Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
(7th Sunday after Pentecost)
July 16, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Sermon: “Good Soil” by Rev Ed Sunday-Winters
*Hymn: #318 (New Century Hymnal) Almighty God, Your Word is Cast
*Hymn: #290 (New Century Hymnal) Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
*Hymn: #76 (New Century Hymnal) Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Prelude: solo piano, Hal
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: O Spirit of the First Song, the Origins of a Lullaby, we come here today with our
burdens in tow.
Many: Would you grant us a comfort, O Gentle Jesus? Our pain has no place to land,
no cradle for our sorrows to rock in.
One: And say to us: Yes, let it out. I’ve got you now. There, there, dear child, there, there.
Many: There, there, to the rhythm of a heartbeat, like a grandmother consoling her kin.
There, there.
All: There, there, like the psalmist singing in satisfaction. It’s alright now. We made it home.
There, there.
Many: There, there, shouts the activist out in the streets. That’s enough now, never
again. There, there.
One: For you are here, right here, ever with us—burden-sharer, light-maker, right here.
Many: And it is from this ancient hum that we worship you.
One: It is from this rest that we know you.
Many: It is from such a place that we praise you, right here, again. Amen.
Opening Prayer
*Gloria Patri #36
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Hymn: #302 (Songs of Spirit) Come to Me, O Weary Traveler
Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Rosann Hickey
Anthem: “Be Thou My Vision” Ancient Irish Folk Song, Arr. Carlton Young
Sermon: “Weariness” Rev Ed Sunday-Winters
A Time of Silence
Offertory
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
What weights us down doesn’t just disappear in the wind, but rather lightens because
the load is shared. So, God of Our Yoke, may we prosper in solidarity. May what feels
hard, be the “right” kind of hard—one that strengthens us in growth and connection.
Let the cycle of suffering finally have its last day, and the Year of Jubilee begin with us.
Amen.
*Hymn: #303 (Songs of Spirit) Softly and Tenderly
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
*Hymn: #19 (Songs of Spirit) Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
*Benediction Rev Ed Sunday Winters
*Musical Benediction
“Sevenfold Amen” #814 New Century Hymnal
Postlude: solo organ, Hal