ORDER of WORSHIP
July 25, 2020
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.”
Psalm 29:2
Prelude Music
Greeting and Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: Come, all who are weary.
ALL: Christ strengthens us with love and grace.
Leader: In this strength, we can do all things.
ALL: We are here, ready to receive God’s blessings.
ALL: Christ strengthens us with love and grace.
Leader: In this strength, we can do all things.
ALL: We are here, ready to receive God’s blessings.
Opening Prayer
ALL: Mighty God, pour out your power and strength on us. Grant us the nourishment we need to receive your word. May your presence fill our lives and carry us forth, preparing us to be your people and equipping us to do your work in the world. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Hymn of Praise
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown” UMH #386
Words: Charles Wesley, 1742.
Music: Trad. Scottish melody; harm. by Carton R, Young, 1963.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.
1. Come, O thou Traveler unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.
whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.
2. I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery or sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name;
look on thy hands, and read it there!
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who are thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
my misery or sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name;
look on thy hands, and read it there!
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who are thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
3. Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair;
speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!
but confident in self-despair;
speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!
4. ‘Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me!
I hear thy whisper in my heart!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
pure universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move”
thy nature and thy name is Love.
I hear thy whisper in my heart!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
pure universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move”
thy nature and thy name is Love.
Prayer of Yearning
ALL: Come to us, Holy One, even in our times of resistance. Work within and through us, even when we wrestle with doubt and despair. Enlighten and guide us, even in our darkest hours. Bless us and call us by name, even when we reject your presence. Hold us and love us, even when we try to run away.
When we feel beat down by the world, and are weary with fatigue and sorrow, nourish us with your mercy and your grace. Fill us with your love, that we may go forth with confidence and faith. In your mighty name, we pray. Amen.
When we feel beat down by the world, and are weary with fatigue and sorrow, nourish us with your mercy and your grace. Fill us with your love, that we may go forth with confidence and faith. In your mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Pastor: God’s strength is enough.Christ’s forgiveness is sure.Through God’s strength and Christ’s grace, we are blessed, loved, and made whole.
Scripture Reading Genesis 32:22-31 (NIV)
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.
Sermon “At the Wrestling River” Rev. Dr. Joe D. Sergent
Prayers of the People
Hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” UMH #382
Words: Adalaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934
Music: George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Benediction
Leader: As we have received light,
ALL: we go now to bring light to the world.
Leader: As we have received God’s blessings,
ALL: we go now to be blessings to others.
Postlude
The Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, Prayer of Yearning, Words of Assurance, and Benediction are taken from the Abingdon Worship Annual, Mary J. Scifres, 2019, adapted.
