SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 14th, 2025 Ten Thirty in the morning
Pulpit Supply: The Rev. Martha J. Robson
Liturgist: Bill Bottomley
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
PRELUDE Prelude III by George Gershwin
PROCESSIONAL HYMN [Blue#][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 they’ve done. Christ insists they all are welcome.
There is room for everyone.
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 different 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.
WORDS OF WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Luke 15:9-10
ONE: Rejoice with me! The lost are found,
MANY: There is joy in the presence of God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy Sovereign,
You call your church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you. Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN [Blue#370][GTG#442] “Just As I Am”
1 Just as I am, without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddest me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
2 Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
3 Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
4 Just as I am, thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;
REPENTANCE
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God,
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and we have refused to hear the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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 1 Timothy 1:12-17
2nd SCRIPTURE Luke 15:1-10
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
RESPONSE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION
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#479] [GTG#619] “Praise My Soul, the God of Heaven”
1 Praise, my soul, the God of heaven; glad of heart your carols raise; ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who, like me, should sing God’s praise?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the Maker all your days!
2 Praise God for the grace and favor shown our forebears in distress; God is still the same forever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Sing our Maker’s faithfulness!
3 Like a loving parent caring, God knows well our feeble frame,
gladly all our burdens bearing,
still to countless years the same.
Alleluia! Alleluia! All within me, praise God’s name!
4 Angels, teach us adoration; you behold God face to face.
Sun and moon and all creation, dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace!
PARTING PRAYER
Good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me again to your fold.
Smile upon me with your favor, that I may dwell in your house
all the days of my life, and praise your name forever. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE [Blue#372][GTG#729] “Lord I Want to Be a Christian”
1 Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, (In my heart,) in my heart (in my heart,)
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
POSTLUDE “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” – Elder Cindy Freudenthal, organ & Randy MC, piano
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
*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
Randy Martono-Chai – Music Director
Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant
Lauren Crisler – Playschool Director
Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.
For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org
or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on Facebook and Instagram.