The beginning of the prelude is a call to silence toenter into the spirit of prayer and community.
PRELUDE “La Réjouissance” from Music for the Royal Fireworks – G.F. Handel, arr. S. Conrady
CALL TO WORSHIP
OPENING HYMN “We Gather Together” No.
1. We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens his will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing: Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.
2. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be thine!
MORNING PRAYER
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long will humanity turn your glory into shame? How long will your people love delusions and seek false gods? In my anger I have sinned; though you continue to search my heart for love. Forgive me, O Lord, and help me to follow your teaching and live a life that is pleasing to you, so that your face may once again shine upon me. Amen.
A moment of silence for personal reflection
WORDS OF ASSURANCE God pardons those who humbly repent and truly believe the gospel. Since Jesus died for us, we have peace with God, to whom be praise and honor forever. Amen
The Message
SPECIAL MUSIC “Simple Gifts” – A. Copland
SCRIPTURE READINGS Genesis 12:1-8 Mark 7:1-23
MORNING REFLECTION
Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” No. 228
1. Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down, Fix in us they humble dwelling, all they faithful mercies crown; Jesus thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love thou art’ Visit us with they salvation, Enter every trembling heart.
2. Finish, then, they new creation; Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see they great salvation Perfectly restored in thee; Change from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lose in wonder, love, and praise
The Thanksgiving
CHORAL CALL TO PRAYER “Hear our prayer” – D. Whelpton
“Hear our prayer, O Lord, incline thine ear to us and grant us Thy peace“
A moment of personal prayer
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day Thy daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER “Thou will keep Him” – Scottish Psalter, 1615
“Thou will keep Him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
Sharing of Our Gifts
Your gifts to the church matter now more than ever! We encourage people to continue to make an offering by mailing to the church. Your generosity in this time makes a big difference.
OFFERTORY PRAYER Freely you have received, freely give. Let you light so shine before all that they may see your good works, and glorify your God who is in heaven.
DOXOLOGY
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen“.
The Departure
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” No. 391
1. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
3. High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heav’n’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
BENEDICTION PRAYER
POSTLUDE “La Réjouissance” from Music for the Royal Fireworks – G.F. Handel, arr. S. Conrady
