Call to Celebration
God of flesh, we enter this sanctuary with open hearts and open minds.
Your Spirit enlivens flesh.
We celebrate knowing that you live within us.
We give thanks for the ways in which worship brings us together.
We are infused with Spirit.
We embrace the truth that our flesh is good.
Flesh is essential.
We are flesh loved by God.
Amen
Offertory
God, you fully embodied your humanity. You did not separate your spirit from your body. As we experience life as earthlings, remind us that eating is as holy as reading scripture. Amen
Full Service Service August 22
Scripture Lesson
John 6:56-69 NIV
56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them,“Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.