From Rev Ben:
This week I have been on a “mission un-trip” with the youth of the church. With grief over the fact that we were not able to travel to Mexico, and with lots of appropriate covid restrictions, we still managed to put some programming together and have a good time.
Please join us for a service of worship that brings forward the main themes of the mission un-trip: how do we “go out into the world” when it is not a good idea to go out? We will leave you with some challenges you can do as well, if you would like to play along at home. You will see some of the youth who contributed videos (though there were more who were involved), as well as the all-star team of adult advisors: Kel Bowen, Debbie Fallehy, and Sloan White. Big thanks to them!
Note: our online Celebration is available around 7pm each Saturday. Before that time, the Celebration link works, but the videos won’t be viewable yet.
You can submit comments and prayer requests via our Comments Form at mpcfamily.org/comments . We’d love to hear from you!
If you are visiting today, we hope you’ll fill out our online Visitor Card at mpcfamily.org/hello .
View August 9th Celebration online
- The prelude is by Will Keys and Kim Rankin
- Ben welcomes us and invites us to pour a cup of… something
- Sloan White will call us to celebration
- The opening hymn is “Today We All Are Called To Be Disciples” and lyrics will be provided on the video as well as below
- The Prayer for Peace is a Mary Oliver poem, read by Melvie Koshgarian-Cash and accompanied by photos taken by mission un-trip participants on nature walks in several locations
- Bonnie Hamlin reads this week’s Scripture, which is Colossians 3:9-17
- Rather than a formal sermon this week we have a more visual meditation, including photos and videos by some of the youth
- As a song of response, enjoy Kel Bowen’s interpretation of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Miserables, which certainly evokes the sadness of our pandemic
- Ben will lead us in prayer stitching together prayers and images from several sources south of the US-Mexico border
- The closing hymn is “Song of Hope / Canto de Esperanza” which we will sing both in English and Spanish. Lyrics are included below.
- We close with invitations and the charge, done by many members working together!
TODAY WE ALL ARE CALLED TO BE DISCIPLES
- Today we all are called to be disciples of the Lord,
to help to set the captive free, make plowshare out of sword,
to feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast,
to serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last. - God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race
to live as stewards of the earth, responding to God’s grace.
But we are vain and sadly proud; we sow not peace but strife.
Our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life - Pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream,
With righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.
For God is longing to restore and earth where conflicts cease,
A world that was created for a harmony of peace. - May we in service to our God act out the living word,
And walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.
As stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord
To God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord.
SONG OF HOPE/CANTO DE ESPERANZA
May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace;
Singing, share our joy with all;
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
Dios de la esperanza, danos gozo y paz!
Al mundo en crisis, habla tu verdad.
Dios de la justicia, mándanos tu luz,
Luz y esperanza en la oscuridad.
Oremos por la paz,
Cantemos de tu amor,
Luchemos por la paz,
Fieles a ti, mi Dios.
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.