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6th Sunday After Pentecost
07/05/2026 - 10:30 am     

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION       “Finances”                             Susan Chapman

CENTERING MUSIC            “Fairest Lord Jesus”               arr. by Fred Bock

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP   For Such a Time as This (Esther 4:14)

Leader: When silence is comfortable but justice calls, we are called.
People: We are here for such a time as this.
Leader: When fear urges us to hide, but our neighbor needs a voice, we are called.
People: We are here for such a time as this.
All: God of Esther, make us bold, make us strong, make us loving. We come to worship you.

*HYMN    #803   My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

My shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is his name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake his ways,
And leads me, for his mercy’s sake, in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death your presence is my stay;
One word of your supporting breath drives all my fears away.
Your hand in sight of all my foes, does still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows; your oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days;
O may your house be my abode, and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come;
No more a stranger, or a guest, but like a child at home.

PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Gracious God of all creation, we come before you as humble people.  We stand in your presence and ask that you break us free from the cycle of competition.  Help us instead to live lives that support and celebrate one another, no matter how things play out.  Help us to see the value in working together rather than striving to always be ahead.  Help us to trust in your lead, in your guidance and in your movements through our lives regardless of outcome.  Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL    #469   Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying

Lord, listen to your children praying.
Lord, send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying.
Send us love, send us power, send us grace.      

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

Our God is Love.  As such, God wishes for us to not only love one another, but to support one another in our journeys.  Humility is a gift that is there for the asking.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.
People:     And with you also.
Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:     The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

SPECIAL MUSIC                                          “America the Beautiful”                                               by Samuel A. Ward
                                                               Men’s Quartet Arr. Paul John Rudoi
                                                  Tom Ellison, Tom Coward, Lyle Swallow, Peter Cloven

MOMENT FOR CHILDREN

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader:      God in your Grace,
People:      Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you.  Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS   Esther 7:1-10, 9:1-2, 20-22, 29-32
                                               Luke 1:68-72

RESPONSE

Reader:      The Word of the Lord
People:      Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION,  from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth
People:      And the meditations of our hearts
All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
                  Our rock and our redeemer.  Amen.

SERMON                                     Pastor Barbara Barkley
                                 What Does it Mean to Win?  Do There Have to be Losers?

MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY                           “Holy, Holy, Holy”                                                            arr. by Fred Bock

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

As in Esther’s day may we not forget to make days of feasting and thanksgiving and gladness and give you thanks for your goodness to us. Be with us, O God, who turns sorrow into gladness, weakness into strength, defeat into triumph. Thanks be to God! Amen

*HYMN OF REFLECTION     #318   In Christ There Is No East or West

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord close binding humankind.

Join hands, disciples of the faith, what e’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

One: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE: SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

Here at Clayton Valley we practice open communion, and all believers are welcome.  We do not use alcohol so that all may come to the table of our Lord.

Each row will be directed by an usher to come to the front of the sanctuary by way of the center aisle.  Please tear a piece of bread from the loaf.  When offered the cup, dip your bread into the cup.  After receiving the bread and the cup, you may respond, “Amen”. Return to your seat by way of the side aisle. 

COMMUNION MUSIC                     “Crystal Sky”                                            Ola Gjeilo

COMMUNION PRAYER

*CLOSING HYMN        #754   Help Us Accept Each Other

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe.
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
in living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness, and laughter’s healing art.

Lord for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for justice and for bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:
Renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us; make us one!

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*Congregational Response:  Go with God

Go with God, go with God.
As you leave this place, go with God.
God will direct your way, God will light every day.
As you leave this place, go with God.

*POSTLUDE                                    “Recessional”                                                 by James Hook