November 4, 2018
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: Fanfare in C Major “Fanfare” J.S. Bach
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #804Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #203Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
Call to Worship
One: Listen and hear, all you people of the book! There is one God who created all time and space.
All: Our hope is in God who made heaven and earth. All creatures of the land and sea come from God.
One: You shall love God with all your heart and soul. You shall honor God with all your mind and strength.
All: We will praise God as long as we live. We will sing of God’s glory all through our lives.
One: A second commandment is like the first:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
All: God watches over strangers and widows and orphans. We honor God by honoring these, our sisters and brothers.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Reigning God, we have viewed the work of your hands. Where there is justice for the oppressed, we sense your presence. Where the hungry are fed, we know the providers are working with you. You set prisoners free and open the eyes of the blind. You lift up those who are bowed down and sustain the righteous with your love. We worship a God who is living and active. We give thanks that you call us to join the action, to love you and one another more than rituals of our religion or the satisfactions of our successes. Focus on us now on all that is worthy of our praise. Amen.
Call to Confession
God alone deserves our trust and loyalty. Yet we have not trusted, and our faithfulness is in question. This time of confession offers the opportunity to unburden our conscience, to experience forgiveness, and to renew our covenant with the Eternal One.
Prayer of Confession
We have not kept faith with you, righteous God. There are so many distractions that occupy our time! There are so many groups to claim your loyalty. There are so many activities that bid for our attention. Even the church involves us in busyness that keeps us from matters of greater importance. In these moments, we seek to know you and to be known by you, that in an honest exchange our relationship with you and with the people around us might be strengthened. In your name, joining with you, we seek justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, and healing for all. Hear now our silent confessions as we turn to you, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
We can count on God’s active presence when all other hope is gone. Let us respond in gratitude to the One who deals kindly with us and whose will for us is love and joy and peace. Happy are those whose help and whose hope is in the one true God, who reigns for all generations and beyond time.
Gloria Patri:#581 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, amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 146
(Page 715 in the Hebrew Scripture in the pew Bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Ruth 1:1-18
(Page 299 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
*Hymn: #829My Faith Looks Up to Thee (v.1+2)
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
Gracious God, you have once again shown us your love by bringing us to this meal. We go from this table, renewed in faith, renewed in courage, and strengthened by your presence. Thank you for loving us so tenderly. Thank you for challenging us to know you better and to receive you more fully. It is in Christ’s name that we pray. Amen.
*Hymn: #829My Faith Looks Up to Thee (v.3+4)
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Our energies and our resources are claimed by whatever is truly most important to us. If God is at the center of our lives, that will be apparent in what we give. From God we have received love so amazing that a lifetime of thanks is inadequate response. The morning offering will now be received.
Anthem: O Sing Unto the Lord Henry Purcell
*Doxology:#607 Praise Godfrom whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more;
praise Triune Godwhom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Receive from us, O God, the best we have to give. All we have comes from you. We return a portion with joy to accomplish the work we intend to do together in your name. We bring ourselves as well, to be blessed by you, so that while we are apart our words and deeds will continue to be a significant offering. May our lives praise you! It is in Christ’s name that we pray. Amen.
Gospel Reading– Mark 12:28-34
(Page 60 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon Jason Larson
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Response:#203 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
*Hymn:#806 I’ll Praise My Maker
Benediction
Go forth, following as the Holy Spirit leads you, moving in love and compassion, pursuing justice and mercy, and trusting in the God of peace. For the Source of all life and love is as close as your very breath. Breathe deeply. May the blessings of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be upon you this day and forevermore. Amen.
Response:#203 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
Postlude: Fugue in G Major “Jig” J.S. Bach
(* 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 our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s host is Cynthia LaPier.
Please see an usher if:
You would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
A very special thank you to Jason T. Larson MLS, PhDInstructor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion as well as the Chaplain at Hotchkiss School for leading worship this morning.
Many thanks to:
Lorna Edmundson for serving as our lay reader
Sara Morrison & Sal Accardo for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Marty Sorensen, Tristan Sorensen, Franny Yerks, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Joan & Richard Good, Fred Palmer, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Jack & Sue Ritchie, Laura Hawks, Harriet, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, the family of Scott Miller.
CALENDAR
Today: 11:15 am Prayer Retreat with Laura Hawks ~ Meeting House
11:30 am Trustees’ Meeting
Monday: 11:30 am Salisbury Duplicate Bridge Club
3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Tuesday: 5:15 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 9 am Music Committee Meeting
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Pastor Diane will be attending the World Parliament of Religions in Toronto from November 1-8. For Pastoral emergencies, please contact a Deacon.