Service of Worship
Prelude – Hani
Aria in F Major
G.F. Handel
© Public Domain
Welcome and Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Come to hear the Word.
Come to do the Word.
Come to experience Comfort.
Come to experience Challenge.
Come to find Cost.
Come to find Joy.
Come to find Humanity.
Come to find Community.
Come to find Church.
Come to find God.
Opening Hymn — #391 O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice
1. O happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee my Saviour and my God
Well may this glowing heart rejoice
And tell its raptures all abroad
Refrain
O happy day O happy day
When Jesus washed my sins away
He taught me how to watch and pray
And live rejoicing every day
Hallelujah
O happy day O happy day
When Jesus washed my sins away
2. Tis done the great transaction’s done
I am my Lord’s and He is mine
He drew me and I followed on
Charmed to confess the voice divine
Refrain
3. Now rest my long divided heart
Fixed on this blissful centre rest
Nor ever from my Lord depart
With Him of every good possessed
Refrain
4. O happy bond that seals my vows
To Him who merits all my love
Let cheerful anthems fill His house
While to that sacred shrine I move
Refrain
5. High heaven that heard the solemn vow
That vow renewed shall daily hear
Till in life’s latest hour I bow
And bless in death a bond so dear
Refrain
O Happy Day (Happy Day)
Edward F Rimbault | Philip Doddridge
© Public Domain
Scripture Reading – James 1:17-27 (NRSV)
17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Special Music – Antone
Jesus, Font of Consolation
J.S. Bach
© Public Domain
Joys and Concerns — Pastoral Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Holy and Gracious God,
we give you thanks for family, friends, life, love—
for all the blessings (name blessings and thanksgivings)
you have bestowed upon us.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of our Mothers and Fathers,
your desire for us leads the way,
may we have the ears to hear the cries of this world –
responding with Your hope.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Compassionate One,
fill us with your love
that we may see deeply into all the needs around us,
(name the hurts, needs, and hope you are carrying.)
Help us to care with Your heart.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
May Your love, Your grace, Your compassion, Your mercy,
carry us away, this day
and lead us with love
to be Your hands and heart in the world.
Amen.
Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.
Offertory – Mason
My Lord, What a Mornin’
H.T. Burleigh
© Public Domain
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain
Offertory Prayer
Holy Lord, maker of us all,
you call us to love our neighbors as ourselves
and teach us that faith without works is dead.
Open us to the opportunities for ministry that lie before us,
where faith and words and the need of our neighbor
come together in name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
Part of the Neighborhood
Closing Hymn — #555 Forward Through the Ages
1. Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine;
gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord,
manifold the service, one the sure reward.
Refrain
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
2. Wider grows the kingdom, reign of love and light;
for it we must labor, till our faith is sight.
Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified,
poets sung its glory, heroes for it died.
Refrain
3. Not alone we conquer, not alone we fall;
in each loss or triumph lose or triumph all.
Bound by God’s far purpose in one living whole,
move we on together to the shining goal.
Refrain
Forward Through the Ages
Fredrick Lucian Hosmer | Arthur S. Sullivan
© Public Domain
Introduction to Midori as Music Coordinator
A Word from Midori
Benediction
Go now, and embrace the hope to which God has called us.
Recognize Christ in friend and stranger,
and as Christ has been gracious to you,
so be gracious to those in need.
And may God give you a place of rest on rich pasture;
May Christ Jesus be the shepherd king who binds your wounds;
And may the Holy Spirit give you wisdom
…….and reveal to you the fullness of the one who fills all in all.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
……..In the name of Christ. Amen.
Postlude – Hani
March in F Major
Alex Guilmant
© Public Domain