Service of Worship
Prelude – Hani
Shall We Gather at the River
Arr. Joe Utterback
Welcome and Call to Worship
Leader: We worship because the Lord stood by us on difficult days.
People: Even when we weren’t aware and felt alone.
Leader: We worship because the Lord gives strength.
People: Even when we feel so weak.
Leader: We worship because we have been rescued again and again.
People: Even when we are afraid that we have lost.
Leader: Come and worship the God who stands with us in our darkest days and promises to be with us to the end.
People: We will worship in hope, seeking eyes to see and hearts to believe in God with us.
(Derek Weber, Discipleship Ministries)
Opening Hymn — #102 “Now Thank We All Our God”
1. Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
2. O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.
3. All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Now Thank We All Our God
Catherine Winkwörth | Johann Crüger | Martin Rinkart
Public Domain
Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.
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 – Ava and Ian
Light a Candle for Peace
Shelley Murley
© 2009 Shelley Murley | singpeacearoundtheworld.com
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
God of the universe, you were with us at the beginning of our lives, and you will be by our side when we draw our last breath. In between, we struggle through life, too often trying to find our way based on our own wants and desires. In our giving to you this day, may you bless us so that we might better keep our eyes focused on you, that one day we might be able to echo your servant Paul as he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” We pray this in the name of Jesus who loved us even to the cross! Amen.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18)
Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26 (NRSV)
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.
Congregational Choral Anthem — #298 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Hamburg)
Isaac Watts | Lowell Mason
Public Domain
Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Living Out What You Believe”
Closing Hymn — #577 “God of Grace and God of Glory” (v. 1, 3, 4)
1. God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
3. Cure thy children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
4. Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the search for thy salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.
God of Grace and God of Glory
Harry Emerson Fosdick | John Hughes
Public Domain
Benediction
Postlude – Hani
Fanfare on “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Arr. Don Phillips
© 1980 Lifeway Christian Resources
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420
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