Union Congregational Church United Church of Christ

An Open and Affirming Congregation

August 16, 2020

Photo credit to Martha Dahl

The Reverend Dr. Robert Marrone, Pastor 33 Concord Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire 03458

603-924-3272 (church office) 603-425-4578 (pastor) officeucc@comcast.net www.uccpeterborough.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterboroughucc

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We are glad that you are with us today as we worship! All hymns are reprinted with permission under One License #A700240. All rights reserved.

All Bible verses are reprinted with permission from www.biblegateway.com. All rights reserved.

Boldface indicates passages to be read by all.

Greetings & Announcements Rev. Dr. Bob Marrone Prelude: Open My Eyes That I May See Mary Ann Fleming Clara Scott/Albin Whitworth, Shawnee Press, 1987 Call to Worship

Come, all who are confused,

And God will give understanding.

Come, all who are worn out,

And God will provide a place to rest.

Come, all who are anxious,

And God will give you peace.

*Hymn The Church of Christ in Every Age The New Century Hymnal #306

Page #8 in your Bulletin Reprinted with permission under One License #A700240. All rights reserved.

Morning prayer Psalm 133

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

Message for All Ages

Special Music: Blessed Assurance Soloist: Mark Crosby, F. (Lyrics), & Knapp. P. (Composer). (1873). The New Century Hymnal. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.

Prayers of the People & Pastoral Prayer

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*Hymn God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak The New Century Hymnal #531 Page #9 in your Bulletin Reprinted with permission under One License #A700240. All rights reserved.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:10-28: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Things That Defile 10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth

enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil

intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith 21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not

answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’

table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Sermon: Schooled Rev. Dr. Bob Marrone

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We come to you, God, and we may feel unworthy, yet you see us with love. We feel tired, and you support us. We have needs, and you provide. For your

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May our gratitude inspire us to reach out in love, in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

*Hymn Be Not Dismayed The New Century Hymnal #460 Page #10 in your Bulletin Reprinted with permission under One License #A700240. All rights reserved.

*Benediction

*Choral Benediction Peace I Leave With You The New Century Hymnal #249

Refrain only Page #5 in your Bulletin Reprinted with permission under One License #A700240. All rights reserved.

Postlude Mary Ann Fleming The postlude ends our gathered worship and sends us into the world, where our service begins.

SERVING TODAY

Music: Mark

Deacon: Sarah

Mary Ann Fleming, Organist and Choir Director

The flowers on the altar this week are given by Carele Mayer

in celebration of her daughter, Breanna’s birthday.

Cover photo recognition goes to Martha Dahl

OFFERING: Please remember that the church still has bills to pay and payroll to fund. Please send in or drop off your pledges with—Attn: assistant treasurer—in the lower left corner of the envelope.

ATTENDANCE: As a church, we keep a weekly count of how many people attend worship

services. We are asking you to help us out by signing in every week on the following form. You only need to answer the top two questions: if you worshiped during our Sunday worship time or later, and how many people were attending worship in your house.

https://forms.gle/mMUxNP8yQk7V8TD19

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Church Information

Pastor’s office hours: Pastor Bob will be on vacation this week, 8/17-8/23

The Deacons will be able to help with any pastoral emergencies.

The office is currently closed physically, please call or email with any questions or concerns.

August office hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 8:30 a.m.—1 p.m.

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m.

This Week’s Calendar: August 16-22

Sunday 9:30 am Worship from home

10:15 am Coffee Hour via Zoom

Thursday 7:30 pm Choir Zoom

NOTES

ATTENDANCE: As a church, we keep a weekly count of how many people attend worship

services. We know that this looks different now, and are trying to get as accurate a number as possible for our records. We are asking you to help us out by signing in anonymously every week on the following form, which is also posted on our website, our Google Calendar, and our Facebook page. You only need to answer the top two questions: if you worshiped during our Sunday worship time or later, and how many people were attending worship in your house. There are further optional questions to answer if you would like to be contacted. We thank you in advance for your participation.

https://forms.gle/mMUxNP8yQk7V8TD19

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Open and Affirming Covenant of Welcome Jesus accepts all people.

We aspire to follow his example.

We gladly invite and welcome all persons into the life and ministry of this faith community and to full participation in all the sacraments and rites of this church.

Since we believe that all people are created in the image of God and are loved by God, we

welcome those of every age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, faith background, national or ethnic origin, physical and mental ability,

kind of family, socioeconomic status, and physical appearance.

Seeking justice for everyone, we promise to offer

intentional and extravagant welcome to all God’s children.

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