John Calvin Presbyterian Church

[Light the Candles]

RESPONSIVE HYMN [GTG#88]: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:

to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.      

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy Lord, a voice has been heard in the wilderness preparing the way for

your son to arrive in this world. Prepare our hearts to receive your son and help

us to prepare for his coming. Amen.

*HYMN OF THE MONTH  [GTG#86]      “The People Who Walked In Darkness”

1. The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. 

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow rise to a star shining bright

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

4. For us now a child is given, for all the despised and forlorn. 

The rule of compassion shall rest on his shoulder. God’s own Messiah is born! 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God with us, you are coming into the world to bring all people together in peace. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit and abuse both neighbor and nature, and refuse your justice and peace. 

In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]

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 WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                         Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, O comfort my people,

   says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

   and cry to her

that she has served her term,

   that her penalty is paid,

that she has received from the Lord’s hand

   double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:

‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be lifted up,

   and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

   and the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

   and all people shall see it together,

   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

A voice says, ‘Cry out!’

   And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’

All people are grass,

   their constancy is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

   when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

   surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades;

   but the word of our God will stand for ever.

Get you up to a high mountain,

   O Zion, herald of good tidings;

lift up your voice with strength,

   O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,

   lift it up, do not fear;

say to the cities of Judah,

   ‘Here is your God!’

See, the Lord God comes with might,

   and his arm rules for him;

his reward is with him,

   and his recompense before him.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;

   he will gather the lambs in his arms,

and carry them in his bosom,

   and gently lead the mother sheep.

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN 

CANTATA: THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT 

edited and arranged by Patrick M. Liebergen 

Conductor: Renna Shows Pianist: Kelly Cuppett

Choir: Bill Bottomley, Hazel Clinard, Lila Crotty, Pat Ellzey, Will Ellzey, Cheryl Emery, Alice Hull, Briana Mayfield, Cameron Mayfield, Aaron Ochart, Ron Palmisano, Karla Russo, Lindsay Shin, Betty Wan, Theo Wan, Dee Watkins.

Narrators: Sharon Fortin, Susan Lassalle, Louise Ochart  

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                   

DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592] [GTG# 606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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 #12] [GTG#105]  “People, Look East”

1. People, look east. The time is near  Of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there:

Give up your strength the seed to nourish, 

That in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build, 

Guard the nest that must be filled.

Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim 

One more light the bowl shall brim,

Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.

5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

PARTING PRAYER

Almighty God, you have made us and all things to serve you. Now prepare the world for your rule. Come quickly to save us, so that wars and violence shall end, and your children may live in peace, honoring one another with justice and love; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG 90]               “Wait for the Lord”

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. 

Wait for the Lord; be strong; take heart!

POSTLUDE: Selections from A Christmas Light arr. Patrick Liebergen

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

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

1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,

born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.

WORDS OF WELCOME

EXPECTATION FOR MESSIAH

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE       adapted from Isa 59:9& Ps. 80:18-19

1st PERSON: O Lord of light, Come to save us. 

2nd PERSON: We wait for your light, but all is in darkness;

        We wait for brightness, but we walk in gloom. 

ALL: Give us life, and we will call on your name 

  Restore us, o Lord God of hosts. 

  Let your face shine that we may be saved. 

[Light the Candle]

RESPONSIVE HYMN[BLUE#9] [GTG#88]: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.      

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

God of the promised Messiah, as we wait for the fulfillment of your promise,

we watch, we listen, and we open our hearts for your Word. Show us signs of

your presence: a light in the darkness, a voice in the silence, and a stirring deep

within us. Amen.

*HYMN OF THE MONTH  [GTG#86]      “The People Who Walked In Darkness”

1. The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. 

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow rise to a star shining bright

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace

3. The yoke of despair and bondage, the chains of the slave masters’s rod 

are shattered and scattered like dust in a windstorm, loosed by the justice of God. 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace

4. For us now a child is given, for all the despised and forlorn. 

The rule of compassion shall rest on his shoulder. God’s own Messiah is born! 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN 

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#349):  Sleepers Wake, A Voice Astounds us” v. 1         

1 “Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us; the shout of rampart guards surrounds us:

“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” Midnight’s peace their cry has broken,

their urgent summons clearly spoken: “The time has come, O maidens wise!

Rise up, and give us light; the Bridegroom is in sight. Alleluia!

Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share.”

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God with us, you are coming into the world to bring all people together in peace. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit and abuse both neighbor and nature, and refuse your justice and peace. 

In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

*GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]  

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 WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                         Jeremiah 33:14-25

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to make grain offerings, and to make sacrifices for all time. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: Thus says the Lord: If any of you could break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night would not come at their appointed time, only then could my covenant with my servant David be broken, so that he would not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with my ministers the Levites. Just as the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will increase the offspring of my servant David, and the Levites who minister to me. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: Have you not observed how these people say, “The two families that the Lord chose have been rejected by him,” and how they hold my people in such contempt that they no longer regard them as a nation? Thus says the Lord: Only if I had not established my covenant with day and night and the ordinances of heaven and earth, would I reject the offspring of Jacob and of my servant David and not choose any of his descendants as rulers over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes, and will have mercy upon them.

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,

rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified:

no angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,

but downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

3 Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways

from pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end; and round his pierced feet

fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

4 Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time;

creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;

thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.

WORDS OF WELCOME           

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 100:3

ONE: The Lord is God; we are God’s people.

MANY: We are the sheep of God’s pasture.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of faithfulness, your servant Josiah restored your holy words to a people longing for your guidance. Help us learn your Scriptures so that we might carry your words in our hearts, in our words, and in our actions. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [GTG# 506] 

“Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table”

1. Look who gathers at Christ’s table! Hear the stories that they bring.

Some are weeping; some are laughing;

some have songs they want to sing.

Others ask why they’re invited, burdened by the wrong the’ve done.

Christ insists they all are welcome. there is room for ev’ryone.

2. Clouds of light surround the table; Ancient followers appear,

saints confessing how they wrestled with their guilt, their doubt and fear.

Peter tells of his denying Christ was ever in his sight;

Paul relates his fruitless efforts to obliterate the light.

3. Their sad stories are repeated in a thousand diff’rent ways,

but they share one thing in common: they all end in thanks and praise

for the host who has invited north and south and east and west

to converge around this table, where all life is fed and blest.

4. Bring your joy and bring your sadness, and prepare to be surprised

by the host whose hands are wounded, who will open wide your eyes

when he blesses bread and breaks it– truth and manna from above!–

and then passes wine that wakens in your heart the taste of love.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN      

 RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#86] 

“The People Who Walked in Darkness” 

1. The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. 

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow

 rise to a star shining bright

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. 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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE 2 Kings 22:1-10, 11-20; 23:1-3

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying, ‘Go up to the high priest Hilkiah, and have him count the entire sum of the money that has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people; let it be given into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the house of the Lord; let them give it to the workers who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house, that is, to the carpenters, to the builders, to the masons; and let them use it to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house. But no account shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.’

The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, ‘I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.’ When Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, he read it. Then Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, ‘Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workers who have oversight of the house of the Lord.’ Shaphan the secretary informed the king, ‘The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.’ Shaphan then read it aloud to the king.

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary, and the king’s servant Asaiah, saying, ‘Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.’

So the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the prophetess Huldah the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; she resided in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, where they consulted her. She declared to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the Lord, I will indeed bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have abandoned me and have made offerings to other gods, so that they have provoked me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. But as to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. Therefore, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place.’ They took the message back to the king.

Then the king directed that all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem should be gathered to him. The king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him went all the people of Judah, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, keeping his commandments, his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. All the people joined in the covenant.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                       “Never Too Late”                     Reverend Ochart

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, 

And in Jesus Christ [God’s] 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. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                    “O For a World”

DOXOLOGY  [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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#379][GTG#353] “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”

1. My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness seems to hide his face,

I rest on his unchanging grace;

in every high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

3. His oath, his covenant, his blood

support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way,

he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in him be found,

dressed in his righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]

PARTING PRAYER     William Bright (1824-1901)

Loving God, you want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#44] “Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us” v. 2

2.Like a father who has taught us, 

grasped our hand and been our guide,

Lifted us and healed our sorrows, God has walked with us in life.

POSTLUDE 

Come to God’s own temple, come; raise the song of harvest home.

3 For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home;

from each field shall in that day all offenses purge away;

give the angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast,

but the fruitful ears to store in God’s garner evermore.

WORDS OF WELCOME      

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NATIVE LANDS 

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Isa. 12:2

ONE: Surely God is our salvation;

MANY: trust in the Lord and do not be afraid.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Loving Lord, you have searched your people for evidence of goodness, the way fruit is sought in a vineyard. Send your righteous judge and find goodness in your faithful children. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [GTG# 506] 

“Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table”

1. Look who gathers at Christ’s table!

Hear the stories that they bring.

Some are weeping; some are laughing;

some have songs they want to sing.

Others ask why they’re invited,

burdened by the wrong the’ve done.

Christ insists they all are welcome.

there is room for ev’ryone.

2. Clouds of light surround the table;

Ancient followers appear,

saints confessing how they wrestled

with their guilt, their doubt and fear.

Peter tells of his denying

Christ was ever in his sight;

Paul relates his fruitless efforts

to obliterate the light.

3. Their sad stories are repeated

in a thousand diff’rent ways,

but they share one thing in common:

they all end in thanks and praise

for the host who has invited

north and south and east and west

to converge around this table,

where all life is fed and blest.

4. Bring your joy and bring your sadness,

and prepare to be surprised

by the host whose hands are wounded,

who will open wide your eyes

when he blesses bread and breaks it–

truth and manna from above!–

and then passes wine that wakens

in your heart the taste of love.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN      

 RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#647] “Give Thanks” 

1. Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy One;

give thanks because we’re given Jesus Christ, the Son. (repeat)

And now let the weak say, “We are strong”; 

let the poor say, “We are rich because of what the Lord has done for us”;

Give thanks. Give thanks. 

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. 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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 634 or 596]           Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:1-5

Let me sing for my beloved

   my love-song concerning his vineyard:

My beloved had a vineyard

   on a very fertile hill.

He dug it and cleared it of stones,

   and planted it with choice vines;

he built a watch-tower in the midst of it,

   and hewed out a wine vat in it;

he expected it to yield grapes,

   but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem

   and people of Judah,

judge between me

   and my vineyard.

What more was there to do for my vineyard

   that I have not done in it?

When I expected it to yield grapes,

   why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you

   what I will do to my vineyard.

I will remove its hedge,

   and it shall be devoured;

I will break down its wall,

   and it shall be trampled down.

I will make it a waste;

   it shall not be pruned or hoed,

   and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;

I will also command the clouds

   that they rain no rain upon it.

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts

   is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah

   are his pleasant planting;

he expected justice,

   but saw bloodshed;

righteousness,

   but heard a cry!

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,

   and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

   the spirit of counsel and might,

   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

   or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

   and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                 “Bountiful Harvest”                        Reverend Ochart

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Song in the Night”, arr. Zach Busch

DOXOLOGY  [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM 

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.

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 #553][GTG#36] “For the Fruit of All Creation”

1 For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.

For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.

For the plowing, sowing, reaping,

silent growth while we are sleeping,

future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.

2 In the just reward of labor, God’s will be done.

In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will be done.

In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will be done.

3 For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.

For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.

For the wonders that astound us,

for the truths that still confound us,

most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.

PARTING PRAYER     William Bright (1824-1901)

Loving God, you want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#44] “Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us” v. 4

4. When we offer food and comfort, grasp our neighbor’s hand in love,

Tread the path of peace and justice, God still walks with us in life.

POSTLUDE      Improvisation on ASH GROVE

show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;

proclaim the captives’ liberty, good tidings to the poor.

WORDS OF WELCOME           

DEACON MINUTE     Linda Lowry

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 146:9

ONE: The Lord watches over the strangers;

MANY:God upholds those who are in need.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Faithful God, you have continued to love your people despite our faithlessness to you. Receive our thanks for never giving up on us. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [GTG# 506] 

“Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table”

1. Look who gathers at Christ’s table!

Hear the stories that they bring.

Some are weeping; some are laughing;

some have songs they want to sing.

Others ask why they’re invited,

burdened by the wrong the’ve done.

Christ insists they all are welcome.

there is room for ev’ryone.

2. Clouds of light surround the table;

Ancient followers appear,

saints confessing how they wrestled

with their guilt, their doubt and fear.

Peter tells of his denying

Christ was ever in his sight;

Paul relates his fruitless effort

to obliterate the light.

3. Their sad stories are repeated

in the thousand diff’rent ways,

but they share one thing in common:

they are end in thanks and praise

for the host who has invited

north and south and east and west

to converge around this table,

where all life is fed and blest.

4. Bring your joy and bring your sadness,

and prepare to be surprised

by the host whose hands are wounded,

who will open wide your eyes

when he blesses bread and breaks it–

truth and manna from above!–

and then passes wine that wakens

in your hear the taste of love.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN      

 RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#7] “Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth”

1 Mothering God, you gave me birth

in the bright morning of this world.

Creator, source of every breath,

you are my rain, my wind, my sun.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. 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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 794 or 842]           Hosea 11:1-9

When Israel was a child, I loved him,

   and out of Egypt I called my son.

The more I called them,

   the more they went from me;

they kept sacrificing to the Baals,

   and offering incense to idols.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

   I took them up in my arms;

   but they did not know that I healed them.

I led them with cords of human kindness,

   with bands of love.

I was to them like those

   who lift infants to their cheeks.

   I bent down to them and fed them.

They shall return to the land of Egypt,

   and Assyria shall be their king,

   because they have refused to return to me.

The sword rages in their cities,

   it consumes their oracle-priests,

   and devours because of their schemes.

My people are bent on turning away from me.

   To the Most High they call,

   but he does not raise them up at all.

How can I give you up, Ephraim?

   How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

   How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils within me;

   my compassion grows warm and tender.

I will not execute my fierce anger;

   I will not again destroy Ephraim;

for I am God and no mortal,

   the Holy One in your midst,

   and I will not come in wrath.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                     “Parent and Child”                    Reverend Ochart

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Confession of Belhar

We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; 

that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells…

that the credibility of this message is seriously affected and its beneficial work obstructed when it is proclaimed in a land which professes to be Christian, but in which the enforced separation of people on a racial basis promotes and perpetuates alienation, hatred and enmity…

Therefore, we reject any doctrine which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” arr. Vicki Hancock Wright

The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never.

I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever.

Where streams of living waters flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth;

and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill, with thee, dear Lord, beside me;

thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me.

Congration Part: And so through all the length of days 

Thy Goodness Faileth never 

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise Within thy house forever

DOXOLOGY [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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 #332][GTG#772] “Live Into Hope”

1 Live into hope of captives freed,

of sight regained, the end of greed.

The oppressed shall be the first to see

the year of God’s own jubilee!

2 Live into hope the blind shall see

with insight and with clarity,

removing shades of pride and fear

a vision of our God brought near.

3 Live into hope of liberty,

the right to speak, the right to be,

the right to have one’s daily bread,

to hear God’s word and thus be fed.

4 Live into hope of captives freed

from chains of fear or want or greed.

God now proclaims our full release

to faith and hope and joy and peace

PARTING PRAYER     William Bright (1824-1901)

Loving God, you want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#44] Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us v. 1

1. Like a mother who has borne us, held us close in her delight,

fed us freely from her body, God has called us into life.

POSTLUDE 

 

1. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God And it’s righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you Allelu Alleluia

2. Ask and it shall be given unto you Seek and you shall find

Knock and it shall be opened unto you Allelu Alleluia

3. You shall not live by bread alone, but by every word

That proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu Alleluia

WORDS OF WELCOME           

MINUTE FOR MISSION Pledge Sunday

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Deut. 6:4–5

ONE: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

MANY: You shall love the Lord your God.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of Elijah, with great fire you made your presence known to the worshipers of Baal. Help us to resist the temptation to place our trust and faith in anything other than you. Receive our worship and strengthen our faith. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [GTG# 301]“Let Us Build a House” Vs. 1,3,5

1. Let us build a house Where love can dwell and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

5. Let us build a house where all are named, 

their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN      

 RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#655] “What Shall I Render to the Lord” 

1. What shall I render to the Lord;

what shall my offering be,

for all the gracious benefits

God hath bestowed on me?

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. 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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 310 or 325]                   1 Kings 18:20-39

Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty. Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God.” All the people answered, “Well spoken!” Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come closer to me”; and all the people came closer to him. First he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down; Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name”; with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two measures of seed. Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time”; and they did it a second time. Again he said, “Do it a third time”; and they did it a third time, so that the water ran all around the altar, and filled the trench also with water. At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God.”

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                               “Limping”                       Reverend Ochart

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God.

Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

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 …, 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 ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. 

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. 

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                 “Elijah”       by Dan Davidson

DOXOLOGY  [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

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: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

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: … Great is the mystery of faith:

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

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

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

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! 

PARTING PRAYER                

O come to me, O servant Lord, pour water in your bowl, and wash my feet. I am bold to ask this because of my longing for fellowship with you. Wash my feet, then, and be my companion. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#44] Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us v. 3

3. Though as children we have wandered, 

placed our trust in power and might,

Left behind our brothers, sisters, God still calls us into life.

POSTLUDE           Improvisation on I’M GONNA LIVE