THE LOG CHURCH BULLETIN - JUNE 28

June 27, 2020 

 
Opening Song

Call to Worship

We are soon to arrive at the time of our celebration of the birth of our country. Independence Day!
The 4^th of July! Freedom!
Yet, in this time of the celebration of our freedom, perhaps as never before have we felt so constrained in our activities. Lockdowns.
No hugging.
Six feet social distancing.
Facemasks.
Stay home!

But today we have ventured out of our individual places of isolation long enough to learn about another source of constraint. It is not a constraint placed upon us by a government mandate, nor is it a constraint that is motivated by fear. Rather, it is a constraint of love. It is the constraint of the love of Christ.

Invocation Prayer

Our Loving Father, we live in a world filled with fears. People fear disease and pandemics. They fear war and death. They fear shortages and famine. But you have told us that we are not to fear these things.

You have said to us “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Thank you for these promises, and thank you for teaching us this morning about your love.  Amen

Selected Reading – Psalm 52:8-9 

I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

I will thank you forever, because you have done it.

I will wait for your name in the presence of the godly, for it is good.

Prayer of Confession

Dear Father, our entire week is filled with warnings. By the time Sunday comes around, we are ready for some promises, especially if they are promises that we can rely on to be true. In this hour, help us to turn our thoughts to what you have to say to each one of us as individuals. Also, as we meet together as your children and your body here on earth, be pleased with our praise unto you. You are our Father and Sustainer. Amen

Words of Assurance

Here is another promise given to believers from Isaiah 54:10: “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

The Lord’s Prayer

Song of Faith

Scripture Reading:

OT – Zephaniah 3:16-17 

Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love.

He will exult over you with loud singing.

NT – Romans 8:37-39 

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Responsorial Reading  (selections from Isaiah 30)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;

To him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;

To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;

To him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;

To him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;

The sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;

The moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever…

It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;

And rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;

He who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Message           Constrains

Song of Unity 

Offering     (Please place you offering in the basket on the table as you leave. Thank you!)

Prayer of Intercession

God of Love, we are thankful that we can bring our requests to you this morning. We pray with thankful hearts, because we know that you have only the best intentions for us and are working to bring us to complete fullness of life.

Thank you also for hearing our prayers concerning those who have been abandoned or forgotten by society. We know that you have not forgotten them. Help us to also not forget them. Help us to know how to reach out to give ourselves in service to those who need a hand of support.

We pray for those of our community who are facing needs or crises of one sort or another. We pray also for our churches and orphanage in Kenya. These are suffering with the restrictions of the pandemic far more that most. Please provide for them and open a future path for them.

We pray for those present with us today whose problems are of such a personal nature that they do not feel comfortable telling others of these needs. Although we do not know of these needs specifically, you know them. Please minister to these individuals. Heal them, comfort them, supply their physical needs, and encourage them.

We continue also to pray for our nation in this time of our own testing. Give our leaders and give all of us clear vision, so that we can see solutions not only for what may affect us personally and for today, but for all the people of our nation, for both the present and the future.

Thank you for your gracious answer to all of our prayers.

Thank you Father, for listening to the voices of all of your servants. Amen

Closing Song

Benediction and Prayer