What and Whom to Fear

October 22, 2023
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

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Service of Worship

’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
William J. Kirkpatrick
Public Domain

Leader: We gather today to remember and proclaim that we are God’s people.
People: We are God’s people! God’s presence is among us!
Leader: Like Moses, we seek an encounter with God’s goodness. 
People: God, show us your goodness that we may glorify you in all that we do.
Leader: God’s goodness passes by us every day in the gracious gifts of creation and in the faces of our neighbors.
People: God, help us notice your goodness in everything and everyone that we meet.
Leader: When we notice God’s goodness all around us, we recognize this truth: all things are God’s.
People: Let us give to God the things that are God’s! Amen.

(Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries)

Opening Hymn — #64 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” (v. 1, 3, 4)

1. Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
our songs shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons,
blessed Trinity!

3. Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man
thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy;
there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in
love and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name,
in earth and sky and seas.
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons
blessed Trinity.

Holy Holy Holy (Nicaea)
John Bacchus Dykes, Reginald Heber
Public Domain

Pastor’s Time With the Children – Rev. Jacob Lee

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 – P.A.L.A. Singers

Glory To His Name
Elisha A. Hoffman | John Stockton | Arr. Larry Mayfield
This arrangement is not covered by copyright licensing and cannot be streamed.

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 God, source of every good gift: the tithes and offerings we bring to you are simply a token of our desire to walk more closely beside you. We give, knowing that “rendering unto you what is yours” would mean leaving everything at your altar – all we have and all we are. We are not there yet, but with your help, we are on the road to getting there. Bless what we give; may it speak words of compassion, mercy, and love as it empowers your mission and ministry. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, whose light we seek to follow. Amen.

(Matthew 22:15-22)

Scripture Readings — Matthew 10:26-33 (NRSV)

26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.a 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Choral Anthem — Chancel Choir

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“What and Whom to Fear”

Closing Hymn — #700 “Abide with Me” (v. 1, 3, 4, 5)

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

3. I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

4. I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

5. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Abide With Me (Eventide)
Henry Francis Lyte | William Henry Monk
Public Domain

Benediction

Postlude – Hani

March of Triumph Op. 68
Julius Fučík
Public Domain