have before us, and we are grateful for this time to worship You. We lift up our beloved family members and friends in need of Your healing presence. Hear our prayers in our silence…..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.The Words of InstitutionSharing the Bread and CupPrayer after Communion Rev. Dr. Heather Hartsell Sending Song “On Eagle’s Wings” Chris Brunelle sings; written by Michael Joncas Benediction