Today’s service has THREE choices.  You may view the Live Stream on Facebook at this link:   https://fb.me/e/5xgjeRNg9 , hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person inside (masking preferred). 

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Gathering Music                  Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements   Vicki Conrad-Wright

Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 23)       Dr. Elaine Nocks

One:  Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.

All:  The Lord sees all humankind.

One: Our soul waits for the Lord;

All:  The Lord is our help and shield.

One:  We trust in God’s holy name.

All:  Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Opening Hymn     “Be Still, My Soul” Hymnal #819

Words by Katharina von Schlegel;  Music by Jean Sibelius

1)  Be still, my soul:  the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide,

who through all changes faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul:  thy best, thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2)  Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

to guide the future surely as the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3)  Be still, my soul:  the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord;

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul:  when change and tears are past

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Scripture Readings Genesis 18:17-33

Matthew 13:33

Sermon   “Where is Hope Hiding?”                  Dr. Elaine Nocks

Prayers, Concerns, and Joys                    Vicki Conrad-Wright

Closing Hymn    “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky - Here I Am, Lord”      Hymnal #69

Words and Music by Daniel L. Schutte

1)  I, the Lord of sea and sky,  I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?  Whom shall I send?

Refrain — Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard you calling in the night.

    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.   

2) I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them.  They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them.  Whom shall I send? Refrain

3)  I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them.  My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.  Whom shall I send? Refrain

Benediction               Dr. Elaine Nocks

Discussion

Shalom (meaning - “May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)

        Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.

       Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.

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First Sunday Potluck  -  Please stay for our potluck lunch.   Afterwards, gather around for Critters and More talk, “While We Sleep, Critters Creep.” During Critter Talk, we will sing  “A Place in the Choir”.

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Calendar of Service

August 14 - Rev. Johnny McKinney

August  21 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

August 28 - Rev. Laura Collins

On Monday, September 12, at 6:00 PM, see “At The River”, a feature-length documentary about a certain time and place in the deep south, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 703 E. Washington Street, Greenville.  In the Civil Rights era of the 50s and 60s, most Presbyterian ministers stood on the banks of the cultural river of segregation and white supremacy. Some opted not to stir the waters in their congregations and communities by speaking out. However, a few young southern Presbyterian ministers braved those currents through their sermons, community organizing, and participating in marches and protests. They faced dangerous, hate-filled consequences for these actions. "At The River" chronicles their lives and their decisions, as well as director Carolyn Crowder’s firsthand experience as a young white southern girl from Montgomery, Alabama. During those mean and turbulent times these ministers, through their love and example, had a huge impact on her life in helping her overcome her southern racist brainwashing.   

Church clean-up for August is Saturday, August 13, at 9:30 AM.  Please join Bill and others to sweep, mop floors, clean the bathrooms, straighten up chairs, and such.  More hands make for light work.  Thanks.

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Remember in prayer: Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Shea Marsden; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Family and Friends of Terry Ann Hayes; Jason Harding; Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; Victims of COVID-19; People of Ukraine; Victims of mass shootings