August 20, 2023: Wade-in Walk on the Water!
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Video:
Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133
Reverend Dr. Desi Larson
- Prelude: “O Word of God Incarnate,” music by William Howard Doane (1832-1915), arr. by Edward Broughton; Pauline Olsen, organ
© 2005 Lorenz Corporation
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Introit: Hymn 3185: Send Us your Spirit,” by Dan Schutte; Trinity Singers
© 1985 Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Hymn 71: “Glory Be to the Father (Gloria Patri),” music by Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
- Hymn 368: “My Hope is Built,” music by William B. Bradbury (1863), words by Edward Mote (1834)
- Hymn 121: “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” music by Lizzie S. Tourjee (1877), harm. by Charles H. Webb (1988), words by Frederick W. Faber (1854)
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Offertory: “Cantilena,” music by Robert Lau; Pauline Olsen, organ
© 2012 Lorenz Publishing Company
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Hymn 95: “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,” words by Thomas Ken, 1674, music attr. to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
- Special Music: “This is My Father’s World/He’s Got the Whole World in His
Hands,” arr. by Brant Adams; Carlos Xavier, flute; Donna Grubbs, piano
© 2018 The Lorenz Corporation
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Joan Bennett
- Sermon: “Wade In Walk on Water!” Pastor Desi Larson
- Hymn 2223: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love,” music and words by Peter Scholtes
© 1966 F.E.L. Publications, assigned 1991 to The Lorenz Corp.
ONE LICENSE #A-741127 - Benediction Hymn 2175: “Together We Serve,” by Daniel Charles Damon
© 1998, Hope Publishing Company - Postlude: “Recessional in C,” music by Douglas E. Wagner
© 2013 Lorenz Corporation
ONE LICENSE #A-741127
Benediction – A Non-Traditional Blessing
Back Rows: May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.
Front Rows: May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
Back: May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
Front: May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.
ALL: And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.
— Sister Ruth Marlene Fox
Sermon Outline: Wade in Walk on the Water!
But when [Peter] noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)
. . . because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
I. Storms
Don’t wait for the storms of your life to pass. Learn to dance in the rain. – Steve Rizzo
a. Danger and chaos
b. Political and spiritual
c. The perfect storm?
II. Jesus Responding to Storms
I know well that the greater and more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it. – St. Mary Faustina Kowalska
a. Urges disciples to “take heart.”
b. Reveals his presence with, among, and for them.
c. Encourages disciples to leave fear behind and live authentic, whole-hearted lives – A dove struggling in a storm grows stronger than an eagle soaring in the sunshine. Matshona Dhliwayo
III. Whole-hearted Lives
Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. – Rabindranath Tagore
a. Courage
b. Compassion
c. Connection
IV. Challenge
Storms make trees take deeper roots. – Dolly Parton
a. Dance in the rain
b. Dive deeper
c. Create waves!
