July 26, 2020 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

9:30 a.m.

Gathering those who fear they are not enough, so we may experience grace, wholeness, and renewal as God’s beloved.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed, painted YMCA window in Kassel, Germany

Preparing Our Hearts for Worship Paul laid on religion the indispensableness of love. The Christian Church must lay the same law on modern business. Thus… Though I have the foresight to locate the fountains of riches, and power to preempt them, and skill to tap them, and have no loving vision for humanity, I am blind. Though I give of my profits to the poor and make princely endowments for those who toil for me, if I have no human fellowship of love with them my life is barren and doomed. Love is just and kind. Love is not greedy and covetous. Love exploits no one; it takes no unearned gain; it gives more than it gets. Love does not break down the lives of others to make wealth for itself; it makes wealth to build the life of all. Love seeks solidarity; it tolerates no divisions; it prefers equal workmates; it shares its efficiency. Love enriches all (people), educates all (people), gladdens all (people).

– Walter Rauschenbusch

Prelude Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus arr. Marilynn Ham (contemporary)

Welcome

* Song for All #22 (vv. 1, 3, 5) God of the Sparrow

* Please stand in body or spirit

Opening Prayer

Scripture Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it 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.” 33He 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.” 44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

ONE: The Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God.

Reflection James Sledge

The Hidden Treasure, Mafa, 1973

Receiving of Gifts and Song for All #747 The Lord Now Sends Us Forth

Prayers of the People Will Packard

The Prayers of the People are offered on behalf of and with the congregation, usually by an elder currently serving on Session (governing council). We will sing the following petition prior to the prayer and at its conclusion. During the prayer itself, each petition will be followed by “Lord, in your mercy,” and the response “Hear our prayer.”

Please keep in your prayers… Laura Rainey, undergoing surgery on July 27 and follow-on treatment for lymphoma

recurrence Sam Beatty and family on the death of Sam’s father, Hayden Beatty, on July 9 Clint Peters, brother of Chuck Anderson, in hospice care at home in Texas Avery Burns, at home recovering from hip surgery after a fall Those who have lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic Staff and residents of elder care facilities everywhere First responders, health care providers, caregivers, essential employees, and all who

are putting their lives at risk during the coronavirus pandemic

Continued prayers for… Kris Barth, Brenda Buchly, Chuck and Marty Campbell, Judy Cornier, Soledad Cuzzi, Sgt. John R. Goldsmith, Steve Graff, Mike Hugo, Linda Issaacson, Doug Jonas, Becca Leland, Nora Long, Nancy Lundien, Ruth Mileham, Bob Moore, Cheryl Naderman, Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, Cort Peret, Stanley Rusher, James Steele, Cathy Stewart, Lawson Swift, Doris Webb, Doris Williams, Charles Wirth, Christa Young

Prayer requests can be sent to Pastors James and Diane at prayers@fallschurchpresby.org

Communion of the People

Invitation to the Table, Prayer of Thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Prayer

ALL: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Communion Song #515 (v. 1) I Come with Joy

Post-Communion Prayer

* Song for All #80 (sung twice) You Shall Go Out with Joy

The Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you. ALL: And also with you.

Go now in peace, go now in peace, may the love of God surround you, everywhere, everywhere, you may go.

All songs used by permission under OneLicense.net #A-721003

Supporting us in Worship

Audio/Video Diane Maloney

Music Lisa Bloy, piano; Vanessa Naghdi, soprano

Flowers The flowers today are given to the glory of God and in honor of all the educators who put others’ needs before themselves each and every day, by Mike, Allison, and Ella Hoak.

A Warm Welcome

Thank you for joining us in worship this morning. We welcome all to our live-stream community, and hope that you will join us in song and prayer from the safety of your own homes. If you would like to learn more about our family of faith, please visit our church website.

Falls Church Presbyterian belongs to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, “working for the unity of the church, furthering the inclusion of LGBTQ persons, seeking understanding and

reconciliation, and joining with others seeking a still more just and inclusive church.”

The Rev. James Sledge, Pastor The Rev. Dr. Diane Walton Hendricks, Pastor for Spiritual Growth Diane Maloney, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

The Rev. Megan Klose, Parish Associate The Rev. Rusty Lynn, Hon. Ret., Parish Associate

David Schoonover, Music Coordinator Dr. Lisa Bloy, Organist

225 East Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-532-6518 www.fallschurchpresby.org

This Week at FCPC July 26-August 2, 2020

Gathering Groups Round Two have begun. This round of Gathering Groups is discussing the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. If you were unable to join the groups but would like to reflect on the questions that will be guiding the discussions, you are invited to follow along with the group guides. Groups will run through the week of August 23.

Hymnals available for home use. Make a joyful noise in the comfort of your own home! Contact the church office and we will be happy to arrange a time for contactless pickup.

Love Your Neighbor Youth Week. Youth Week is here! Families throughout the congregation are participating in Youth Week July 27-31. Each day they will explore a different topic around loving their neighbors. We hope that you will hold these families in your prayers throughout the week!

Silent Witness Against Racial Injustice, July 31. At our next Silent Witness event, we will stand with neighbors and other local faith communities to honor of the lives and legacies of The Hon. John Lewis and The Rev. C.T. Vivian, who both died July 17. Join us from 5-6 p.m. along Broad Street (Route 7). For more information go to fallschurchpresby.org/silentwitness or contact Kevin Ayers.

Saturday Morning Bible Study & Fellowship Group. All are welcome to join this group which meets every Saturday from 8-9 a.m. After several months meeting via Zoom, the SMBS&FG is now meeting in the rear parking lot of the church under the shade of the old Holly tree. Bring your Bible, your mask, and a folding chair. Questions? Contact Tom Koger.

God sightings. You are invited to share a photo that captures a time or place where you have experienced God. Photos submitted by noon each Wednesday will be considered for use at the opening of our virtual worship service. Email images to Diane Walton Hendricks.

Crossing Paths is a daily email designed to be a way to stay connected to each other, our community, and God. Crossing Paths are simple reflections shared by the FCPC community, available by email and on our Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter. If you would like to share a prayer, poem, or scripture passage to be included in Crossing Paths, email Diane Walton Hendricks.

ONLINE WORSHIP, PRAYER MEETING Worship Service – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Join us for online worship at

www.fallschurchpresby.org/livestream or on our FCPC Facebook page.

Tuesday Morning Prayer – Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m. Led by Diane Walton Hendricks. Zoom Meeting ID: 104 294 101

Family Table at Home is a weekly resource offering a scripture passage, discussion questions, suggestions on ways to get creative, and a prayer. If you would like to receive the Family Table at Home email, contact Diane Maloney.

Pastoral care during social distancing. If you or your loved one is in need of pastoral care, James Sledge and Diane Walton Hendricks are both available. And if you are at-risk from COVID-19, please let the pastors or deacons know if we can offer you support with specific tasks such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, or other things that might put you at risk.