19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
August 11, 2024 | 10:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Andante cantabile
Joseph Wackenthaler (1795-1869)
Welcome
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Co-Pastor
*Call to Worship
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into God’s presence with singing.
People: It is God, the Creator, who made us.
We are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture.
Leader: Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving,
and enter God’s courts with praise.
Give thanks to the Lord, and bless God’s holy name.
People: Let us lift our hearts in praise.
*Opening Hymn
395 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word (Liebster Jesu)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
And from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
That we may perfectly love you and
worthily magnify your holy name;
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response To Thee, Great One in Three (Italian Hymn)
*Passing of the Peace
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note this service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
*The Baptismal Creed (Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. We trust in the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Excerpted from A Brief Statement of Faith.)
The Presentation
Pastor: This candle represents the new life in Christ. It is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. May all who have received this sacrament walk as children of the light and may God keep the flame of faith alive in them forever.
People: With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into Christ’s church, to share with us this ministry, for we are all one in Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Lord, open our hearts and minds
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
That as the Scriptures are read
And your Word is proclaimed,
We may hear with joy
What you say to us today. Amen.
First Lesson
Isaiah 6:8-10 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 596)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Anthem
Phoenix
Aoife O’Donovan (b. 1982)
Gospel Lesson
Mark 4:1-12 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 32)
Sermon
Keep Listening
Sophie Beal, M.Div., Ordination Candidate
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Down in the Valley
Claire Lynch (b. 1954)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison) Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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.
*Closing Hymn
174 Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom (Madeliene)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Travelin’ Thru
Dolly Parton (b. 1946)
GUEST PREACHER: SOPHIE BEAL, M.DIV., S.T.M.
Sophie Beal, M.Div., S.T.M. has been under the care of Montview Church and the Denver Presbytery since 2018 and will be ordained to the office of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) today, August 11, at 2:00pm at Montview. Sophie grew up in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is now certified ready for ordination, having completed her Master of Divinity degree in 2022, and a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) at Yale Divinity School in 2024.
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: OPENING ACT
Opening Act uses theater arts to boost the confidence and self-esteem of Black girls aged 5-17. Their after-school program at Stedman Elementary encourages girls in grades 3-5 to discover and express themselves through creative writing, storytelling, and improvisation. The two-week summer camp allows uses theater arts to help young black girls to learn and thrive. Visit their table in the Commons today to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
What’s Happening at Montview?
Register for Sunday School; learn about the Guns to Gardens concept on August 18; get the latest Mission Impact Fund update and more in our This Week @ Montview email. Click here to access the latest edition.
The Dangers of White Christian Nationalism
Forum Series
August 23, September 17 & October 26-27
Screening of “God and Country” with Panel Discussion
Friday, August 23 | 7:00pm (Sanctuary)
The exceptional documentary, “God and Country,” looks hard at the implications of the ideology of White “Christian” Nationalism and how it distorts not only our onstitutional republic, but Christianity itself.
White Christian Nationalism: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
Friday, September 27 | 7:00pm (Sanctuary)
Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson
Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson is the Director of the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture at Iliff School of Theology.
Dr. Jemar Tisby
Saturday, October 26 | 9:00am-12:00pm (Sanctuary)
Sunday, October 27:
Preacher | 8:30 and 11:00am
Adult Faith Forum | 9:30am (Sanctuary)
Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism. He is also a Professor of History at Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Guest Preacher: Sophie Beal, M.Div., S.T.M.
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Guitar & Vocals: Shelley Goldberg
Vocals: Phoebe Bawmann
Violin & Vocals: Leena Waite
Bass: Julie Davidson
Reader: Ben Meyerhoff
Sound/Video: John Goerner
Livestream: Christine Hofstad
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
9:30am – 11:30am
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
10:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
11:00am
Fellowship Time
Location: South Plaza
2:00pm
Ordination Service of Sophie Beal
Location: Sanctuary
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Johanna Behrendt and family, mourning the death of her brother, Dean Van Neel; Mary Burns, mourning the death of her father, John Burns; Janelle Case; Everett Cordy, brother of Sylvia Cordy; Dana and Peter Franklin; Donna Fredrickson; Steve Hatlem, brother of Jenni Hatlem; Hellshire United Church of Portmore, Jamaica; Steve House; Soren Kirk, great-nephew of Janet Wolfer, and his parents; Nik Levinsky; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; The Samelson and Browning families, mourning the death of Les
Samelson (husband of Carolyn Samelson); Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; Julie Spear, sister-in-law of Linda Goerner; Jewel Wegs; Karen Louise White, daughter of Veda White; Janet Wolfer
Deaths
July 17 | Ann Walton Barkdoll
Flower Dedication
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by Tim and Clover Beal in celebration of the ordination of Sophie Beal to Minister of Word and Sacrament; and by Lisa Boyum in memory of John Kuzma.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The greeters can direct you!
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org