John Calvin Presbyterian Church

 

 

 

PRELUDE For the Beauty of the Earth by Jon Schmidt      

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [GTG#14] For the Beauty of the Earth

1 For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies:

Refrain:

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

2 For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light: [Refrain]

3 For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,

for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: [Refrain]

4 For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild:  [Refrain]

5 For thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given;

WORDS OF WELCOME 

ADORATION      

CALL TO WORSHIP Matt. 23:12

ONE: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled,

MANY: and those who are humble will be exalted.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Creator God,

you have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to behold

your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him by whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,

HYMN [GTG#324] For All the Faithful Women

For all the faithful women who served in days of old,

to you shall thanks be given; to all, their story told.

They served with strength and gladness in tasks your wisdom gave.

To you their lives bore witness, proclaimed your power to save.

 We praise your name for Miriam, who sang triumphantly

while Pharaoh’s vaunted army lay drowned beneath the sea;

For Ruth, who left her homeland and ventured forth in faith,

who pledged to serve and worship Naomi’s God till death.

We sing of busy Martha, who toiled with pot and pan

while Mary sat in silence to hear the word again. 

We praise the other Mary, who hastened to the tomb

and found her Lord arisen, dispelling doubt and gloom. 

Lord, hear our praise of Dorcas, who served the sick and poor.

Her hands were cups of kindness, her heart an open door.

O God, for saints and servants, our fervent prayer we raise,

that, faithful in your service, our lives may sing your praise.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty and merciful God,

we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Forgive those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name.

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

1st SCRIPTURE                     Psalm 146

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.

When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;

who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free;

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

2nd SCRIPTURE                           Mark 12: 28-34

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.  

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON     “(B)ut the Greatest of These is…”      CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ 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#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN [GTG#366] Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion; pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

2 Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;

let us all in thee inherit; let us find the promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

4 Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee:

changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

PARTING PRAYER 

We pray to you, O God: be our helper and protector. Save the afflicted, have mercy on the lowly, raise up the fallen, help the needy, humble the proud, return the lost, feed the hungry, release the captive, heal the sick, revive the weak, and comfort those in fear. All this we ask for the sake of the world you love, and in the name of the one you sent to save us: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#716] God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

3. Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred: ours to use for home and kindred,

and to spread the gospel word.

Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ’s ageless call,

healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.

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

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2. We are the young; our lives are a mystery. We are the old who yearn 

for your face. We have been sung throughout all of history,

called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in, 

the proud and the strong Give us a heart, 

so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, 

light years away: Here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh 

WORDS OF WELCOME 

ADORATION      

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 126:3

ONE: God has done great things for us;

MANY: therefore we rejoice in the Lord.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty God,

Send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, Almighty God, to rule 

HYMN [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]

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, 

you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Do not cast us away from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit.

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,

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE                     Psalm 34:1-8

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

2nd SCRIPTURE                           Mark 10: 46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

 

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON     “To See or Not To See”      CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ 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#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN [GTG#370] This Is My Father’s World

1 This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world. O, let me ne’er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world. The battle is not done:

Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.

PARTING PRAYER (St. Francis of Assisi)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#716] God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

2. Skills and time are ours for pressing toward the goals of Christ, your Son:

all at peace in health and freedom, races joined, the church made one.

Now direct our daily labor, lest we strive for self alone.

Born with talents, make us servants fit to answer at your throne.

POSTLUDE                                 

*Altar Flowers for service were donated by the Mayfields in honor of the Spirit here at John Calvin. Thank you to all who have stepped up to be the church that God calls us to be.

*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

×

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

PRELUDE  

 

in every land let praises and songs of gladness ring.

2 For you will judge the peoples in truth and righteousness, and on the earth all nations will your just rule confess. Let all the peoples praise you; let all the nations sing. Then earth in rich abundance to us its fruit will bring.

The Lord our God will bless us; our God will blessing send,

and all the earth will worship to its remotest end.

 

WORDS OF WELCOME 

ADORATION   

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 91:14-15

ONE: Those who love the Lord, God will deliver;

MANY: when they call, God will answer them.

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations. Preserve the works of your mercy, that your church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, forever and ever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG#726] Will You Come and Follow Me

1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known;

will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

1. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

5. Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

O Lord our God, 

you call us to proclaim the gospel, but we remain silent in the presence of evil. You call us to be reconciled to you and one another, but we are content to live in separation. You call us to seek the good of all, but we fail to resist the powers of oppression. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. Forgive us, O Lord. 

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,

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE                       Job 38:1-7, 31-41        

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together? “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?

2nd SCRIPTURE                                                  Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

                          

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ Creed 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  It Is Well With My Soul    arr. Anna Laura Page   

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN [GTG#625] O Lord My God

1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: [Refrain]

3 And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

he bled and died to take away my sin: [Refrain]

4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” [Refrain]

PARTING PRAYER 

God of life, 

there are days when the burdens we carry are heavy on our shoulders and weigh us down, when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening, when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to your honor and glory. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#716] God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

1 God, whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store,

nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, costly cross, grave’s shattered door:

gifted by you, we turn to you, offering up ourselves in praise;

*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

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRELUDE Seis Danzas Españolas, No. 3, Isaac Albéniz  

 

 

in Jesus Christ you do not call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Draw us away from the easy road that leads to destruction, and guide us into paths that lead to life abundant, that in seeking your truth, and obeying your will, we may know the joy of being a disciple of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

HYMN[Blue #404][GTG#834] Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand; lead me on, help me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, 

lead me on to the light; take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near;

when my life is almost gone, Hear my cry, hear my call, 

hold my hand lest I fall; Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION 

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Gracious God, 

our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo . Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; 

open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace 

to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

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                       Job 23:1-9, 16-17       

Then Job answered: “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. “If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!

2nd SCRIPTURE                       Psalm 22:1-15       

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people.

All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;

“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver— let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.

On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 

3rd SCRIPTURE                       Hebrews 4:12-16       

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

4thSCRIPTURE                                                  Mark 10:17-31

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

                          

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ Creed 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     Children of the Heavenly Father by Dan Forrest 

          

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

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.

PARTING PRAYER 

Come, O Holy Spirit. 

Come as Holy Fire and burn in us, come as Holy Wind and cleanse us within, come as Holy Light and lead us in the darkness, come as Holy Truth and dispel our ignorance, come as Holy Power and enable our weakness, come as Holy Life and dwell in us. Convict us, convert us, consecrate us, until we are set free from the service of ourselves, to be your servants to the world. Amen

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#765] 

May the God of Hope Go with Us / Canto de esperanza

¡Dios de la esperanza, danos gozo y paz! Al mundo en crisis, habla tu verdad. Dios de la justicia, mándanos tu luz,

luz y esperanza en la oscuridad.

Oremos por la paz, cantemos de tu amor.

Luchemos por la paz, fieles a ti, Señor.

May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace. May the God of justice speed us on our way,

bringing light and hope to every land and race.

Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all;

working for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

POSTLUDE     Come Thou Fount, arr. Jason Payne  

*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

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

PRELUDE       Intermezzo No.1 by Manuel Ponce

 

Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2 Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

3 Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning,

born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation; praise every morning,

WORDS OF WELCOME 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADORATION      

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 19:14

ONE: Let our words and thoughts be acceptable to God;

MANY: the Lord is our rock and our redeemer. 

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Grant us, Lord, 

not to be anxious about earthly cares, but to love that which is above, and even now, while we live among transient things, to hold fast to those things that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

HYMN [*Blue #527][GTG#824] There Is a Place of Quiet Rest

1 There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God,

a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

Refrain:

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,

hold us, who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.

2 There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God,

a place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God. Refrain

3 There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God,

a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God. Refrain

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, 

in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, 

confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; 

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,

1st SCRIPTURE                     Exodus 20:1-21

Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

2nd SCRIPTURE                           Matthew 21:33-46

“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. 

 

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON     “O Lord, How Can We Know You?”      Sherrolyn Weed

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ Creed 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  Author of Justice by Lloyd Larson 

          

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN [*Blue #276][GTG#39] Great Is Thy Faithfulness

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not.

As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above; join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain

PARTING PRAYER 

Gracious God, 

we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; 

where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#765] May the God of Hope Go with Us/Canto de esperanza

¡Dios de la esperanza, danos gozo y paz! Al mundo en crisis, habla tu verdad. Dios de la justicia, mándanos tu luz,

luz y esperanza en la oscuridad.

Oremos por la paz, cantemos de tu amor.

Luchemos por la paz, fieles a ti, Señor.

May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace. May the God of justice speed us on our way,

bringing light and hope to every land and race.

Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all;

POSTLUDE       Galante by Enrique Granados                               

*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

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com