DUC

We gather here today to hear God's Holy Word for us, to sing and pray God's praises, to be comforted by God's promise that we will never be truly alone. We hunger and thirst for God's promise that our thirsts and our hunger will always be quenched, if we but ask for God's help, and seek the solace which only Jesus can bring.

All: Let us join together now, in Christian fellowship and community, to be fed, to worship God, and to learn how to truly live out lives that will fulfill our every need, if we but put our trust in God. Let us worship God!

OPENING PRAYER

Loving Creator God, we wrestle with so many things in our lives. We face challenges and disappointments in our workplaces, our homes, our families and in our local community. We also wrestle with how to react to and cope with issues that affect huge sectors of humanity: hunger, thirst, violence, fear and prejudice. Today, O Lord, open our hearts and minds, so that we might be fed by your words for us, as Jesus fed the more than five thousand, and give us the peace of spirit in this time together so that we can face and manage, overcome and survive, those things which trouble us so. In Jesus' name we ask it, Amen.

We continue to pray with the words that Jesus taught us to pray, singing together The Lord's Prayer

HYMN : "God of the Sparrow" V.U. 229

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN:

SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CANDLE :

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Jesus is our friend who loves us always.

SOLO: "Morning Has Broken", "In His Time"

sung by Rev. Larry

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION : O God, open our hearts and minds, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear what you are saying to us today. Amen

RESPONSIVE PSALM : Psalm 17 (V.U. 739)

OLD TESTAMENT READING : Genesis 32: 22-31

This is the witness of the People of Israel.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING : Matthew 14: 13-21

This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE : "The universe is stranger than we can imagine!"

RESPONSE: RESPONSE: V.U. 400 Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, send your Spirit in this place,

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Send us love, send us power, send us grace

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION

HYMN : "How Firm a Foundation" V.U. 660

PASTORAL PRAYER :

OFFERING INVITATION :

OFFERTORY RESPONSE :

For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you thanks, O God. V.U.552

OFFERTORY PRAYER : O Holy One, receive these offerings for the use of your mission, that all might be fed physically and spiritually. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

HYMN : "We Are One" V.U. 402

COMMISSIONING: The Grace of Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirt be with you all. Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid: for God abides with us ready to assist us in filling every need, and in helping to fill the needs of others. Go in peace, together. Amen.

POSTLUDE LicenSing # 620168