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
- Faith that is personal (hold hands/heart)
- Faith that is public (wide embrace)
Call to Worship
We gather today in faith, called as the people of God.
We trust in the Holy Spirit,
the One who enables us to take holy risks.
We believe a life of faith is open to God
and to our neighbors around us.
Our hearts are open this day.
Amen.
Worship Songs
My Hallelujah
Open up the doors again
Let the King of glory in
His Kingdom will never end
Oh, I know that You are good
Break the darkness with the light
All the earth let praise arise
Every dead place come alive
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You will have my hallelujah
You alone the highest name
All to You I surrender
Every breath I take
Make my life Your praise
Oh, Spirit of the Living God
Fire burning in my heart
I’m wide awake to who You are
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my sight when I can’t see
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Oh, when I was lost, You rescued me
When I was bound, You set me free
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Great Are You Lord
You give life
You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope
You restore
every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Prayer of Confession
God of all people,
You have always been with us,
guiding us through exodus and exile.
Spirit, You are the eternal Immigrant among us,
speaking all languages and living among all people.
Teach us to welcome and embrace our neighbors.
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Risen Christ,
help us to join You in building a world
where people of all backgrounds are cherished, loved,
and find their home in You.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. 40% of Californians and about 20% of all Americans are of Latino heritage (rule of thumb, “Latino” often refers to geographical background while “Hispanic” refers to language). We celebrate our diverse backgrounds as God-given gifts.
Hispanic Heritage month begins on the 15th because it is the independence date for several Latin American nations, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (and Mexican Independence Day is the 16th).
Today, we lift up and celebrate the many diverse Latine & Hispanic communities in San Diego and beyond. We see you, we love you, and we’re glad to be on this journey together!
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 the end of racism, hatred, violence,
and discrimination in our world…
For the Church to become a living sign
of the Beloved Community You desire…
For our mission partners & collaborators around the world…
For our Anchor & Hope community to grow in and share our faith…
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!)
- AMA Next Week: Please take a moment to use this link to submit questions for next Sunday’s “Ask Me Anything” with your pastors: https://forms.gle/ud6UEZX6k3uRj94cA
- Reset Sunday: In two Sundays (9/29), we will not gather at Sandburg for worship — instead, we encourage you to experience God in rest and worship out in the world!
- 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
I’ve Got Peace Like a River
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
Come Thou Fount
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of God’s unchanging love
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I’ve come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy grace now like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart O take it seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart O take it seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Scripture Reading
Mark 4:19-24
19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Right” Faith
Pastor Jeya
Reflection Questions:
- What’s a “holy risk” you hope you could take?
- What are practices that help you counteract false understandings of yourself or God?
- What’s a holy risk that you hope we can take as a church community?
Worship Song
Have My Heart / Here’s My Heart
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is true
You love with no reservations
You’re not looking for perfection
And there’s no need in me pretending
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
You deserve my full attention
Nothing less than my devotion
Oh, speak to me and I will listen
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You can have my heart
You can have my heart
Be the Lord of my emotions
Set me free from selfish motives
And search me ’til there’s nothing hidden
And I’ll give You everything
Yes, I’ll give You everything
My heart is Yours forever
My heart is Yours forever
Anchor & Hope Church 