September 23, 2018
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: Canzona Girolamo Frescobaldi
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #320 The Church of Christ in Every Age
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #391 This Is The Day Argentinian greeting
Call to Worship
One: Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. Happy are those who find delight in God’s law.
All: God is always nearer than our next breath. We gather to become more aware of that presence.
One: Knowledge of God is a delight to the righteous. They seek to grow in wisdom and understanding.
All: There is always more to discover than we know. God is our teacher and helper and judge.
One: Put your trust in God as you prepare to serve. Learn to be peaceable, gentle, and merciful.
All: We seek to do good and not harm all our days. We would open our hands to the poor and needy.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
You watch over us, O God, and show us the way to prosper in life, not so much in things as in relationships that contribute to our wholeness and well-being. Thank you for meeting us here and helping us to deal with our selfish ambition, disorder, and conflicts. We submit ourselves to you for instruction. Help us to be honest with yourselves and with you, voicing our doubts as well as our faith, our hypocrisy along with all that is deeply genuine. Create in us a space for quiet listening and thoughtful meditation.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Forgive us, O God, for our complacent attitudes and self-serving comforts. We do not relish the thought of sacrificing for some larger good we cannot see, for people with whom we find it difficult to identify. We compare ourselves favorably against many who seem less attuned to your purposes than we, forgetting that our true standard is Jesus Christ. We ask you to take from us all the bitterness, envy and anger that stands in the way of your reign. May we ask all of you be for the common good of all your children. 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 (see insert)
Responsive Reading – Psalm 1
(Page 602 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures –
Proverbs 31:10-31
(Page 753 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School & Youth Group)
*Hymn: #727 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant?
Offering of our Gifts
Offertory: Go Out With Joy Hank Beebe
*Doxology: #607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – Mark 9:30-37
(Page 55 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?”
Reverend Ryan Gackenheimer
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response: #469 Lord, Listen to your Children Praying
(sung by all) Lord, listen to your children praying; Lord, send your Spirit in this place. Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
*Hymn: #459 O Word of God Incarnate
Benediction
Response: #70 What Does The Lord Require of You
(sung by all)
Postlude: Recessional March Alexandre Guilmant
(* 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
Many thanks to:
Reverend Ryan Gackenheimer for leading worship
Lorna Edmundson for serving as lay reader
Kathy Mera & Jim Hussey for ushering
Prayer List
Natalie Crain, Dick Taber, Tom Splaine, Jack & Sue Ritchie, Harriet, Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman
Family & friends of Don Cuneo
CALENDAR
Monday: 3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Tuesday: 7pm Sinfonietta Rehearsal
Wednesday: 5:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Sunday: 1 pm CROP Walk Registration
1:30 pm CROP Walk Begins
OPPORTUNITIES
2018 CROP HUNGER WALK
The CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, September 30. Salisbury Congregational Church is once again building a spirited team to walk and/or donate. Cammiel Hussey and Mary O’Neill are co-captains for CROP Walk 2018. Join our team! Walk! Donate! Help our local, national, and global neighbors fight hunger and build self-sufficiency. The CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, September 30. Salisbury Congregational Church is once again building a spirited team to walk and/or donate. Cammiel Hussey and Mary O’Neill are co-captains for CROP Walk 2018. Join our team! Walk! Donate! Help our local, national, and global neighbors fight hunger and build self-sufficiency.