6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
July 12, 2020 | 10:00 AM
WELCOME TO ONLINE WORSHIP AT FIRST CHURCH!
Welcome to all who gather to worship online today! We hope you feel the warmth of God’s presence and welcome right where you’re at. If this if your first time joining us online, we are honored by your presence and hope to see you again soon! To stay informed, please subscribe to our weekly email.
ABOUT US
First, we’re not just friendly, we’re friends! Our primary belief is that everyone (no exceptions!) is created in the loving image of God, who is love itself.
Second, in everything we do, we strive to live our mission: By the power of Christ, we are blessed to be a blessing!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP
(the people’s words in bold print)
PRELUDE
“Be Thou My Vision”
(MUSIC: Lloyd Larson)
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 119
God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
We are severely afflicted, but God ’s word gives us life!
God’s decrees are our heritage forever; they are the joys of our hearts.
We incline our hearts to follow God’s ways forever!
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet”
(THY WORD)
OPENING PRAYER
(pray together)
Loving God, we come to worship this day with an awareness of our need to sense your Spirit ’s presence among us, flowing through us, encouraging us, enlivening us, challenging us, and holding us close. We praise you for your compassion and clarion call to service. Increase our faith, we pray, so that we will be faithful disciples, sowing where you would have us sow. In Christ ’s name, Amen.
WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING - THE GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!”
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
PIANO PRAYER
“Spirit of the Living God”
(MUSIC: D. Iverson; arr. by Regi Stone)
MESSAGE
“Sowing Abundance”
Rev. Lisa Martin, Pastor, FPC
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
WE DEPART TO SERVE
CLOSING HYMN
“Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
(SICILIAN MARINERS)
BLESSING + BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Wonderful Words of Life”
(MUSIC: Phillip Bliss; arr. by Lura Foster)
GOD’S TITHES + OUR OFFERINGS
If you wish to contribute to the work of First Church, you may give online using the button below, or mail your gift to
First Presbyterian Church
810 Georgia Avenue
Lynn Haven, FL 32444.