Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 07-26-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. July 26, 2026
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 07-26-26 — Summer Worship
Note: Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 with the Prelude to follow
Musician Amy Cann
Gathering Music/Prelude — “The Reign of God” Dolores Dufner
Lyric in Music Notes
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #668 “For the Healing of the Nations” ©
1 For the healing of the nations, Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords;
to a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word,
help us rise and pledge our word.
2 Lead us forward into freedom; from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase,
fear will die and hope increase.
3 All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race, or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice may we hallow life's brief span,
may we hallow life's brief span.
4 You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind,
that by our response and service earth its destiny may find,
earth its destiny may find.
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License
#21383697
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit; You care for us with compassion and firmness, urging us to grow in love for You and for all Your Creation. Through the teachings Christ Jesus, may we hear more deeply Your call to be rooted in Your way. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn #668, Verse 4)
You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind,
that by our response and service earth its destiny may find,
earth its destiny may find.
Scripture:
Matthew. 13: 31-43 & 44-52
[Jesus] put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;
it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls;
on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;
when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes."
And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
*Hymn: #265 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”
1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art, and make me love thee as I ought to love.
2 I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies; but take the dimness of my soul away.
3 Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh; teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
4 Teach me to love thee as thine angels love, one holy passion filling all my frame;
the baptism of the heaven-descended Dove, my heart an altar, and thy love the flame.
Reflection: “ Those Enigmatic Parables “ Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis: We read that “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Have you understood all [these parables? And] they answered, ’Yes.’” Parables are meant to keep us thinking, “What’s the real meaning?” In that respect, they’re like the Realm of Heaven.
*Hymn #322 “The Word of God Incarnate”
1 O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for the radiance that from the hallowed page,
a lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.
2 The church from you, dear Master, received this gift divine,
and still that light is lifted o'er all the earth to shine.
Your word is chart and compass that, all life's voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands, still guides, O Christ, to you.
3 O make your church, dear Savior, a lamp of burnished gold
to bear before the nations your true light, as of old.
O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace,
till, clouds and darkness ended, we see you face to face.
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.)
*Offertory —
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: — The Ash Grove – Traditional
As the postlude ends, feel free to move about the Sanctuary. Music may continue as you join others for coffee or greet your friends as you exit the Sanctuary. All should feel free to share the peace of this space in the Sanctuary or on Zoom. On Zoom you may unmute your mics and begin virtual coffee hour. (You will temporarily be muted in the Sanctuary.)
In the sanctuary, use appropriate precautions for those with health concerns.*
*Masks are available in the sanctuary for those wishing to use one.
MUSIC NOTES:
“The Reign of God”
The reign of God, like farmer’s field, bears weeds along with wheat;
the good and bad are intertwined till harvest is complete.
The reign of God cannot be found in far off foreign land.
Till in familiar face and place, we find it close at hand
The reign of God is like a pearl on barren land concealed.
If once you find that precious peal, go out and buy the field.
Though hidden now, the reign of God may, yet unnoticed grow
from deep within it rises up, like yeast in swelling dough
Like mustard tree, the reign of God from tiny seed will spread,
till birds of every feather come to nest, and there be fed.
The reign of God is come in Christ; the reign of God is near.
Ablaze among us, kindling hearts, the reign of God is here.
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Ed Gruelich *Flo & Tim Bosch *Ross Ludeman *The Olsson families. *Candace Damon & the Jacobson family *The Arbuckle family *Christian Rogerson & family *Krista Gay *Lima Leland *Darlene Babbitt (Katherine Gorey’s sister) *Joanne Giel *Frances Alford
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & friends of Ginger Ludeman *Family & Friends of Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Family & friends of Diana Toomey *Family & friends of Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Family & friends of Kenneth Dorko (Pastor Watson’s nephew) *Family & friends of Dennis Scharback *Family & friends of Arthur Park *Family & friends of Sophie Field *Family & friends of Susan Hadden
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickison, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
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