September 3, 2017
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude: Elevation François Couperin Le Grand
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #265 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: I Come with Joy
Call to Worship
One: We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High
All: Seek God here.
One: We who come to be inspired and changed
All: Seek God’s Spirit here.
One: We who know how little we know
All: Seek God’s Word here.
Opening Prayer (in unison)
Holy One, you have invited us to remove our shoes and be present in your Holy Ground. Help us to know this as a sacred space and to move beyond ourselves to offer hope to the lost, relief to the broken, and love to all your creation. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Gentle God, call us from our places of comfort to reach beyond the familiar and recognize where we have fallen short of who you would have us be. Help us name the places we have failed you, one another, ourselves, and creation. Take from us our sin and beckon us into new beginnings of life complete in you. Move us from complacency, through compassion, to bold action. May we place our trust in you to no longer live in the place of broken relationship between creator and created but move into the fullness of life for which you so desperately long. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of silent prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
*Gloria Patri: 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.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
(Page 683 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Exodus 3:1-15
(Page 62 HS in the pew bible)
*Hymn: #316 Where Charity and Love Prevail
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
Loving Spirit, we give thanks for enlivening us through this meal. Help us to be embolden by the grace and joy offered in this meal that we might be your implements of compassion, justice, forgiveness, and healing in the world. Amen.
*Hymn: #316 Where Charity and Love Prevail
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: In Remembrance Buryl Red
*Doxology: 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
Epistle Reading – Romans 12:9-21
(Page 197 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Loving from the Center of Holy Ground”
Reverend Ryan Gackenheimer
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer (debts)
Choral Response: I Come with Christians Far and Near
* Hymn: #724 O Jesus, I Have Promised
Benediction
Response: Together Met, Together Bound
Postlude: Chaconne Louis Couperin
(* Please stand if able.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign the guestbook at the front door and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Our host today is the Hospitality Committee.
Please see an usher if you would like to use a hearing device
There is no Nursery Care for young children, Sunday School or Youth Discussion today.
Many thanks to:
Reverend Ryan Gackenheimer for leading worship
Betsy Beck for serving as lay reader
Kathy Mera for serving as an usher
Singers who sang in Summer Choir
Pastor Diane is on vacation and will be returning on Wednesday, September 6th. If there is a pastoral emergency,
please contact Deacon Theresa Carroll at 860-671-9672.
Prayer List
Gail Weigel, Paula, Harriet, Helen & those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 2 pm Worship at Noble
Monday: Office Closed ~ Labor Day
Wednesday: 6 pm Pizza party with Norfolk Choir
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday 9:15 am Deacon’s Breakfast &
Sunday School Registration
11:30 am Trustees Meeting
OPPORTUNITIES
DEACONS’ BREAKFAST/SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
The first day of Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 10th. Registration and the Deacons’ Breakfast will begin at 9:15 am. New families are welcome! For more information please call the church office: 860-435-2442.
WOMEN’S/MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
The Women’s Bible Study group will resume meeting on Thursday, September 14th at 4:30 pm. All women are welcome to attend! No previous experience necessary.
Men’s Bible Study group will resume meeting Friday, September 15th at 7:45 am. The group will be studying, “The Parables of Jesus”. All men are welcome to join!
A new prayer list has been started. Please contact the office if you would like to continue to include names previously submitted. Names may be added at any time by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing [email protected].