Valley Days I Am Celebration for the Community. 

Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists performing hymns of traditional foundation. 

Everyone is Welcome!  

Introduction:  

We see and hear the first “I am” statement from Jesus’ teachings in John’s gospel message today. I am the manna. I am the bread of life. God has provided His people manna, bread from heaven, just as Jesus fed 5000 with the loaves of bread. John wants to bring his message to us to trust in Jesus. 

In our reading from 1 Kings today, Elijah finds himself in the wilderness, crying out to the Lord to come take his life. Have we felt like this ever in our own lives? Chances are we may have felt so oppressed, in pain, or even consider ourselves so complete, that we cry out to the Lord, come take me. Would not eternal rest best anything we may experience here on God’s planet Earth? Of course our compassionate Lord sends angels to Elijah. May the Lord bless us all! 

The reading from the prophet Samuel today takes us into David’s life of violent experiences. David must come to grips with a son, Absolom, who threatens David’s life on the throne. David grieves the death of his son as only a father can. We can liken this to our Father God loving us unconditionally, even though we continue to sin. Although David could not restore Absolom, we trust that our Father God, can and will restore us when we turn back to Him in His forgiveness for our sins. 

In Psalm 34 David brings us a testimony, a life story, events in David’s life that formed his character. David needed the Lord to provide him with life or his life as he knew it would be snuffed out. As God delivered David, we must have faith God will deliver us. 

As Paul spoke to the Ephesians in today’s reading, he also speaks to us. In speaking to our neighbors, demonstrate love and concern. 

So much message! 

 

Rescue Me Lord 

Shipwrecked VBS 

Scripture: 

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33. 

(1 Kings 19:4-8). 

Psalm 34:1-8. 

New Testament: Ephesians 4:25-5:2. 

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51. 

Prayer: O God, sustain us in the complexity of our humanity as you sustained David, playing the harp of youth, throwing stones at giant problems, loving our friends beyond wisdom, dancing worship, mourning children, breaking our hearts in psalms, and longing for warmth in our old bones. Amen. 

Where Charity and Love Prevail

Omar Westendorf (1961). 

Jesuit Singers 

Prayer Intentions: 

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world. 

Prayers of the People, 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.  

Apostles Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). 

Our Father 

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord).  (Matthew 6:9-13). 

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Handshake of Peace 

Confession 

The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Communion Hymn

I Am

Crowder 

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  – Matthew 26:26-28(ESV). 

Communion

Prayer: Bread of heaven, you feed us in the depths of grief, sin, and hostility. Nourish us with your word through the long hours of tears, and in the dawning awareness of our need for forgiveness, so that we may be redeemed by your steadfast love. Amen. 

Closing Hymn. 

Alleluia Sing to Jesus 

Chatterton Dix 1866). 

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26. 

The Service has ended. Go in Peace. 

Thanks be to God.