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
- Stand together: lean left (just a little!), lean right, find your center
- How can you be present with God right here and now, in this hour of worship?
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
The Joy of the Lord
Though tears may fall
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs
I will praise You, Lord
In the dead of night
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
When the waters rise
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in my heart
I will praise You, Lord
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength
When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You, Lord
Oh You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You, Lord
When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
Like courage in the fight
I hear You call my name
Jesus, I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light
Prayer of Confession
God of majesty and mystery,
we come before You in wonder and gratitude,
open to the prompting of Your Spirit.
Restore our love for You and others;
Rebuild our vision for a world of Shalom;
Revive us with Your strength and grace;
Renew 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
Prayers of the People
After each phrase, the congregation will reply with one voice:
Lord, have mercy.
For Mira Mesa, San Diego, and every community in which we live, work, study, and play…
For those who know there is a Story bigger than themselves…
For those suffering from violence, hatred, and war…
For Your creation, groaning under the weight of waste & sin…
For our mission partners & collaborators around the world…
For renewed creativity, joy & love in our Anchor & Hope community…
Amen.
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!
- Sunday School Volunteers: We’re looking for more volunteers to teach Sunday School! If you’re a parent of a Sunday School student and haven’t signed up for 2 slots, please talk to Tae today (before being volun-chosen!)
- Monthly Prayer Walk: We will gather on the first Saturday of month (Sept. 7th) at 9:00 am at the Sandburg parking lot for our prayer walk
- Reset Sunday: On months with five Sundays, we do not gather as a community on the 5th Sunday. Instead, we encourage you to experience rest, renewal, and reconnection with God and others out in God’s world. Our next Reset Sunday is coming up on Sept. 29th
- Mira Mesa Street Fair: On Saturday, October 5th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Anchor & Hope will host a table at the street fair! We’re hoping to have free crafts for kids — we want to build a deeper sense of connection with our neighbors here in Mira Mesa!
- Click here for a link to the Mira Mesa Street Fair website
- “Enjoy live music and other entertainment on two stages, a Fun Zone with pony rides for children as well as inflatables and other attractions for kids and teens, and a food court with an international flair on Camino Ruiz from Mira Mesa Blvd. to New Salem Street.”
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
Generous Giver / I Could Sing
You don’t withhold Your love from us
Arms open wide upon a cross
You give no matter what the cost
Jesus, we see You
All of these worlds Your hands have made
A billion stars stretched out in space
These are just echoes of Your grace
Jesus, we see You
You are the generous Giver
Your mercy overflows
Your blessing is a river — on and on and on, it goes
You are an endless fountain
You’re filling up my life
My heart must sing Your praises
Jesus, You be glorified
Jesus, You reach us in our pain
Your mercy meets us every day
Your love will never turn away
Jesus, we see You
On and on… on and on… on and on… Jesus, You be glorified
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
Scripture Reading
Psalm 84:1-12
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—
a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Being a Blessing Where We Are
Pastor Jeya
Creative Renewal Plan
- What are some ways that you feel connected to God?
- What are things that you love to do that you haven’t had a chance to do recently?
- What is something that brings your different five senses joy? (Is there something you love to see? hear? smell? feel? taste? touch?)
- Who are the people that you want to spend some time with that fill you with joy or make you feel loved?
Worship Song
Everything New / Here’s My Heart
I can feel Your power, Love…
Even in the hours of
The beckoning day or the darkening night
You are making all things new
You are making everything new
You are making all things new
You are making everything, everything
Like sounds of a baby crying
Light breaks over Your horizon
I’m caught in the fall and the rise of Your tide
Like mountains born in fire
Born again by Your desire
I’m caught in the heart of the world You conspire
My heart is Yours forever…
Here’s my heart Lord (3x)
Speak what is true
Anchor & Hope Church 