MORRIS-ROSENFELD ECUMENICAL SHARED MINISTRY

ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2024

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs.  However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures.  We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them.  If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words of one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have the internet may find the songs on YouTube.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.

~Mahatma Gandhi

Before we worship, we reflect…

In recent years many books have been printed that focus on baking vast assortments of breads—from rye to pumpernickel, French to Italian. Today, however, we encounter a bread that points to both a deeper longing, physically and spiritually, and an even more fulfilling outcome than the tastiest assortment of baked bread. This abundance of bread satisfies hunger, transforms lives, and ushers in a new vision of the holy in community. Recognizing the power of action, John calls to mind the ways prophets fed and nourished the people, and then he multiplies this in the person and action of Jesus. Jesus uses earthly gifts to provide for the gathered community—the gospel’s vision of Jesus’ life and God’s abundance in creation. Second Kings and John allow our congregations to wonder with the faithful servants and disciples how God will provide. We are invited into a conversation that might start by reflecting on a sentence written by the late United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold: “Each morning we must hold out the chalice of our being to receive, to carry, and give back.” The scriptures today open a door for us to think about how individuals and communities are nourished and sustained by God, and also imagine how we become vessels of the holy who are now opened to the call of service. How might ordinary gifts (and ordinary people) become the ways God’s love and mercy are multiplied in sustenance for neighbor, community, and world? Through our questions, our acts of giving, and our proclamation of the works of God in Christ Jesus, we are invited to experience what it means to be rooted in God’s sustaining love and to proclaim this God who invites us into the unimaginable vision of abundance.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Dear Loving Lord, Creator of all, you created us all in your own image, one image – many colours, one image – many cultures.  You made us come together like a rainbow, separate parts but coming together in one creation.  Help us to see the beauty you have created in each and every one of us.

Dear Loving Lord, we are your creation, hear the cries of your people.  You gave us ears to hear and eyes to see, open our eyes to what you want us to see, help us always to look to you to see the wisdom of your ways.  In the name of your dear son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.[1]

CALL TO WORSHIP

All your works shall give thanks to you, O God, and all your faithful shall bless you.
For you uphold all who are falling and raise up all who are bowed down.
All look to you; you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
We lift our hearts and hands in thanks to you.

GATHERING SONG:  Voices United #265         “Creating God, your fingers trace”

CENTERING PRAYER

God who provides, we proclaim that your power, at work within us, is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.  Where we see scraps, you envision a feast;
when we fret about scarcity, you set a table of abundance.  In a society based on consuming and owning, teach us the way of receiving instead of taking and the path of gratitude instead of grumbling.  Guide us in generosity towards those in our neighborhoods and around the globe who lack basic necessities or struggle in poverty and famine.  This we pray through Christ, who fills us with love that surpasses all knowledge.  Amen.

MISSON AND SERVICE – Facing an Uncertain Future in Lebanon

Hamdan wants to become a doctor someday. As the oldest son, this young teenager dreams big amidst the daily struggles that he and his family face.

Hamdan’s family came to Lebanon several years ago to escape the war in Syria. They can barely afford their monthly rent, food, household expenses, clothing, and medical needs. While his father works in a produce shop, his mother stays at home to care for the family’s four children and two other family members. This family of eight lives on the father’s pay and a small income supplement they receive from the UN.

Like Hamdan, many children in Lebanon are at risk of losing their education because an economic crisis—intensified by the COVID pandemic and the devastating 2020 explosion in Beirut—has plunged their families into poverty. When parents can’t pay school tuition, children face an unstable future. The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) assists Lebanese students and Syrian refugees ages 8‒13 with tuition and fees to secure their education and prevent them from becoming a lost generation.

One thing Hamdan’s parents don’t have to worry about anymore is his education. With tuition assistance provided by MECC to Hamdan and his siblings, they can continue to study until graduation and gain entrance into a university—giving Hamdan a chance to achieve his dream.

Your support through Mission and Service helps remove barriers for teenagers like Hamdan so they can work toward their dreams. Thank you.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that we may know your Son to be the true bread of heaven and share this bread with all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

READINGS AND PSALM

First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44

Today’s reading is part of a larger section of 2 Kings that describes the miracles of Elisha, the successor to Elijah. Here the prophet gives food to a hungry crowd. Though there is not enough food to go around, Elisha trusts God, who provides enough and even more to satisfy the need.

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to  the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” 43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’ ” 44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

Psalm 145:10-18

10 All your works shall praise you, O Lord, and your faithful ones shall bless you.

11They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your power,

12 that all people may know of your power and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages. You

   Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works. 

14 The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down.

15The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. 

16 You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17You are righteous in all your ways and loving in all your works. 

18 You are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you faithfully. 

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

We have been rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, which surpasses all human knowledge. Because Christ dwells in our hearts, our lives are continuously strengthened and empowered by the ongoing presence of the Spirit.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel: John 6:1-21

In John’s gospel, the miracles of Jesus are called “signs,” because they reveal the true character of God. As such, they remain within the mystery of God and cannot be brought under human control.

1 Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

HYMN:  Voices United #635          “All the way my Saviour leads me”

SERMON – Rev. Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the Bishop, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Good morning, friends in Christ. My name is Carmen Ramirez. I am the assistant to the Bishop in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Today, we gather to reflect on the very powerful story of Jesus feeding the five thousand as recorded in John 6:1-21. This passage not only demonstrates the miraculous power of Jesus but also invites us to consider how we can respond to God’s abundant grace in our own lives and how we can impact the lives of others.

The Miracle of Multiplication:

In John 6:1-21, we see a large crowd following Jesus because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick. As the crowd grew hungry, Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip’s response highlighted the enormity of the task, but Andrew brought a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus took these humble offerings, gave thanks, and distributed them to the crowd. Miraculously, everyone had enough to eat, and there were twelve baskets of leftovers.

Lessons in Faith and Generosity:

This miracle teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it shows us that Jesus cares about our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones. He is the provider who can turn our scarcity into abundance. Secondly, it teaches us the value of faith and generosity. The boy’s willingness to share his small lunch was used by Jesus to bless thousands. In our lives, no act of kindness or generosity is too small for God to use in miraculous ways.

Someone someplace is waiting for even a tiny gesture that will make their day and even change their lives. I remember many years ago when I was first attending a local church. I had had a very bad night and I almost did not go to church because my night had been terrible. I felt depressed, I felt ugly, just really down. As I walked into the church, I remember the assistant pastor was at the entrance. He said to me: “You look so nice today.” His words changed my state of being. I felt that God himself had said those kind words to me. It was as if God said do not worry you are going to be just fine.

Responding to God’s Grace:

As we continue to reflect on this story, we are reminded of our call to respond to God’s grace with faith and action. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, He can multiply our efforts to bring about His kingdom on earth. We are invited to trust in His provision and to share our blessings with others, knowing that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. A small gesture or a kind word goes a long way for those who need it at that precise moment. It can transform a person’s day and maybe even their life.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons:

     Today, we also acknowledge the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which is on July 30. As we reflect on Jesus’ compassion and provision, let us remember those who are suffering from exploitation and trafficking. We are called to be instruments of God’s justice and love, working to end human trafficking and to support the survivors in their journey towards healing and restoration.

In conclusion, let us be inspired by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand to live lives of faith, generosity, and action. Let us trust in God’s abundant provision and be willing to share what we have, knowing that He can use our gifts to bless others in ways we cannot even imagine. And let us commit to standing against injustice, remembering that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Amen.

HYMN:  Voices United #661          “Come to my heart”

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

One in the communion of saints and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we join our voices in prayer.

God of generations, you work in us far more than we can ask or imagine. Bless the church you have called into being across time and space, and fill it with the power of the Spirit for loving service. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of field and forest, streams and seas, you are the fullness of all things. As grains of wheat grow upon the earth and fish swim in the waters, sustain your creation. Protect harvests and give every person food in due season. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God beyond borders, you rule all in all. Bless the work of humanitarians and peacekeepers, shield those who live, work, or serve in harm’s way, and bring an end to war and conflict. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of healing, you open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. We remember any who are sick or suffering, families in our community who endure hunger, those who seek asylum or citizenship, and our beloved for whom death is near. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of grace, you root us and ground us in love. As you inspired our ancestors in this place in their ministry, sustain us also in new endeavors, that your glory may be made known, and your lovingkindness shared anew. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of all, your love in Christ surpasses all knowledge. We give thanks for the departed who have come to know the fullness of your grace. Join our voices with theirs and all the saints in singing your praises. In your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, holy and merciful: into your outstretched arms we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

SENDING SONG:  More Voices #182     “Grateful”

BENEDICTION

The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, be upon you now and forever.

Amen.

 

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© 2011 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/byncsa/2.5/ca.

[1] Rev’d Robyn Davis, NATSIAC Life Member, Diocese of Bendigo, https://www.abmission.org/resources/prayers-for-reconciliation/