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July 4, 2021 10:30am

Liturgists

The People of Peace Church
Marge Anderson, Lay Leader
Rev. Charlotte Frantz, Liturgist
Sharon Dawson, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Special Music by Ron Deters, Susan Larson Kidd, Tyler Stark
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Gary Boelhower, Guest Preacher

Prelude 

Announcements

Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

Responsive Call to Worship 

O Holy God, you call us on this Independence Day to recommit ourselves to the ideals of our nation.
We dedicate ourselves anew to the fundamental principle that all people are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
O Holy God, you call us to continue to dream and envision the best for our nation and to take action to make that dream a reality.
We dedicate ourselves anew to the dream that this nation will live out the true meaning of its founding vision to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people—not just some of us but all of us whose stories and hopes make up this nation.
O Holy God, you call us on this Independence Day to be persistent in our hope that we can help to create a world where your love permeates all. 
We dedicate ourselves anew to hold fast to what is good and to love one another, sisters and brothers, friends and enemies, all persons equally part of our one human family.

Opening Hymn    “For the Beauty of the Earth”    (#28)

Unison Prayer of Confession

Loving God, we confess that sometimes we lose hope and focus on the divisions and polarization in our country,
rather than trying to create bridges and common cause to bring people together. Sometimes we stop trying to create new conversations, new policies, and new structures that might lead to greater justice and equity in our country and in our world. Breathe new life into us and into the soul of our nation that justice might flow like a rushing river and kindness like an unfailing stream. Give us persistence on the never-ending journey to make the ideals of our country come alive in the realities of our own time.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages by Sharon Dawson 

God is Revealed in the Word

Scriptures:
Micah 6:6-8 
Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12:9-18 
Mark’s Gospel 4:26-34

Special Music    “Windfall” by Son Volt

Sermon by Gary Boelhower   “With Liberty and Justice for All”

Hymn    “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”    (#4)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Non-Traditional Lord’s Prayer by Parker Palmer (prayer #8 in Praise & Worship Songbook), Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Offertory 

The Thanksgiving    “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.

Prayer of Dedication

Gracious God, you are the source of life and of every good thing. As we offer our gifts of money, time, talents and effort, we ask you to bless them and make them fruitful. Continue to inspire us to acts of kindness and justice so that all may know your unconditional and abounding love. We ask this in your Holy Name, Amen.

Sharing Communion (see insert)

Hymn of Preparation    “Be Known To Us…”    (#342)

Closing Hymn    “This Is My Song”    (#591)

Sung Benediction    “Long Time Sun”   

Postlude