July 14th 2013-8th
Sunday after Pentecost
Usually,
our concept of compassion or love refers to the feeling of closeness
we have with our friends and loved ones. Sometimes compassion also
carries a sense of pity. This is wrong – any love or compassion
which entails looking down on the other is not genuine compassion. To
be genuine, compassion must be based on respect for the other, and on
the realization that others have the right to be happy and overcome
suffering just as much as you. On this basis, since you can see that
others are suffering, you develop a genuine sense of concern for
them.
The
Dalai Lama, The Four Noble Truths.
Announcements The Work of Church and Community
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your
spirit.
* Introit Come, Let Us Sing VU 222
Come, let us sing to the Lord our song,
we
have stood silently too long;
surely
the Lord deserves our praise,
so
joyfully thank God for our days.
*Call to Worship
One:
Justice has a song:
All:
prophets call us to caring and sharing.
One:
Love has a voice:
All:
Jesus teaches us to notice and transform.
One:
Compassion has a story:
All:
told in the person healed, the mistake forgiven,
the
relationship restored.
And I
can sing and speak and say to others:
Justice
is important; love is a gift;
compassion
is how we should act.
One:
Let’s say that. Let’s sing that. Let’s live that.
All:
Here we are, God.
Teach
us your songs of justice. Teach us your words of love. Teach us how
to live what we learn of you.
* Hymn This Day God Gives Me VU 410
Opening Prayer
One:
Loving, storytelling God, in each of our lives you weave with us many
stories. There are stories of happy homecomings and sad
leave-takings. There are stories of challenges endured and troubles
survived. There are stories of love and friendship, and stories of
loneliness.
All:
For all of our stories, we thank you; for our stories help make us
who we are. Now, in this time, open us to others’ stories: stories
from scripture, stories from others’ lives, stories of what is and
stories of what can be, as we seek to build your kingdom. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Amos
7:7–15 God holds a plumb line in the midst of God’s people.
This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 82 God judges in the midst of the divine council. VU 799
*Hymn Healer of Our Every Ill VU 619
Opening the Word
The Gospel Acclamation
Luke
10:25–37 The parable of the Good Samaritan
This
is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
