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WORSHIP OCTOBER 15 2017
11 A.M. WORSHIP
THE GATHERING Eliza Smith
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
THE PRELUDE La Rejouissance (the Rejoicing) George F. Handel
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The Earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.
People: For God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Leader: Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in.
People: Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, the Lord is the King of glory!
Leader: Let us worship God, who creates us, redeems us and sustains us. Amen.
-Psalm 24:1-2; 9-10
*THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 274 O God of Earth and Space LEONI
THE CALL TO CONFESSION
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, you are from everlasting to everlasting. You, the creator of heaven and earth extend from the furthest reaches of the universe to the depths of Sheol. Yet in our finitude, we forget from whom our blessings flow. We blur the lines between creator and creation and think that we are the authors of our own blessings. But you alone are eternal, you alone are the source of all life and all good. We ask forgiveness for forgetting our place in creation. Return us to your marvelous image, remind us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and call forth from us the commitment you would have us bring, through Jesus the Christ we pray, Amen.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE (for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession)
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
People: That I belong, body and soul, in life and in death, not to myself, but to my faithful savior, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Believe the promise of the Gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. -(from the Heidelberg Catechism)
*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn 497
With grateful hearts our faith professing, we ask you, Lord, come to our aid, that we, our common faith confessing, may keep the vows that we have made.
*THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
People: And also with you.
THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)
THE MINUTE MESSAGE Douglas Davis-Selph
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 8:7-18 (page 159 in the pew Bible, OT)
THE ANTHEM L’Dor Vador Meir Finkelstein
John Young, tenor
To all generations we will make known your greatness, and to all eternity proclaim your holiness. Your praise, O God, shall never depart from our lips. You are the sovereign; almighty and holy. Blessed is God, the holy one.
THE SERMON “The Good Land” Baron Mullis
THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 17:11-19 (page 75 in the pew Bible, NT)
*THE HYMN 467 How Great Thou Art O STORE GUD
*THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: A DECLARATION OF FAITH (1977) CHAPTER TWO
God created and rules in love. God created all the worlds that are and upholds and rules everything. We affirm that the universe exists by the power of God's Word and Spirit. God has chosen to give it reality out of the love we have come to know in Christ. God still works through the processes that shape and change the earth and the living things upon it. We acknowledge God's care and control in the regularity of the universe as well as in apparently random happenings. There is no event from which God is absent and his ultimate purpose in all events is just and loving. That purpose embraces our choices and will surely be accomplished. The Creator works in all things toward the new creation that is promised in Christ.
THE PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE 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 our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
THE OFFERTORY They Could Not Ron Harris/Claire Cloninger
John Young, tenor
*THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION OLD HUNDREDTH
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 HYMN 420 God of Grace and God of Glory CWM RHONDDA
*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*THE CHORAL RESPONSE Grant Us Wisdom, Grant Us Courage Paul Langston
*THE POSTLUDE God of Grace Paul Manz
*(The asterisk indicates parts of the worship when the congregation is invited to stand as they are able.)
