John Calvin Presbyterian Church

 

 How does the creature say Praise

2 God of the earthquake God of the storm God of the trumpet blast

 How does the creature cry Woe

 How does the creature cry Save

3 God of the rainbow God of the cross God of the empty grave

 How does the creature say Grace

 How does the creature say Thanks

4 God of the hungry God of the sick God of the prodigal

 How does the creature say Care

 How does the creature say Life

5 God of the neighbor God of the foe God of the pruning hook

 How does the creature say Love

 How does the creature say Peace

6 God of the ages God near at hand God of the loving heart

 How do your children say Joy

 How do your children say Home

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS          

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

ONE:  Our God, ruler of the universe, calls us.

  Christ, who bore the cross, calls us.

  Holy Spirit, who enables us to live, calls us.

MANY: Let us faithfully answer by worshiping the Triune God.

                                        

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy God, You celebrate with us in our joys, and comfort us in our weaknesses.  Fill us today with a fervent desire to live in your kingdom.  Lead us by the cross of Christ to live in the love of Christ, through whom we pray.  Amen.

HYMN [Blue#421][GTG#320] “The Church of Christ in Every Age”

1 The church of Christ in every age, beset by change but Spirit-led,

must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead.

2 Across the world, across the street, the victims of injustice cry

for shelter and for bread to eat, and never live before they die.

3 Then let the servant church arise, a caring church that longs to be

a partner in Christ’s sacrifice, and clothed in Christ’s humanity.

4 For Christ alone, whose blood was shed,can cure the fever in our blood, and teach us how to share our bread

and feed the starving multitude.

5 We have no mission but to serve in full obedience to our Lord:

to care for all, without reserve, and spread Christ’s liberating word.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world.  Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas.  The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation.  We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and turn them into bonds of oppression.  Lord, have mercy on us; heal and forgive us, we pray. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.  Amen.*

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Galatians 5:13-26

2nd  SCRIPTURE 2 Kings 2:1-14       

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON   “Taking Up the Mantel” Rev. Jan Condren

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “When Wind Meets Fire” Elevation Worship Arr. Grant Wall 

Duet: Elder Briana Mayfield and Director Randy Martono-Chai

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.

HYMN [GTG#825] “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

Refrain:

Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.

 Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.

1 I looked over Jordan, and what did I see

 coming for to carry me home?

 A band of angels coming after me,

 coming for to carry me home. O, Refrain

2 If you get there before I do, coming for to carry me home,

 tell all my friends I’m coming too,

 coming for to carry me home. O, Refrain

3 The brightest day that ever I saw, coming for to carry me home, when Jesus washed my sins away,

 coming for to carry me home. O, Refrain

4 I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,

 coming for to carry me home, but still my soul feels 

heavenly bound, coming for to carry me home. O, Refrain

PARTING PRAYER  

As we leave this day, and turn to lunch, fill our hearts with a spirit of joy and wonder. Open our hearts and minds to share with one another. And bless the food and all who have prepared it. Let it nourish our journey with You.  Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG 549] “May the Love of the Lord”

May the love of the Lord rest upon your soul.

May God’s love dwell in you, throughout every day.

May God’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God’s Spirit be upon you as you leave this place.

POSTLUDE “Every Praise” arr. Hezekiah Walker Duet: Elder Briana Mayfield and Director Randy Martono-Chai                               

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

*Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Copyright 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

STAFF

 

 

PRELUDE Praeludium in G Major by Johann Kuhnau

 

 

 

to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#439][GTG#318] In Christ There Is No East or West

1 In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,

but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

2 In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;

his service is the golden cord close-binding humankind.

3 Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate’er your race may be.

All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

4 In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north. All Christly souls are one in him

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of gospel freedom, we find it difficult to imagine that we could indeed be your children through faith. We cannot believe that we could belong to Christ and be heirs of the promise made to Abraham and his offspring. Help our unbelief; rekindle our imagination. Tame our rebellion. Bring us back to ourselves and to you. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 22:18-27

2nd  SCRIPTURE     Luke 8:26-39   

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Healed and Maybe a Little Afraid”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Blessed Assurance”

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.

HYMN [Blue #394][GTG#792] There Is a Balm in Gilead

Refrain:

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

1 Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain,

but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. [Refrain]

2 Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend,

and if you lack for knowledge, he’ll not refuse to lend. [Refrain]

3 If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,

you can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all.” [Refrain]

PARTING PRAYER   Richard of Chichester

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, 

for all the benefits which you have won for us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, 

love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG#717] For the Life That You Have Given

For the life that you have given,

for the love in Christ made known,

with these fruits of time and labor,

with these gifts that are your own:

here we offer, Lord, our praises;

heart and mind and strength we bring;

give us grace to love and serve you,

living what we pray and sing.

POSTLUDE        “Morning Has Broken”                       

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

STAFF

in whom we know the maker of all things seen and unseen, the Savior of all both near and far: By your Spirit enable us to worship your divine majesty, so that with all the company of heaven we may magnify your glorious name, saying: Holy, holy, holy. Glory to you, O Lord most high. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#263][GTG#12] Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might: thy justice, like mountains high soaring above;

thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small. In all life thou livest, the true life of all. We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,

then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

4 Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light. Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight. All praise we would render; O help us to see ’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yours is a perfect relationship, one God in three persons, mutual and whole. We confess that our relationships are not that way. We have been too selfish; we have given too much; we have accepted too little.

We have failed to love in the manner of Jesus. We have let sin drive us away from one another and from you. We long for wholeness and peace, but our sin pulls us in other directions. Forgive us and restore us. Pull us to you. With mercy and grace, pull us to you. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE 2 Peter 1:1-11

2nd  SCRIPTURE     John 16:12-15                                   

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.

HYMN [Blue #542][GTG#675] All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

1 All praise to thee, my God, this night, for all the blessings of the light! Keep me, O keep me safe from harm

within the shelter of thine arm!

2 Forgive me, Lord, through Christ, I pray, the wrong that I have done this day, that I, before I sleep, may be

at peace with neighbor, self, and thee.

3 O may my soul on thee repose, and with sweet sleep mine eyelids close. Refresh my strength, for thine own sake,

to serve thee well when I awake.

4 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.

PARTING PRAYER   

Almighty and ever-living God, 

you have given us grace, by our confession of faith, to acknowledge and worship your triune name in the majesty of your unity. Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your eternal glory, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#322][GTG#288] Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

POSTLUDE                                

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

STAFF

Liturgist: Joan Albright

Please silence all cell phones. 

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments”

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [Blue#356][GTG#475] Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION Pentecostal Offering           

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

ONE: Holy Spirit, Creator,

in the beginning you moved over the waters.

From your breath all creation drew life.

Without you, life turns to dust.

MANY: Come, Holy Spirit! 

ONE: Holy Spirit, Counselor,

by your inspiration, the prophets spoke and acted in faith.

You clothed them in power to be bearers of your Word.

MANY: Come, Holy Spirit! 

ONE: Holy Spirit, Power,

you came as fire to Jesus’ disciples;

you gave them voice before the rulers of this world.

MANY: Come, Holy Spirit!

ONE: Holy Spirit, Sanctifier,

you created us children of God;

you make us the living temple of your presence;

you intercede within us with sighs too deep for words.

MANY: Come, Holy Spirit!

ONE: Holy Spirit, Giver of life,

you guide and make holy the church you create;

you give gifts—

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and fortitude,

the spirit of knowledge and piety,

the spirit of the fear of the Lord,

that the whole creation may become what you want it to be.

MANY: Come, Holy Spirit!                                        

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy God, who comes to us in breath,

visits us from the throne of heaven,

and sets us aflame with amazement and joy,

you open our paths to new visions

and guide our feet deeper into your wisdom.

Give us faith to trust your presence,

through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you 

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#504][GTG#529] Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether

1 Draw us in the Spirit’s tether, for when humbly in your name

 two or three are met together, you are in the midst of them.

 Alleluia! Alleluia! Here we touch your garment’s hem.

2 As disciples used to gather in the name of Christ to sup,

 then with thanks to God the giver break the bread and bless the cup,

 Alleluia! Alleluia! so now bind our friendship up.

3 All our meals and all our living make as sacraments of you,

 that by caring, helping, giving, we may be disciples true.

 Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve with faith anew.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Ps. 104:24–28

God of new creation, 

we confess that we have failed to trust 

your bountiful goodness.

By the power of the Holy Spirit

you brought forth the earth and its 

creatures in abundance.

Yet, we hoard earth’s resources and refuse 

to share your gifts.

We dishonor your generosity by withholding 

our charity to those in need.

We betray your kindness by dealing harshly 

with our enemies.

We disregard your compassion by severely judging 

the sins of others.

Forgive us.  

By the power of your Spirit

renew our hearts and free us from sins

that we may enjoy the fullness of your 

blessing upon all creation. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Acts 2:1-21

2nd  SCRIPTURE   John 14:8-17, 25-27                                  

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Wade in the Water”  Rev. Dr. Martha J. Robson

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe there is no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus;

for we know that all things work together for good

for those who love God,

who are called according to God’s purpose.

We are convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor rulers,

nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY & ANTHEM: “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” with Bell Choir

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

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

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Sharing Joys and Concerns

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …of all the angels and saints who sing:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

MANY: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again…

One:…almighty God, now and forever. 

Many: Amen.

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.

Communion of the People

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  (unison)

God of all might and power,

we praise you that you forged your church in the fire of the Spirit,

and breathed life into your people that we might be the body of Christ.

By your Spirit,

baptize us again with your flame of faith, fill us with the breath of zeal,

inspire us with the witness of martyrs and saints, and send us forth into your world to live Christ’s life in power and compassion.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

HYMN [GTG#192] Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining

1 Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst 

of the darkness, shining; Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us;

set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me; shine on me.

Refrain:

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

2 Lord, I come to your awesome presence,

from the shadows into your radiance;

by the blood I may enter your brightness. Search me; try me; 

consume all my darkness. Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]

3 As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

so our faces display your likeness;

Ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell 

your story. Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#525][GTG#69] “I the Lord of Earth and Sky” Refrain

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

 I have heard you calling in the night.

 I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

 I will hold your people in my heart.

POSTLUDE  “Wade in the Water” by the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Many thanks to the people who contributed to the creation of this worship experience: 

Joan Albright

Bill Bottomley

Sandy Cranfill

Emily Garland

Randy Martono-Chai

Cynthia Palmisano

Ron Palmisano                             

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

STAFF

 

PRELUDE “It Is Well With My Soul”

 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#][GTG#688] Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart

1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;

stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,

and make me love thee as I ought to love.

2 I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,

no sudden rending of the veil of clay,

no angel visitant, no opening skies;

but take the dimness of my soul away.

3 Hast thou not bid us love thee, God and King;

all, all thine own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?

I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.

O let me seek thee, and O let me find!

4 Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh.

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,

to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh.

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

5 Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,

one holy passion filling all my frame;

the baptism of the heaven-descended Dove,

my heart an altar, and thy love the flame.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Source of Shalom, 

you have raised Jesus from death to life, and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give him glory. Forgive us, and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 97

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord , before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him. Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. For you, O Lord , are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord , O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

2nd  SCRIPTURE     Acts 16:16-34   

One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.                            

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Singing Hymns in Jail”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Panis Angelicus” by César Franck

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.

HYMN [Blue #326][GTG#418] Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me.

See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,

watching for you and for me.

Refrain:

“Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home.” Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

calling, “O sinner, come home!”

2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

pleading for you and for me?

Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,

mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]

3 O for the wonderful love he has promised,

promised for you and for me!

Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,

pardon for you and for me. [Refrain] 

PARTING PRAYER   Augustine of Hippo

Fill us with your holy love, O Lord, and open the treasures of your wisdom to us. You alone know all that we desire. So perfect what you have begun in us, and answer the prayers you instill in us through the stirring of your Holy Spirit. Even as we seek your face, turn to us and show us your glory. Then our longing will be satisfied, and our peace will be complete. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG#661] Why Should I Feel Discouraged? (His Eye Is on the Sparrow)

3 Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to him, from care he sets me free:

his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;

his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

POSTLUDE   “Oh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins                             

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

STAFF