SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS AT HOME WORSHIP TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AUGUST 1, 2021 PRAYER OF THE DAY O God, eternal goodness, immeasurable love, you place your gifts before us; we eat and are satisfied. Fill us and this world in all its need with the life that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. GOSPEL READING: JOHN 6:24-35 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him
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SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS AT HOME WORSHIPTENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 1, 2021
PRAYER OF THE DAYO God, eternal goodness, immeasurable love, you place your gifts before us; we eat and are satisfied. Fill us and this world in all its need with the life that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 6:24-3524When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Gospel Reflection by Assisting Minister Dick Werpy
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and even though you thought you were talking about the same thing, there was actually two conversations going on.You were each talking about something different. That is exactly the feeling I get with this Gospel lesson. The people are talking about worldly matters and Jesus is talking about spiritual matters.
The people following Jesus across the sea just don’t seem to get it. They just saw Jesus feed the 5000 with two fishes and 5 loaves of bread with 12 baskets left over, and yet they ask, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?” Don’t you just want to say, “And what part of that miracle did you not get? How many miracles do you need to see to believe?”
Jesus hears their worldly conversation, even if they don’t hear his spiritual one. He responds, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” In other words, “Your stomachs are full and that is what you care about. But I tell you, there are more important things than full bellies. Work for the spiritual food that comes from heaven, from my Father. Food that is eternal. ”
And how do these people respond, 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” They again focus on worldly issues and full bellies. They just can’t seem to get beyond eating and understanding what Jesus is saying to them. He tries again, 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
I still don’t think they get it. They come back with, 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Our Lord tries again, 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”I leave you with a couple of questions to ponder.
1. How am I like these followers of Jesus, focused on my worldly needs and comforts and not my spiritual needs and comforts?
2. Am I having a different conversation with the Lord than he is having with me?3. Am I spiritually hungry and focused on worldly food?
Lord, give us Wisdom, Strength, and Courage to find your spiritual food in our lives. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSIONRooted in Christ and sustained by the Spirit, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.A brief silence.
You call your church to be the body of Christ. Awaken all to the gifts you provide for carrying out the work of ministry. Where the church is divided, knit us together and restore the unity of the faith. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You command the clouds above and cause the wind to blow in the heavens. Watch over deserts and wilderness places. Regenerate rainforests and defend species at risk of extinction. Awaken us to Creation’s need for restoration and empower us to participate in the repair of our planet, for the life of all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You summon leaders to respond to the needs of your people. Instill those who govern with patience when confronted with grievances and perseverance in seeking what promotes the well-being of the community. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You draw near to those who cry out for help. Feed those who are hungry, reassure those who are despairing, and accompany those who are imprisoned. Bring healing to those who seek relief, especially those we lift through our Prayer Chain. Rain down the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world. Comfort Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You receive all who come seeking a sign of grace. Make this congregation a place of hospitality for those accustomed to rejection. To those who have felt excluded here or elsewhere, prepare us to welcome them in the name of Christ. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
You provide food that endures for eternal life. Sustain us each day with the bread of life until we are gathered with all the saints and feast together at your heavenly banquet. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We lift these and all our prayers to you, O God, confident in the promise of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FURTHER READINGS:Here are the lessons for the Day so you can read further:
First Reading: Exodus 16:2-4,9-15Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16Psalm: Psalm 78:23-29
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP: Click on the items below for children’s activities:
BENEDICTION & SENDINGGo out from here as workers in God’s upside-down kingdom.Where the last are first and the first are last.Where needs are met in miraculous ways.Where there is grace enough for all.May the blessing of God, the love of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit surround us and sustain us in the coming days. Amen.
SHEPHERD CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEEK OF AUGUST 1– AUGUST 8, 2021
Sunday, August 1 st —Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 a.m.— Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship w/Holy Communion
Wednesday, August 4 th 11:00 a.m.—Amazing Grace Bible Study by Zoom
Friday, August 6 th 7:00 a.m. — Men’s Zoom Breakfast Bible Study5:00 p.m.—Friday Night Perspectives Zoom Gathering
Sunday, August 8 th 9:30 a.m.—Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship—Service of the Word (No Communion)
DAILY LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1, 2021, YEAR B:Monday, August 2, 2021
