| Sunday Worship |
May 25, 2008 |
| Worship on the Lord’s Day |
| Preparation for Worship: |
| Gracious God, we come to this hour, away from life’s routine, with both lonely silences and with loud distractions. Let us hear your voice in the midst of all that crowds our spirits. Reach into the center of our souls with exactly what each of us needs, and then open us to the incredible blessing which is the presence of Christ in one another. Amen. |
| Prelude |
(Let us prepare for worship as we enter the Sanctuary) |
Welcome and Announcements
| Greetings: |
“May the Peace of Christ be with You!” |
| Call to Worship |
| One |
Let us worship God in this community of faith called the church |
| All |
We can worship God on the seashore, lakeside, or mountaintop, but it gives us deep joy to worship together. |
| One |
Let us offer prayers to God as the community of faith called the church. |
| All |
We can pray by dinner tables or hospital beds, while we are working or taking a walk, but we feel peace and power when we pray together. |
| One |
Let us serve God in the faith community called the church. |
| All |
We can serve God at the homeless shelter or the ballot box, or every time we help a neighbor, but we are stronger when we serve together. |
| One |
Come – let us blend our hearts, hands, and voices – in praise together. |
| Hymn of Praise: |
#483 |
“Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above” |
| Prayer of Confession: (unison) |
| Our patient God, hear our sins and have mercy on us. Forgive us the words we have said which have given pain, and the words we have left unsaid which might have given hope. Forgive us the actions we have taken which have harmed family, friend, or stranger, and the things undone which could have made a good and helpful difference. Forgive us the thoughts which pollute ourselves and deprecate others, and the thoughtlessness which ignores caring and worship. Patient God, have mercy on us and give us peace…(quiet prayer). Amen. |
| Declaration of Forgiveness: |
|
| One: |
When we cross over the bridge within ourselves which is confession, we discover that we are at home with God. To dwell there is to know forgiveness. |
| All |
We rejoice in the good news that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Let us also, always, forgive one another. Amen. |
| Congregational Response: |
#466 |
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” |
| O for a thousand tongues to sing My dear Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of God’s grace! |
| A Time with Young Disciples |
|
| Hymn of Faith: |
#339 |
“Be Thou My Vision” |
| One: |
The Word of the Lord. |
| All: |
Thanks be to God. |
| Sermon: |
“My Time!” |
David Reiter |
| Affirmation of Faith |
| We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. |
| In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. |
| But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and in ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. |
| God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation… |
| Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. Amen. |
(from “A Brief Statement of Faith” (10.3)
The Book of Confessions, PCUSA) |
Morning Prayers and the Lord’s Prayer (debts / debtors) (Hymnal, p.16)
Reception of Tithes and Offerings
| Offertory Anthem: |
“Tallis’ Canon” |
arr. Tucker |
| Offertory Response: |
#422 |
“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” |
| God, whose giving knows no ending, From Your rich and endless store, Nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, Costly cross, grave’s shattered door: Gifted by You, we turn to You, Offering up ourselves in praise; Thankful song shall rise forever, Gracious donor of our days. |
Offertory Prayer
| Hymn of Trust |
#210 |
“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” |
Charge and Blessing
| Congregation’s Response: |
#322 |
“Spirit of the Living God” |
| Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. |
Postlude
Organist: Karen Altpeter
Pianist: Pat Dymacek
Lay Reader: Amy Owens |
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