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. Today’s practice is adapted from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley:
- “The world is full of painful stories. Sometimes it seems as though there aren’t any other kind. And yet I found myself thinking how beautiful that glint of water was through the trees.” — Octavia Butler
- Inhale: We hold onto wonder
- Exhale: We bear witness to goodness
Call to Worship
We gather together to seek Jesus,
the Light of the World
and the One who sets us free.
We open our hearts, minds, and lives
to hear the voice of Love.
May the word of Christ dwell in us richly.
Amen.
Worship Songs
Be Thou My Vision w/ Open The Eyes
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Be thou my Vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought
By day or by night
Waking or sleeping
Thy Presence, my Light
Riches I heed not
Nor vain empty praise
Thou mine inheritance
Now and always
Thou and Thou only
Be first in my heart
High King of Heaven
My treasure, Thou art
O God, be my everything
Be my delight
Be Jesus, my glory
My soul satisfied
High King of Heaven
When victory is won
May I reach Heaven’s joys
O bright Heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart
Whatever befall
Still be my vision
O Ruler of all
Called Me Higher
I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am
and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again
But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms
and never leave home
Never let these walls down
And I will be Yours
I will be Yours for all my life
Prayer of Confession
Good Shepherd,
We thank You for Your tender care
for each of us, and for the world.
Instead of anger, give us kindness;
in place of greed, make us generous;
rather than apathy, fill us with love;
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
God our true Gardener,
plant, grow, and tend within us
the seeds of the Spirit-filled life.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Commissioning Service
Today, we come together as a church to pray for and to commission Deleine to serve as a Young Adult Volunteer in New York City, working with Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations for the next year.
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Women’s Bible Study: Starts this Friday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm at Anne Kim’s place. Please talk to PJ if you have any questions!
- Youth Group: Next Sunday 8/24 during service, led by Uncle Will!
- Young Adult’s Bible Study: Please contact Pastor David if you’re interested — every other Thursday via Zoom at 5:30 pm.
- Reset Sunday: August is a month with 5 Sundays, which means we will not gather in community on Sunday 8/31.
- Church Retreat:
- Dates: September 20th and 21st (Saturday and Sunday)
- Times: Saturday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm-ish; Sunday at 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm-ish
- Registration Fees: $100/person for 6th grade & up; $50/person for 5th grade & below ($25 discount for each additional child)
- Office Space: Please join us in prayer as we look to establish an ongoing presence in the Mira Mesa area — and keep an eye out!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Blessing of the Children
Worship Song
Build My Life
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Scripture Reading
Psalm 119:89-93, 96-97, 103-105, 111-114, 127-130, 134-135
89 The Lord exists forever;
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
. . . . .
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
97 Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
. . . . .
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
. . . . .
111 Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
113 I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
. . . . .
127 Truly I love your commandments
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;
I hate every false way.
129 Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
. . . . .
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Delight, Discernment, Direction
Pastor Jeya
Conversation Questions
- How does what I’m reading make me feel more free to be fully alive? Fully free? Fully loving? Fully joyful?
- What is this reading requiring of me that I can become that way?
Worship Song
Open Space w/ Make Room
I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to
Pull me in closer
Close to your heart
May I be a pure reflection
of all You are
Love that is patient
Love that is kind
And love that keeps no offenses
or wrongs in mind
Make me like Jesus
Make me like Jesus
My heart is an open space
For You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
You’re faithful to find me
Right where I am
Though even in my wandering
You call me friend
And mercy receives me
and lifts me to my feet
And I’m caught up in
the wonder and the mystery
Of knowing Jesus
Of knowing Jesus
Anchor & Hope Church 