John Calvin Presbyterian Church

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           

At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be;

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, 

and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he. 

2 I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, 

but they would not dance, and they would not follow me.

I danced for the fishermen, for James and John. 

They came with me and the dance went on.(refrain)

3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame.

The holy people said it was a shame. 

They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,

and left me there on the cross to die. (refrain)

5 They cut me down and I leapt up high

  I am the life that will never never die. 

I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me, 

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. (refrain)

WORDS OF WELCOME     

MINUTE FOR MISSION Linda Lowry

ADORATION 

CALL TO WORSHIP     Ps. 90:1–2

ONE: The Lord is our eternal dwelling place;

MANY: from age to age, the Lord is our God.

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy One of Israel, King David worked hard to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel so that the people could honor you in your house of worship. Receive our praise in this house of worship, as we rejoice in your presence. Amen.

WORSHIP

“How Great Is Our God”

1 The splendor of our King, clothed in majesty; 

let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.

God wraps themself in light, and darkness tries to hide’ 

It trembles at their voice, trembles at their voice. 

Refrain: How great is our God! Sing with me, “How great is our God!

And all will see how great, how great, is our God!

2 Age to age God stands, and time is in their hands; 

Beginning and the end, beginning and the end.

The Godhead three in one, Father, Spirit, Son,

the Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. (Refrain)

Bridge: Name above all names, worthy of all praise;

My heart will sing, how great is our God! (Refrain)

“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”

Over the mountains and the sea, your river runs with love for me,

and I will open up my heart and let the healer set me free. 

I’m happy to be in the truth, and I will daily lift my hands,

for I will always sing of when your love came down.

Refrain: I could sing of your love forever (4x)

Bridge: Oh I feel like dancing, it’s foolishness I know

but when the world has seen the light,

they will dance with joy like we’re dancing now (Refrain)     

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 551 or 583] Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
  praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
  praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
  praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
  praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
  praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN       

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 267 or 279] 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:             “Undignified”                  Rev. Ochart

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH            “Confession of 1967”

God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of [hu]man’s life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes [hu]man’s natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that [God’s] purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from [God’s] creation… With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY             “Undignified”

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. 

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.

CLOSING WORSHIP  “Heart of Worship”    

1 When the Music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come. 

Longing just to bring something that’s of worth, that will bless your heart. 

Pre chorus: I’ll bring you more than a song, 

for a song in itself is not what you have required.

You search much deeper within, through the way things appear;

you’re looking into my heart. 

Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship, 

and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,

when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus. 

2 King of endless worth, no one could express how much you deserve. 

Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath.

Pre chorus: I’ll bring you more than a song, 

for a song in itself is not what you have required.

You search much deeper within, through the way things appear;

you’re looking into my heart. 

Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship, 

and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,

when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.

“Seek Ye First” [*BLUE #333][GTG#175]

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 give unto you; seek and you shall find;

knock and the door will 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!

Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship, 

and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,

when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus. 

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# 406] “We Are Standing On Holy Ground”

We are standing on holy ground

And I know there are angels all around 

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence On holy ground     

*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.

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

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 OF THE MONTH [BLUE#330] [GTG #50] 

“Deep in the Shadows of the Past”

1 Deep in the shadows of the past,

far out from settled lands,

some nomads traveled with their God

across the desert sands.

The dawning hope of humankind

by them was sensed and shown:

a promise calling them ahead,

a future yet unknown.

2 While others bowed to changeless gods,

they met a mystery,

invisible, without a name:

“I AM WHAT I WILL BE”;

and by their tents, around their fires

in story, song, and law,

they praised, remembered, handed on

a past that promised more.

3 From Exodus to Pentecost

the promise changed and grew,

while some, remembering the past,

recorded what they knew,

or with their letters and laments,

their prophecy and praise,

recovered, kindled, and expressed

new hope for changing days.

4 For all the writings that survived,

for leaders, long ago,

who sifted, copied, and preserved

the Bible that we know,

give thanks, and find its story yet

our promise, strength, and call,

the model of emerging faith,

alive with hope for all.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN [Blue#138] [GTG #1] 

“Holy Holy Holy! Lord God Almighty!”

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. 

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord our God, you call us to proclaim your 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 bring liberty for the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. 

Forgive us, Lord. Reconcile us to you by your Spirit, and give us the courage and strength to be reconciled to others; through Jesus Christ. 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 READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 76 or 79] Exodus 33:12-23

Moses said to the LORD, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’

The LORD said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The LORD”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the LORD continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON: “Sanctuary” Mike Isham

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH           “Theological Declaration of Barmen”

Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.

    As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures.

   The church’s commission, upon which its freedom is founded, consists in delivering the message of the free grace of God to all people in Christ’s stead, and therefore in the ministry of his own Word and work through sermon and Sacrament.

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. Amen. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG#701] “Lord, Prepare Me (Sanctuary)”    

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary

Pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You (x2)

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#406] “We Are Standing On Holy Ground”

We are standing on holy ground

And I know there are angels all around 

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence On holy ground

POSTLUDE  

 

MANY: and destroy the power of death forever.

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

God of the people, your servant Ruth showed great love when she clung to  Naomi. Teach us to show great compassion, and to turn to you when we are in  need. Amen. 

HYMN OF THE MONTH [BLUE#330] [GTG #50] 

“Deep in the Shadows of the Past”

1 Deep in the shadows of the past,

far out from settled lands,

some nomads traveled with their God

across the desert sands.

The dawning hope of humankind

by them was sensed and shown:

a promise calling them ahead,

a future yet unknown.

2 While others bowed to changeless gods,

they met a mystery,

invisible, without a name:

“I AM WHAT I WILL BE”;

and by their tents, around their fires

in story, song, and law,

they praised, remembered, handed on

a past that promised more.

3 From Exodus to Pentecost

the promise changed and grew,

while some, remembering the past,

recorded what they knew,

or with their letters and laments,

their prophecy and praise,

recovered, kindled, and expressed

new hope for changing days.

4 For all the writings that survived,

for leaders, long ago,

who sifted, copied, and preserved

the Bible that we know,

give thanks, and find its story yet

our promise, strength, and call,

the model of emerging faith,

alive with hope for all.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN  [GTG#324]

“For All the Faithful Women”

1. 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 pow’r to save.

2. 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.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord our God, you call us to proclaim your 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 bring liberty for the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. 

Forgive us, Lord. Reconcile us to you by your Spirit, and give us the courage and strength to be reconciled to others; through Jesus Christ. 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 READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 230 or 241] Ruth 1:1-17

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there for about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons or her husband.

Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had had consideration for his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.’ Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people.’ But Naomi said, ‘Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.’ Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

So she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said,

‘Do not press me to leave you

   or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

   where you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people,

   and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die—

   there will I be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me,

   and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:      “Where You Go, I Will Go”     Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH          “Westminster Shorter Catechism”

ONE: What is the main purpose for humanity?

MANY: The main purpose for humanity is to glorify and enjoy God forever.

ONE: What rule has God given to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God?

MANY: The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God.

ONE: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
MANY: The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God, and what duty God requires of us.

ONE: How many Persons are there in the Trinity?
MANY: There are three Persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

ONE: What is Sin?

MANY: Sin is any lack of obedience to, or violation of, the law of God.

ONE: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
MANY: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and human, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.

ONE: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
MANY:The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY God Moves in a Mysterious Way by Raymond H. Haan

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#482 [GTG#35]  “Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty”    

1 Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;

join me in glad adoration!

2 Praise ye the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been

granted in what he ordaineth?

3 Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the amen sound from his people again;

gladly for aye we adore him.

 

MANY:The righteous will live by their faith.

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Loving Lord, you gave commandments to your people as a gift. Teach us to be  obedient to your word and to care for each other as we do your will. Amen. 

HYMN OF THE MONTH [BLUE#330] [GTG #50] 

“Deep in the Shadows of the Past”

1 Deep in the shadows of the past,

far out from settled lands,

some nomads traveled with their God

across the desert sands.

The dawning hope of humankind

by them was sensed and shown:

a promise calling them ahead,

a future yet unknown.

2 While others bowed to changeless gods,

they met a mystery,

invisible, without a name:

“I AM WHAT I WILL BE”;

and by their tents, around their fires

in story, song, and law,

they praised, remembered, handed on

a past that promised more.

3 From Exodus to Pentecost

the promise changed and grew,

while some, remembering the past,

recorded what they knew,

or with their letters and laments,

their prophecy and praise,

recovered, kindled, and expressed

new hope for changing days.

4 For all the writings that survived,

for leaders, long ago,

who sifted, copied, and preserved

the Bible that we know,

give thanks, and find its story yet

our promise, strength, and call,

the model of emerging faith,

alive with hope for all.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG #453] 

“Open Your Ears, O Faithful People (453)”

Open your ears, O faithful people,

open your ears and hear God’s word.

Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,

God has come to you.

God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!

God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord our God, you call us to proclaim your 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 bring liberty for the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. 

Forgive us, Lord. Reconcile us to you by your Spirit, and give us the courage and strength to be reconciled to others; through Jesus Christ. 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 READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 156 or 162] Deut. 5:1-21; 6:4-9

Moses convened all Israel, and said to them:

Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I am addressing to you today; you shall learn them and observe them diligently. The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the fire. (At that time I was standing between the Lord and you to declare to you the words of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

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 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.

Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. For 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, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

Neither shall you commit adultery.

Neither shall you steal.

Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor.

Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife.

Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, or field, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:  “Big Ten” Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH            Heidelberg Catechism: BOC 4.001          

ONE: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

MANY: That I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY You Shall Love the Lord Your God 

by Victoria Davison and Rudy Lupinski

You shall love the Lord your God with

 all your heart and soul and mind and strength:

This is the greatest commandment. (Repeat)

And the second commandment is like it:

 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments

 the whole law is based, and the prophets as well.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!

Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God 

with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.

This is the greatest commandment. (Repeat)

And the second commandment is like it: 

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

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 LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG#519]  “You are My Strength When I Am Weak”    

You are my strength when I am weak; you are the treasure that I seek;

you are my all in all.

When I fall down you pick me up.

When I am dry you fill my cup.

You are my all in all.

Jesus, lamb of God, worthy is your name.

Jesus, lamb of God, worthy is your name.

MINUTE FOR MISSION Peace and Global Witness

ADORATION 

CALL TO WORSHIP    

ONE: We gather from the west to the east, from the south to the north,

MANY: to celebrate the God of peace who accompanies us in our acts of peace.

ONE: This God of peace accompanies us in each and every circumstance around us.

MANY: We praise God’s name! Amen!

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

God of deliverance, you called Moses to be your hands, feet, and voice in a troubled world. Teach us how to work, walk, and speak your word in a troubled world. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [BLUE#330] [GTG #50] 

“Deep in the Shadows of the Past”

1 Deep in the shadows of the past, far out from settled lands,

some nomads traveled with their God across the desert sands.

The dawning hope of humankind by them was sensed and shown:

a promise calling them ahead, a future yet unknown.

2 While others bowed to changeless gods, they met a mystery,

invisible, without a name: “I AM WHAT I WILL BE”;

and by their tents, around their fires in story, song, and law,

they praised, remembered, handed on a past that promised more.

3 From Exodus to Pentecost the promise changed and grew,

while some, remembering the past, recorded what they knew,

or with their letters and laments, their prophecy and praise,

recovered, kindled, and expressed new hope for changing days.

4 For all the writings that survived, for leaders, long ago,

who sifted, copied, and preserved the Bible that we know,

give thanks, and find its story yet our promise, strength, and call,

the model of emerging faith, alive with hope for all.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG #530] “One Bread, One Body”

One bread, one body, one Lord of all

One cup of blessing which we bless

And we, though many, throughout the Earth

We are one body in this one Lord

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord our God, you call us to proclaim your 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 bring liberty for the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. 

Forgive us, Lord. Reconcile us to you by your Spirit, and give us the courage and strength to be reconciled to others; through Jesus Christ. 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 READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  

[Pew Bible OT 47 or 48] Exodus 1:8-14

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, ‘Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.’ Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

MEDITATION:               “Bread of Freedom”                Rev. Aaron Ochart

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible NT 48 or 51]             Mark 14:22-25

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

MEDITATION: “Partaking Together!”               Rev. Susan Lassalle

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Nicene Creed (Eccumenical) 

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 Follow the Drinking Gourd        arr. Victor Johnson

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 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: … Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

MANY: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory…

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.

HYMN [BLUE#563] [GTG#339] “Lift Every Voice and Sing”  

1 Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring,

ring with the harmonies of liberty.

Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies;

let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;

sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

let us march on, till victory is won.

2 Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,

felt in the days when hope unborn had died.

Yet, with a steady beat, have not our weary feet

come to the place for which our parents sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;

we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last

where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

3 God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,

keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;

lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee;

shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand,

true to our God, true to our native land.

PARTING PRAYER 

Gracious God, we offer our thanks, for the whole communion of saint’s witness to this feast, and for the ministry of churches around the world who gather with us today. By this broken bread may we each be restored for the work yet to come. By this shared cup may we each be claimed for the proclamation of your Kindom. At this shared table may we be united as children of your promise, children of your word, dying and made new again, sent boldly together into the world as servants of your peace. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#406] “We Are Standing On Holy Ground”

We are standing on holy ground

And I know there are angels all around 

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence On holy ground

POSTLUDE Lift Every Voice and Sing by J. Rosamond Johnson

*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.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor John Calvin Presbyterian; Rev. Susan Lassalle, Pastor Little Farms UCC Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland, Mike Fortin, Cam and Bri Mayfield, 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