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"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms. In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" which asks all of us to consider America's long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans. 


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The Majesty and Glory of Your Name

When I gaze into the night skies  And see the work of Your fingers

The moon and stars suspended in space . Oh what is man that You are mindful of him. 

You have given man a crown of glory and honor  And have made him a little lower than the angels. 

You have put him in charge of all creation.  The beasts of the field the birds of the air,

The fish of the sea but what is man,  Oh what is man that You are mindful of him?

Bridge

O Lord our God , The majesty and glory of Your name

Transcends the earth and fills the heavens

O Lord our God , Little children praise You perfectly

And so would we and so would we

Chorus

Alleluia alleluia : The majesty and glory of Your name

Alleluia alleluia : The majesty and glory of Your name

Alleluia alleluia ; Alleluia alleluia; Alleluia alleluia; Alleluia alleluia


CCLI Song # 18871 . Linda Lee Johnson | Tom Fettke © 1979 Curb Wordspring Music (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.), Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.), For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707.

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Call to Worship

Leader: To know the warmth of love,

People: To have the assurance that someone cares,


Leader: To be confident of our worth,

People: To be bold to love in return,


Leader: To be washed over with grace,

People: To be accepted as we are:


Leader: This is to know a bit of God.

People: Then let us worship our God.

Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me

Verse 1

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer, There is no more for heaven now to give

He is my joy my righteousness and freedom, My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace


To this I hold my hope is only Jesus. For my life is wholly bound to his

Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine, Yet not I but through Christ in me


Verse 2

The night is dark but I am not forsaken, For by my side the Savior he will stay

I labor on in weakness and rejoicing, For in my need his power is displayed


To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me, Through the deepest valley he will lead

Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome, Yet not I but through Christ in me


Verse 3

No fate I dread I know I am forgiven, The future sure the price it has been paid

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon, And he was raised to overthrow the grave


To this I hold my sin has been defeated, Jesus now and ever is my plea

Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free, Yet not I but through Christ in me


Verse 4

With every breath I long to follow Jesus, For he has said that he will bring me home

And day by day I know he will renew me, Until I stand with joy before the throne


To this I hold my hope is only Jesus, All the glory evermore to him

When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat, Yet not I but through Christ in me


Ending

When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat

Yet not I but through Christ in me...Yet not I but through Christ in me


CCLI Song # 7121852. Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich Thompson © 2018 CityAlight Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707

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A Prayer for Today by Jane Murphy

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.—Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.—1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)


We turn to God in times of fear and uncertainty, just as we do in times of joy and celebration.

Almighty God, take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

We know that everything is in Your control.

We ask that You guide the researchers working to develop treatments and preventive measures for the coronavirus.

Be with the people making decisions, give them the ability and wisdom to meet each new challenge that affects the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the center of those setting policies.


Holy Spirit, as we adjust to being home, we ask that You guide people in their daily lives. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt worn-out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Guide children to find creative ways to enjoy the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.


Help us all to to do our part in prevention, comforting others, supporting the lonely and in need.

Take comfort in knowing that God is always listening. He loves you and is eager to listen to whatever you need to say.

God is our healer, protector and provider!

Amen


Scripture: Matthew 26: 6-13 CEB

A woman pouring perfume on Jesus

6 When Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease, 7 a woman came to him with a vase made of alabaster containing very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head while he was sitting at dinner. 8 Now when the disciples saw it they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9 This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor.”


10 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She’s done a good thing for me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. 12 By pouring this perfume over my body she’s prepared me to be buried. 13 I tell you the truth that wherever in the whole world this good news is announced, what she’s done will also be told in memory of her.”

Message: All That Waste

Pastor Emily Denmark McGee

Part 10 of the Jesus H. Christ series


Be devoted and loving, compassionate.

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Your Love Is Extravagant

Your love is extravagant. Your friendship is intimate. I find I'm moving to the rhythms of Your grace.

Your fragrance is intoxicating, In our secret place, Your love is extravagant.


Chorus

Spread wide in the arms of Christ, Is the love that covers sin

No greater love have I ever known, You considered me a friend. Capture my heart again


CCLI Song # 2612711. Darrell Evans © 1998 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)). For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707.

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Blessing from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

May the Lord

make you increase and abound in love

for one another and for all,

as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts

blameless in holiness before our God and Father,

at the coming of our Lord Jesus

with all his saints.


Amen.

Revised Common Lectionary

Further Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Sunday, July 6th

from The Revised Common Lectionary, Year A


1st Reading: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Psalm: Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13

2nd Reading: Romans 7:15-25a

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30



https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

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