Helpless

September 12, 2021
Pastor Stacy Dickson
Worship

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Service of Worship

Piano Sonata No. 3, op.58 III. Largo excerpt
FR. Chopin
Public Domain

Opening Prayer
In a world that cries out, “Fear me!”
We will listen to Jesus’ words,
“Don’t be afraid!”

In a world that wants us to hate the other…
We will live Jesus’ call to,
“Love God.
Love your neighbor, as you love yourself.”

In a world that radicalizes…
We, too, will be radical.
Radical with our hospitality.
Radical with our hope.
Radical with our love.

Then come to this place,
ready to be who we are called to be.
Let us gather together
and worship God. Amen.

Opening Hymn — #454 Open My Eyes That I May See

1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.

Refrain
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.

Refrain

3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with Thy children thus to share.

Refrain

Open My Eyes That I May See (Open My Eyes)
Clara H. Fiske Scott
Public Domain

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (NRSV)

1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men in the direction of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 The men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’” Then David went and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak. 5 Afterward David was stricken to the heart because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’S anointed, to raise my hand against him; for he is the LORD’S anointed.” 7 So David scolded his men severely and did not permit them to attack Saul. Then Saul got up and left the cave, and went on his way.

Children’s Time with Ms. Becky

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer
We may not be able to confront queens,
or challenge presidents;
We may not have the capacity to divert resources,
or uplift communities;
We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war,
or the words to negotiate peace between armies;
But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something.

And so, we pray that you would inspire us
to commit to and act on
the small difference we can make:
May we bring peace
through small acts of gentleness
and reconciliation;
May we bring wealth
through small contributions
and collaborations;
May we bring safety
through small acts of consideration
and acceptance;
May we bring wholeness
through small acts of care
and service.

And in the small ways, O God,
may our small difference make a big contribution
to your saving work in our 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 — Marshall

Make Me A Channel of Your Peace
Sebastian Temple
© 2000 OCP
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # M-401420

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

Loving God, Jesus taught us “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We offer our gifts to you knowing they are part of our treasure, and we do so with the hope that our hearts, our actions, and the words of our tongues will likewise follow. We acknowledge that the tongues that praise you are often the ones that hurt you, when we use them to diminish or discount one of your precious children. Guide our hearts, minds, and tongues to the words that bring you joy. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
Helpless

Closing Hymn — #664 Sent Forth By God’s Blessing

1. Sent forth by God’s blessing,
our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.

The service is ended,
O now be extended
the fruits of our worship in all who believe.

The seed of the teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.

God’s grace did invite us,
and love shall unite us
to work for God’s kingdom and answer the call.

2. With praise and thanksgiving
to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.

Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.

With your grace you feed us,
with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living
with praise and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ and that name which we bear.

Sent Forth By God’s Blessing (The Ash Grove)
Omer Westendorf
© Words: 1964 World Library Publications
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Benediction

May God,
who comes to us
in the things of this world,
bless your eyes
and be in your seeing.

May Christ,
who looks upon you
with deepest love,
bless your eyes
and widen your gaze.

May the Spirit,
who perceives what is
and what may yet be,
bless your eyes
and sharpen your vision.

May the Sacred Three
bless your eyes
and cause you to see. Amen.

Postlude – Megumi

Italian Concerto, BWV 971, II. Andante
J.S. Bach
Public Domain