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7.12.20 - The Seeds, the Soil, the Sower


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Prelude Pondering
Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, who know that without darkness nothing comes to birth, and without light nothing flowers.     --May Sarton


God’s People Gather
*Welcome with Christina

*Prelude with Emma & Erik

*Call to Worship (Isaiah 55:10-13)with Segue

Leader: It is God who makes the rain come from heaven to water the earth.
People: Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
Leader: God sows the seed and causes the grain to grow.
People: God’s word does not return empty, but accomplishes God’s purposes.
ALL: Let us worship God!

*Opening Song - Open My Heart

*Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, & Assurance of Pardon

So many times in our lives, we hold back, failing to even try to follow Jesus. Other times, we run ahead, not considering whether God might be calling us to wait. But in every circumstance, we can trust that when we sin, God forgives. Relying on God’s mercy, we now pray together our prayer of confession.
Loving God, we know that we are often too cautious to share your love. We tell ourselves that we are being prudent, or careful, but sometimes we are simply being stingy or judgmental. We do not care for the needy as we should; we judge those who ask for help. We hold back on our giving and tell ourselves that we will be more generous when we have more resources; but the day never comes when we feel secure in our wealth. We are reluctant to share the good news of your grace, and we justify ourselves by believing that people already know about you. Forgive us, God! Make our care for the needy as unstinting as yours; make our generosity bigger than our fear; make us always ready to speak your grace to a hurting world. We pray in Jesus’ name.
Silence is kept
Leader: Friends, hear the good news: There is now no condemnation for those of us who belong to Jesus Christ! We no do not live under the threat of God’s judgment; through Jesus we have been freed from the tyranny of sin and death. Jesus took on the human condition, entering into the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. Through him we have been set free!
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

*Response - Glory to God

*Sharing the Peace of Christ

Leader: Because of Jesus Christ, we have peace with God! Let us now share that peace with one another, saying: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
God’s Word is Proclaimed
*Children’s Time with Nan

*Scripture & Sermon

Responding to God’s Word

*Offering - Hymn of Promise

If you are able, please continue to send in your offering and pledge. If you are enrolled in electronic funds transfer, there is no need to do anything different. If you would like to give online using Paypal, click this link: bit.ly/FPCsterling

*Prayer of Dedication, Pastoral Prayer, & The Lord's Prayer

Almighty God, you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. Teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, so that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. Amen.
God’s People are Sent
*Closing Song - A Sower Came from Ancient Hills

 *Benediction

Leader:….and let all God’s people say… People: Alleluia! Amen!

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