Seventh & James Baptist Church August 22, 2021 11:00 a.m. The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - seventhandjames.org
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Seventh & James Baptist Church
August 22, 2021 · 11:00 a.m.
The Thirteenth Sunday after PentecostSeventh & James Baptist Church
August 22, 2021 · 11:00 a.m.
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Chiming of the Hour
Meditation “Mornings Hope—Interlude of Solace”
Welcome and Call to Worship Scott Turner
You are so young, so before all beginning, and I want to beg you, as much as I can,
dear sir, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the
questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign
tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would
not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.
— Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
Musical Summons “My Song is Love Unknown” Stephen Gusukuma
Litany of Inclusivity Matt Rosencrans
One: God of all peoples of the earth, we gather in your presence aware of the vastness
of your world and the intimacy of your concern.
Many: We pray for our society, populated by billions of people and filled with
too much division.
One: We pray for the smaller world around us; for the members of our families; for
friends who share our concerns; for those who depend on us and on whom we depend.
Many: Keep teaching us that your circle is always larger than our perceptions
for we are tempted to get cozy with a few and neglect the many.
One: Help us repent of our small vision, to break out of all that confines us on our right
and on our left.
Many: Transform us to live by your expansive vision. Direct our eyes beyond
the visible to see your kingdom breaking into our lives. Let us transform
Gospel words into action, living out the truth that Christ has broken down the
dividing walls of all that would hinder our being united in his name.
(adapted from: Sharlande Sledge, Prayers & Litanies for the Christian Seasons)
Prayer of Thanksgiving Matt RosencransOld Testament Reading 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43 Viola Osborn
Epistle Reading Ephesians 6:10-20 Emily Ball
Gospel Reading John 6:56-69 Erin Conaway
One: This is the Word of the Lord.
Many: Thanks be to God.
Prayers of God’s People Erin Conaway
Offertory “This Is My Father’s World”
Carmen Conaway, soprano
Offering plates are available at the doors of the sanctuary as you leave worship.
Children’s Sermon Leslie Rosencrans
First Grade Bible Presentation
Benjamin Morgan Coker
Eri Min Hatakeyama
Orion Moore
Edward James Smith
All children are invited to come forward for the Children’s Sermon.
Preschoolers [ages 4-kindergarten] may then go to Extended Session.
Responsive Reading of Psalm 84 Stephen Gusukuma
One: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
Many: My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and
my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
One: Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may
lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Many: Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
One: Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to
Zion.
Many: As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.One: They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Many: O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
One: Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
Many: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would
rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of
wickedness.
One: For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing
does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Many: O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Sermon “Prayers of Strangers…” Erin Conaway
(1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43)
Silent Reflection
We the people of this continent are not afraid of foreigners because many of us were
once foreigners.
— Pope Francis
Hymn of Commitment, No. 48 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
If you would like to make a public profession of your faith in Christ
or request membership in this congregation, our ministers
will greet you at the front of the sanctuary.
Congregational Response
In response to your decision, we pledge ourselves to be the
family of God for you in this place; we offer you our love, our care,
our kinship, and our hopes; we hope to learn from you, give to you,
and receive from you, by God’s grace. Amen.
Pastoral Blessing Erin Conaway
Postlude “The Church’s One Foundation”Today at Seventh
Our Pianist today is Tommy Edds.
The Sanctuary Flowers are given in celebration of Mary Darden’s birthday, August 23.
Updated Mask Policy:
Due to the rise of COVID cases in our community, Seventh has updated our mask
policy. Following the recommendation of our local health district, masks and social
distancing are now strongly preferred for all in-person church events. Since our
children are still not vaccinated, our children’s teachers and volunteers will continue to
mask. We will continue monitoring the situation and will adjust accordingly. If you have
questions or concerns regarding this update, please speak with one of the ministers.
• Masks are strongly preferred for all in-person gatherings.
• Paper worship guides will be available. A PDF of the worship guide is also
available via QR code.
• Offering plates will be available by the doors of the sanctuary as you leave
worship.
Should there be a COVID positive case within our in-person gatherings, we will return
to all virtual activities.
We will continue to livestream our worship services so we are able to include our entire
church family.Seventh & James Announcements
To find out more about what is happening in the life of Seventh & James, scan the
QR code with the camera on your smart phone or follow this link. The prayer list
and church directory are included in weekly church emails.
Giving to Seventh & James
Your faithful giving ensures we can continue to live out our ministry and mission
in this place. Offering plates are available at the doors of the sanctuary. You can
mail your gift to the church or give online by scanning the QR code with the
camera on your smart phone or by clicking on this link.
Visiting with Us?
We are delighted that you have joined us for worship today. In order to get to
know you, please take a moment to fill out our Guest form. You can scan the QR
code with the camera on your smart phone or click this link to complete the form.
Seventh & James Baptist Church
602 James Avenue • Waco, Texas 76706
254-753-6425 • www.seventhandjames.org
Lydia Bratcher Paula Hoover Matt Rosencrans
Organist Coordinator, Children’s Choirs Associate Pastor
lydia@seventhandjames.org paula.hoover@wacoisd.org matt@seventhandjames.org
Erin Conaway Drew Jackson Scott Turner
Pastor Director, Youth Choir Minister of Youth
erin@seventhandjames.org drew_jackson1@baylor.edu scottturner512@gmail.com
Lorie Crowder Hannah Kucera Valerie Willis
Director, Handbell Choirs Financial Manager Executive Administrative Assistant
lorie@seventhandjames.org support@seventhandjames.org valwillis@seventhandjames.org
Stephen Gusukuma Leslie Rosencrans
Minister of Music Associate Pastor
stephen@seventhandjames.org leslie@seventhandjames.orgYou can also read
