Sunday Afternoon - July 27, 2008

I have just returned from our Sunday Celebration rally with Joel, Jill & Adrian (3 mos old) Schreurs. Joel is the pastor at First CRC in Denver - the southern end. The morning service

took place at a local high school (Englewood) coordinated by several local congregations & groups. We sat in the bleachers in 90 degree heat but it was well worth it.

I come away from the service chastened and humbled as I recalled the words from my earlier blog - that "my motivation to get from point A to point B was Coke & ice." Truly, while I needed the coolness to soothe parched mouth and body - I got from point A to point B because of my call to serve God by serving others. I was reminded of this through the message - preached by Pastor Jerry Dykstra - Exec. Dir. , CRC of North America.

I'd like to share the worship service here so the following is this morning's order of worship - with random editorial thoughts.

WORSHIP CELEBRATION - July 27, 2008

The service was formed around the biblical theme Creation-Fall-Redemption-Renewal.

May the Spirit of God stir us all to renewed hope and action in the name of Jesus.

God's Goodness Fills the Earth

Gathering & Bike Parade - Do Something Beautiful

As the bikers arrive in the stands, please offer a seat near you to worship together.

Opening Hymn - Praise to the Lord the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; brothers and sisters draw near,

Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o'er things is wonderously reigning,
Sheltering you under his wings, o, so gently sustaining.
Have you not see all that is needful has been
Sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

As with his love he befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him! Joachim Neaner; tr Catherine Winkwork. Public Domain

Responsive Reading from Psalm 146

Praise the Lord!

he is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them.
He is the one who keeps every promise forever,
Who gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.
The Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord protects the foreigners among us.

He cares for the orphans and the widows,

But he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
The Lord will reign forever.
Your God is King in every generation!
Praise the Lord!

God's Call

In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst...

Come worship a God who feeds the hungry.

In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed...

Come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.

In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumors of war...
Come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.
In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness...
Come worship a God who gives life meaning.
Come worship a God whose grace and love know no end.

from Sacraments and Seasons: Peacemaking Through Worship

God's Greeting - Welcoming Sentences

Our Response of Adoration and Submission

We Sing the Mighty Power of God

We sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise.

That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command and all the stars obey.

We sing the goodness of the Lord that filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed where'er we turn our eyes,
If we survey the ground we tread or gaze upon the skies!

There's not a plant or flower below but makes yoru glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from your throne;
While all tha borrows life from you is ever in your care,
And everywhere that we may be, you, God are present there. Issac Watts, Public Domain

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful,
Where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name, when I'm found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.

REFRAIN: Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes is Lord still I will say,
"Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name."

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me,
When the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.

You give and take away, You give and take away,

My heart will choose to say, "Lord blessed be Your name."

You give and take away, You give and take away,

My heart will choose to say, "Lord blessed be Your name."

Matt & Beth Redman 2002, Thankyou Music. CCL#152531

Welcome - Doug Hansum - Director, Volunteers in Action

Jamie Van Leeuwen - Office of Denver Mayor, John Hickenlooper

WE LAMENT HUMAN POVERTY

Call To Confession - Ruth Padilla DeBorst, President, Latin American Theological Fellowship

Christian Reformed World Missions, El Salvador

Prayer of Confession - Each section will end with a time of silence, followed by:

Leader: In your mercy,

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer for Illumination - Open Our Eyes

Refrain: Come and bring light to a people in darkness.

Come set us free from the chains we have made.
We are your people, the flock that you tend.

Lord, open our eyes once again. Kevin Keil 1998, Lorenz Publ. Co., CCLI#152531

GOD SPEAKS HIS WORD OF REDEMPTION

Message Unwelcome Advice - Job 5:8-16

Rev. Jerry Dykstra, Exec. Dir., Christian Reformed Church of North America

GOD CALLS US TO JOIN HIM IN RENEWAL

Confession of Faith - Our World Belongs to God - article 6

(Unison) We rejoice in the goodness of God,

renounce the works of darkness,

and dedicate ourselves to holy living.

As covenant partners,

called to faithful obedience,

and set free for joyful praise,

we offer our hearts and lives to do God's work in his world.

With tempered impatience,

eager to see injustice ended,

we expect the Day of the Lord.

And we are confident that the light which shines in the present darkness

will fill the earth when Christ appears.

Come, Lord Jesus! Our world belongs to you.

SONG OF RESPONSE - Called as Partners in Christ's Service

Called a partners in Christ's service, called to ministries of grace,

We respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace.

May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,

Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God's chosen end.

Christ's example, Christ's inspiring, Christ's clear call to work and worth,

Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.

Men and women, richer, poorer, all God's people, young and old,

Blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ's mission, in a small or global sense,

Help us bear each other's burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.

Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care,

Bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues free and fair.

Words by Jane Huber 1981 Westminster John Knox Press CCLI#152531

WE GIVE OUR TIME, TALENT and TREASURES

Ministry Fair -

OFFERING

The offering will be divided in two; half will stay in Colorado to be used by Volunteers in Action to support their work among the local poor. The rest will be sent with the bikers to support the agencies of the CRC and RCA working against global poverty issues. Checks for Volunteers in Action can be sent to - VIA, 9185 E. Kenyon Ave, Ste 130, Denver CO 80237

For RCA missions - go to http://www.rca.org/ For CRC missions go to http://www.crcna.org/

In addition to our financial gifts, we also offer our time and talents to ministries of mercy. (Please visit the ministry fair to discover a place where you might serve.)

Theme Song of the Sea To Sea Tour - Do Something Beautiful

We are a shining light - city on a hill that can't be hidden - a shining light.

And this shining light is the life of Jesus in us - oh what a light!
The fire of His Spirit burns with justice, joy and peace

And works through our hands and feet.

Refrain: Go do something beautiful

In the name of Jesus, do something beautiful

Go do something Jesus would

Do something beautiful, do something beautiful.

We are the salt of the earth - here to purify and flavor - salt of the earth.

Sent through all the earth to love God and love our neighbor - salt of the earth.

As freely as we received so freely we must give,

And we are his hands and feet (Refrain)
Bridge - Let your light shine before the world.

That all may see the good you do.

And give their praise to God our Father - (Refrain)

Grahm Kendrick 2002 Make Way Music CCLI#152531

GOD CALLS US TO THE FEAST

We are given a communion wafer and juice (individual servings)

The following ministers representing the CRC, RCA and Sea To Sea Tour lead the communion celebration:

Pastor David Cheadle - Harvest RCA Rev. Karl Neerhof - Hillcrest CRC

Rev. Tom Draayer - Third CRC Rev. Sam Perry - Third CRC

Rev. Jerry Dykstra - CRCNA Rev. Len Riemersma - Sea To Sea Chaplain

Rev. Joy Engelsman - First CRC Rev. Joel Schruers - First CRC (My host family)

Rev. Kathy King - Harvest RCA Rev. Gerald Vander Hoek - Second CRC

God's Promises

Jesus' Life of Invitation
Rembering With Thanks

Let us proclaim together our hope and faith:

Your death, O Christ, we proclaim.

Your resurrection we affirm with joy.
Your coming we await with hope.
Glory be to you, Lord Jesus!

Prayer of Consecration

Invitation
Communion

Response of Praise - Agnus Dei

Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.
Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighy reigns.
Alleluia. Holy, holy are you, Lord God Almighty.
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb.
You are holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty.

Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb,

Amen. Amen. Amen!

Michael Smith 1990 Sony/ATV Milene Music. CCLI#152531

Call To Discipleship and Benediction

As you have been fed at this table, go to feed the hungry.

As you have been set free, go to set free the imprisoned.
As you have received, give. As you have heard, proclaim.
With God's help we will.

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Be upon you, and remain with you forever.
Amen.

Sending Song - Do Something Beautiful

Go do something beautiful
In the name of Jesus, do something beautiful
Go do something Jesus would

Do something beautiful, do something beautiful.

Heartfelt thanks to the Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches of Colorado for their participation in this event; to Denver Christian Schools, Volunteers in Action, and the Christian Living Communities for their support; to the local, national and international ministries who care for the poor in the name of Jesus; and the many volunteers who made this weekend possible.

Comments to come later - it's taken way too long to get this up. Bye for now.