A Service of Worship for Sunday, June 21, 2020 —
Old First Church, Philadelphia, PA
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Rev. Michael Caine, pastor; Holly Phares, music director; William Lowden, organist
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Reminder: The Zoom 5 minute grace period that we have been observing is over! And we have gone to our early summer hours.
Michael will begin worship with the Welcome when he hears the bells at St. Augustine’s, at 10 o’clock on the dot.
Welcome
Prelude Pastorale
Giuseppe Sammartini
Silence “What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it hides a well…”
(Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince)
Words of Gathering
The Hebrew name “Ishmael” means “God hears.”
In the bible reading for today, though it is mostly about him and his mom, the only time Ishmael’s name appears is in the beginning of the 17th verse when the text says “And God heard… or in Hebrew ‘Ishmael”…
God heard the voice of the boy.
Will you repeat after me, the opening of the 86th Psalm,
Incline your ear, O LORD (let second voice repeat)
And answer me, for I am poor and needy.(let second voice repeat)
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; (let second voice repeat)
Save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God. (let second voice repeat)
Confession
Who have I put out, Lord?
How have I shown my preferences in ways that have done others harm?
What relations have I cut off?
Are there ways my promise is another’s burden?
What responsibility have I cast away as if it mattered not the least?
Silence
Assurance
The Passing of the Peace — do you have a sentence or promise of God’s peace to share?
A Time with the Children We All Have a Father
The Scripture Genesis 21: 8-21
The Sermon God of the Abandoned and Rejected
Affirmation of Faith — adapted from the Belhar Confession of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
We believe that God is the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people.
We believe that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor, and the wronged.
HYMN There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy Julie Steiner, vocalist
William Lowden, organist
There’s a wideness in God‘s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God‘s justice, which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where earthly sorrows are more felt than in God’s heaven;
There is no place where earthly failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is brighter than the measures of our minds;
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God‘s word;
And our lives would show thanksgiving for the goodness of our God.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (using sins, debts or trespasses as you wish)
The Offering
Offertory Softly and Tenderly
arr. Michael Cox
Dedication
Community Life
- Children’s Bible Storytime
- Lunch with the Pastor
- Adult Bible Study
- Prayer Group
- Shawl Ministry Team
- WISE Training
Benediction — Larry Waddell
Postlude Allegretto
Henry Purcell
