Worship Service Bulletin

A Service for the Lord’s Day

2nd Sunday after Pentecost

(*Please stand in body or in spirit)

The Instrumental Prelude and Time for Meditation

Announcements, Rev. Hana Elliott

Celebrations and the Birthday Song,

  Happy birthday, happy birthday, your friends are all singing.

May the year that is coming bring gladness to you.

   May it teach you to be helpful, kindhearted, and loving.

     Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.

*Call to Worship: (1)

Leader: Come, all you whose souls thirst for the living God.

People: We come in search of help and hope.

Leader: Come, you who are acquainted with grief or oppression.

People: We come bearing our doubts, our wounds, and our fears.

Leader: Come, you who are in need of good news.

People: We come in search of joy, truth, and light.

Leader: Come and find refuge in God your rock.

People: Let us again praise the One who is our help and our hope.

*Hymn #30 “Come, Thou fount of Every Blessing”

*Call to Confession:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; yet we are justified by the gift of God’s grace through the redemption that is ours in Christ Jesus. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin, first in silence, and then aloud together.

*Prayer of Confession, In Unison

(Begin with individual silent prayer before joining in unison)

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves, and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbors, and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

*Assurance of Forgiveness:

Our righteousness is found in Christ alone, a gift of God by faith. Beloved people of God, believe the good news: through the grace of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

*The Gloria #108, In Unison

  Glory be to the Father

And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost

      As it was in the beginning,

     Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

*Passing of the Peace:

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Prayer for Illumination:

Let us pray together: As you spoke to the Legions, O God, speak now to the forces that surround us. By your Spirit, let your word illumine the darkness, and your light break through our delusions, that we may see your truth. Amen.

First Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:23-29 (pg. 1824)

Second Scripture Reading: Luke 8:26-39 (pg. 1617)

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord

People: Let our thanks and praise be to God!

Children’s Time: Grant & Leasy Burcham

Sermon:

*Hymn #497 “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”

*Affirmation of Faith, (2)

The Church is the body of Christ. Christ gives to the Church all the gifts necessary to be his body. The Church strives to demonstrate these gifts in its life as a community in the world: The Church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life. The Church is to be a community of hope, rejoicing in the sure and certain knowledge that, in Christ, God is making a new creation. This new creation is a new beginning for human life and for all things. The Church lives in the present on the strength of that promised new creation. The Church is to be a community of love, where sin is forgiven, reconciliation is accomplished, and the dividing walls of hostility are torn down. The Church is to be a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord. Amen.

Call to Offering:

God gives more than enough for our journey of faith. Let us present our tithes and offerings so that others may know their blessings and give thanks to God.

Offering,

Monetary gifts may be placed in the offering plates as they are passed among the pews.

*Doxology #109

  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.

*Prayer of Dedication

Let us Pray: With these gifts, O God, we remember with thanksgiving the life that we have because of you. Make us grateful every day for the privilege of offering ourselves for the well-being of all our world. Amen.

Prayers of the People

….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.

Choral Response

  Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,

Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen

*Hymn (3) “For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!”

       “For freedom, Christ has set us free!”

         What joy is ours to claim!

         No more enslaved, humanity

         Finds life in Jesus’ name

         We try, Lord, to be justified

         Through all the works we do.

         Yet you adopt us, saying “Child

         It’s Christ who makes you new.”

         We’re clothed in Christ and we belong;

         Now no one waits outside.

         In him we find our common song;

         Old ways no more divide.

         “It is no longer I who live,

         But Christ who lives in me.”

         He died for us, new life to give−

         And new identity.

         Now, Spirit-filled, may we be led

         From ways that would destroy.

         May we your people turn instead

         To live of love and joy

         May we find peace that makes us whole

         And patience everywhere.

         God, give us kindness, self-control,

         And hearts and hands that share.

*Charge & Blessing, (4)

*Choral Response: “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” (Insert)

  Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.

Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.

   Here my Spirit’s power filled you;

    here my tender comfort stilled you.

       Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.

*The Choral Amen,

  Amen,   Amen,   Amen.

(1) by Rev. Heather A. Moody

(2) from The Book of Order, F-1.0301

(3) Text: Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.