july 27, 2025

asbcsite
Jul 23
5 min read

Guest Preacher: Rev. John Magisano

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

CLICK HERE FOR HYMNS (or scroll to the bottom)

Prelude: Debbie Deane

Chalice Lighting: I Breathe – By Craig Rowland

I breathe in the warmth of this light, its glow filling the spaces where fear and doubt reside.I breathe out the tension I carry. I release what no longer serves me.

I breathe in the strength of our community, a sanctuary of diverse voices and shared purpose. I breathe out the urge to go it alone. I embrace the power of togetherness.

I breathe in the courage to speak truth, even when it trembles on my lips. I breathe out the silence that holds me back. I make space for honesty and justice.

I breathe in the hope of transformation, knowing we are here to build and to heal. I breathe out despair, trusting that change is born in small acts of love.

As we light this chalice, may each breath remind us of the sacred rhythm of life, the pulse of creation, and the power we hold to shape the world around us.

Opening Hymn: FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH NCH# 23

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship: Justice Is Our Prayer – by Rebecca Savage

We gather together today with sacred intention to declare that Justice is our prayer.

We affirm in covenant with the Beloved Community that is possible.Not here, not quite yet.

The seeds have been planted time and again,and we remember all those who went before us who made Beloved Community a dream that could be realized.

Justice is our prayer.

May our time of worship/service together continue to water the budding trees of our diverse interdependence.

May our time of worship give air and nourishment to the parts of our collective spiritsthat need to grow and thrive;that embrace equity as a known way of being.

Justice is our prayer.

We affirm in covenant with the Beloved Community that is possible.

May it be so.

Let us worship together.

Prayer of Invocation

First Sacred Reading: Psalm 85

Psalm 85 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favor

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

¹Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.²

You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah³

You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.

⁴Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.⁵Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

⁶Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?

⁷Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

¹⁵ for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.^[^a^]⁹Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

¹⁰Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.¹¹Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.¹²The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.¹³Righteousness will go before him and will make a path for his steps.

Passing of the Peace

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology: We Give You But Your Own - NCH 785

We give you but your own

Whatever gift may be,

All that we have is yours alone

We give it gratefully

Second Sacred Reading: Luke 11:1-13

Luke 11:1-13

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Lord’s Prayer

11 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ²So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father,^[^a^] may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come.^[^b^]³ Give us each day our daily bread.^[^c^]⁴ And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”^[^d^]

Perseverance in Prayer

⁵And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ ⁷And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ ⁸I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

⁹“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for^[^e^] a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? ¹²Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? ¹³If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit^[^f^] to those who ask him!”