Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by taking a couple of slow, deep breaths.
- Take a moment to wrap your two arms around yourself and say, “Thank You, God for holding me”
- Now take a moment to look at a neighbor and say, “I’m glad we’ve got each other!”
Call to Worship
Adapted from Cheryl Lawrie
We gather with faith in a Story
that stretches far before and beyond us,
that tells us what we know of life
is only a tiny part of the picture,
whose Author rewrites and edits our lives
with words of grace and forgiveness.
We gather with faith in God’s Story.
We gather to worship God.
Worship Songs
Oh Our Lord
We behold the breaking dawn
The light that shines over everyone
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
We behold the rising sun
The earth awaits, Your hope has come
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth
We behold the falling rain
Like waters rise, flood this place
We reach for You, we cling to You, oh Lord
Oh, Your name is a light in the darkness
Oh, Your name is the word of truth
Oh Your name, oh Your name
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
It all comes down to this
What You require of me
Love my neighbor as myself
And You above all things
Act justly, love mercy
Walk humbly, with You God
In all things, in all ways
Walk humbly, with You God
It all comes down to this
To be Your hands and feet
Good News to all the world
The truth will set us free
It’s beauty for ashes
It’s mourning to dancing
It’s closer and closer
The Kingdom of heaven
Years from now we’ll see
The fruit our hands have sown
Faith just like a seed
The only way it grows
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, source of all life,
Lord of mercy and grace,
Hear our prayer.
We come before You in need of healing:
The healing of our bodies and souls,
The healing of our relationships,
The healing of our pride and fear and apathy.
We come to you to confess our shortcomings,
Our weakness, our need for You,
Knowing that You love, heal, and forgive us
Hear us, O Lord, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
We know that with You, nothing is impossible,
Not even our healing,
Not even the restoration of the whole world.
We pray that You will heal us,
That You will heal our world,
So that we will be freed
To serve and love and dream and be,
As Christ calls us. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Blessing of the Backpacks
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!
- College Gathering: Today after church! Please talk to Kathy for details
- Women’s Craft Day: Saturday, August 29th at Ian’s place. Talk to PJ today for details!
- Reset Sunday: Our next Reset Sunday is coming up at the end of this month (August 30th) — please plan accordingly!
- Church Retreat: We need to get finalized registration information as soon as possible. Please let Howard know if you’ll be joining us this year (Sept 18-20 at Palomar Christian Conference Center).
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
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
I Speak Jesus / Hope’s Anthem
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
We just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every hurt and suffering
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
Our hope is in You God
We are steadfast
We will not be moved
We’re anchored
Never shaken
All our hope is in You
Scripture Reading
Matthew 9:27-34
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you have faith that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” 31 But they went away and spread the news about him through all of that district.
32 After they had gone away, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees were saying, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Healing: Restoration
Pastor Dan
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
Anchor & Hope Church 