Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself:
- Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths
- The conclusion of the Olympics reminds us of Hebrews 12:1-2, which reminds us to run well the race God has set before each of us
- As you prepare for the race ahead, embody a word or idea from this passage (community, witness, endurance, joy, Jesus) and hold it for about 10 seconds
Call to Worship
Jesus is the vine; we are the branches.
We root ourselves in the rich soil of God’s grace,
refreshed by the Living Waters.
May the Spirit of God nurture within us
a spirit of hopefulness, insight, and creativity
as we abide in the love of Jesus.
Amen.
Worship Songs
Sound of Adoration
When we were lost ones
You were the Shepherd that carried us home
When we were prodigals
You ran to meet us with open arms
And we can’t hold back our praise
When we were refugees
You were the One who took us in
When we were enemies
You paid the price for all our sin
And we can’t hold back our praise
This is the sound of adoration
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the joy of all creation
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the Risen One
You conquered death and made a way
You sang our freedom song
Now we are dancing on our chains
And we can’t hold back our praise
By the cross, I am free
Your grace changes everything
I was blind, now I see
Your grace changes everything
You Keep On Getting Better
I will sing of Your goodness
I will sing of Your love
Though the seasons come quickly
You have always been enough
Though the night may get darker
Though the waiting seems long
You have always been faithful
To remind me of Your love
You are good
In the morning I’ll sing
You are good
In the evening I’ll sing
You are good
You are good to me
You have always been patient
You have always been kind
You’re consistent through the ages
Oh, what a friend of mine
So I’ll remind my soul to bless You
Standing firm upon Your truth
Knowing You cannot be shaken
‘Cause I’ve seen what You can do, oh
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
Prayer of Confession
Creator God,
Your love reaches wider than the skies above,
and Your kindness embraces even the tiny sparrow.
We seek Jesus, the One who gives new life.
Heal our hearts, restore our vision,
and renew our God-given creativity.
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Loving God,
Open our eyes to see You all around us;
open our hearts to receive and extend mercy;
and open our hands to share Your abundance.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Blessing of the Backpacks
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Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Sandburg Beautification Day: Thank you to everyone who was able to volunteer here yesterday to help kick off a brand-new school year!
- Run Club Shirts: If you’d like to purchase an Anchor & Hope Run Club shirt, please let PD know what size you’d like to order. $25 will cover the cost of each shirt!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Shine (From the Inside Out)
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
The Kingdom is Yours
Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars
Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden
Open to the healing touch of God
The Kingdom is yours, the Kingdom is yours
Hold on a little more, this is not the end
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on Him
And blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed
Serving with unguarded gratitude
And blessed are the ones who fight for justice
Longing for the coming day of peace
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere
Though they fall, they’ll never know defeat
Scripture Reading
Psalm 90:1-2, 12-17
1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God…
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
13 O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay?
Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
16 Do wonderful things for us, your servants,
and show your mighty power to our children.
17 Our Lord and our God, treat us with kindness
and let all go well for us. Please let all go well!
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Nurturing Creativity
Pastor Dan
Reflection Questions
- Fill in the blank for home
- When I’m home, I can …
- I long for home to be …
- What are some ideas you have for intentionally nurturing new ways of seeing the world
Worship Song
Let Us Be Known
Let us be known by our love
In every word, in every deed
Honor the Son
Let our light shine in every eye
Let us be known by our love
For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our love
Let us be known by our joy
In every home, in every heart
Sing to the Lord
Let our lives show goodness and hope
Let us be known by our joy
For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our joy
Let us be known by our peace
In every town, in every tribe
Jesus is King
Let us go forth, heal and restore
Let us be known by our peace
For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our peace
For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our love
Anchor & Hope Church 