Weekly Scripture and Reflection Questions

• August 2: Matthew 14:13-21   Centering Word: Compassion | Sermon Title: We Live by Compassion
• Jesus responds to the crowd with compassion instead of sending them away. Where do you see hunger—physical, emotional, or spiritual—in your own community, and how might Christ be inviting you to notice it?
• The disciples believed they did not have enough, yet Jesus multiplied what they offered. What "five loaves and two fish" has God already placed in your hands that could become a blessing for others?
• Compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone; it moves us to act. What is one concrete act of compassion God may be calling you to practice this week?
• Jesus takes ordinary, poor-man's food (loaves and fish), blesses it, and transforms it into a means of deep communion. How does viewing your everyday resources—your time, your kitchen table, your home—as sacraments change how you offer them to God for the life of the world?

• August 9th: Matthew 14:22-33    Centering Word: Faith | Sermon Title: We Live By Faith
• Peter steps out of the boat because he trusts Jesus more than his circumstances. Where is Christ inviting you to take a faithful step beyond your comfort or certainty?
• When Peter begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out to save him. How have you experienced Christ's presence in moments of fear, doubt, or failure?
• What would it look like this week to keep your eyes on Jesus instead of being overwhelmed by the "wind and waves" around you?
• What specific "wind and waves" in our current culture or your personal life are pulling your gaze away from Jesus, and what daily practice can help you look back at Him?

• August 16: Matthew 15:10-28  | Centering Word: Mercy | Sermon Title: We Live By Mercy
• The Canaanite woman approaches Jesus with remarkable persistence and trust. What does her story teach you about bringing your deepest needs honestly before God?
• This passage challenges boundaries that people create between "insiders" and "outsiders." Who might God be inviting you to welcome, listen to, or embrace with greater mercy?
• God's mercy is always greater than our limitations and exclusions. How have you experienced Christ's mercy in your own life, and how can you extend that mercy to someone else this week?
• If prevenient grace means God is already active in the lives of those outside our circles, where have you witnessed surprising expressions of faith, humility, or mercy from people the culture deems "outsiders"? If you are not witnessing these expressions from the outside, reflect on why that may be true.

• August 23: Matthew 16:13-20   Centering Word: “Who do you say I am ?” | Sermon Title: Who We Live By
• Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" How would you answer that question today—not only with your words but with the way you live
• Throughout this series we have reflected on compassion, faith, and mercy. Which of these has God been growing most deeply in you, and why?
• Following Jesus means more than admiring Him—it means offering our lives in loving service. What is one next step of discipleship Christ is inviting you to take as you seek to live in union with Him?
• How does shifting your focus from "trying to be a better, more virtuous person" to "living in daily union with Jesus" change the way you view your spiritual journey?
  

August 2nd Prayers and Benediction

Call To Worship:

Beloved disciples, welcome. Some of us come weary and hungry, while others come rested and content. Still others come ready to wrestle with the questions that keep us up at night. No matter how you enter this space, we say,

Come, let us worship God together!

Together, we notice the fatigue we carry, the exhaustion that comes from our hunger for care and connection with one another and with God. Yet, when God says to feed one another, we answer,

We have nothing but…

Together, we feel the unrest and turmoil of grappling with the unknown, unsure whether we are fighting for everyone’s wellbeing or merely our own stability. Yet, when God tells us to start by loving God and our neighbors, we answer,

We have nothing but…

Together, then, let us wrestle with our hungers that we may be transformed into people who seek and find God all around us, so that when God calls us to feed the hungry and struggle for those in need of help, we answer,

In you, we have everything. Use us as you will. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination:

Gracious God, we come from our various places hungry for your word, for food, for life, for wholeness, for justice and peace, for community and healing. In your compassion speak to us as we gather in your Spirit. As we hear with Joy what you say to us today, may we become the abundance of your compassion addressing the hunger of the world. Amen.

Benediction:

What do we live by? We live by the compassion of God that calls us Christ’s beloved. 

What do we live by? We live by faith in the faithful One who lifts us up when we are sinking in fear. 

What do we live by? We live by mercy that sets us free from all that hinders our humanity. 

Who do we live by? We live by The Father, Son and Holy Spirit who empowers us to bless our neighbors with what we live by. Amen.

August 9th Prayers and Benediction

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we come to worship hearing your invitation to step out in faith. We confess that you, Jesus, are our Lord and your Spirit raised you from the dead that all may be saved. May the faith you stir in our hearts lead to righteousness that our lives become a beautiful announcement of good news. Amen. 

Prayer for Illumination:

Jesus, in the midst of the storm you tell us to take heart and do not be afraid. As your scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, awaken us to a faith that is willing to step out of our boat to live as your faithful disciples. Help us to keep our eyes on you that we may not sink in fear. Amen.

Benediction:

What do we live by? We live by the compassion of God that calls us Christ’s beloved. 

What do we live by? We live by faith in the faithful One who lifts us up when we are sinking in fear. 

What do we live by? We live by mercy that sets us free from all that hinders our humanity. 

Who do we live by? We live by The Father, Son and Holy Spirit who empowers us to bless our neighbors with what we live by. Amen.

August 16th Prayers and Benediction

Opening Prayer

God of Mercy, we come to worship you, trusting your arms reach out to embrace all who need you. As you lift us to heal us of our sickness and sin, may we become the mercy we have received from you that embraces the outsider and outcast. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination:

Jesus, speak to us your words of mercy. As you open our hearts and minds by the power of your Spirit, give us the steadfast faith of the Canaanite woman who insisted to be part of your story because she trusted your mercy is more than enough to heal our deepest brokenness. Remind us again that you will not be confined by our human exclusions. Amen.

Benediction:

What do we live by? We live by the compassion of God that calls us Christ’s beloved. 

What do we live by? We live by faith in the faithful One who lifts us up when we are sinking in fear. 

What do we live by? We live by mercy that sets us free from all that hinders our humanity. 

Who do we live by? We live by The Father, Son and Holy Spirit who empowers us to bless our neighbors with what we live by. Amen.

August 23rd Prayers and Benediction

Call To Worship

Family of God, as we gather today, Jesus asks us, “Who do you say that I am?”

You are our Messiah, the Son of the living God!

Family of God, as we gather today, the Holy Spirit asks us, “Who do you say that I am?”

You are our Comforter, Advocate, and Sustainer!

Family of God, as we gather today, God the Father asks us, “Who do you say that I am?”

You are our Creator, Provider, and Healer!

Family of God, as we gather today, the Triune God asks us, “Who do you say that I am?”

You are Love that creates, saves, and enfolds us into the family of God! May we be instruments of Compassion, Faith and Mercy in all that we are and all that we do. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination:

Compassionate, Faithful, Merciful God, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may hear clearly what you say to us today. May we become more than hearers of your good news, but transformed and healed disciples participating in love led by theTriune God blessing the world. Amen.

Benediction:

What do we live by? We live by the compassion of God that calls us Christ’s beloved. 

What do we live by? We live by faith in the faithful One who lifts us up when we are sinking in fear. 

What do we live by? We live by mercy that sets us free from all that hinders our humanity. 

Who do we live by? We live by The Father, Son and Holy Spirit who empowers us to bless our neighbors with what we live by. Amen.

Sharing and Praying

Spend time praying for others by giving thanks to God for things to celebrate and lifting up needs, worries, hurts, and concerns.