Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
August 11, 2019
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
Prelude: God Be In My Head Henry Walford Davies
Announcements | Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Introit: Adoro Te Devote St. Thomas Aquinas
“Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore.”
Jolanta Lorenc, mezzo-soprano
Call to Worship
ONE: We are people who have heard God’s call to follow where God leads us.
MANY: By faith we can obey, even when asked to walk into an unknown future.
We are seekers who have heard God’s challenge to tell the story of grace to others.
By faith we have the ability to share God’s good news.
We are God’s children who have heard God’s invitation to serve the creation and creatures in holy love.
By faith we will be filled and empowered with the grace of Christ!
Unison Prayer of Invocation
For the abundance we have received from your hand, we are grateful, O God. You have fashioned our hearts, placed us in a world of bounty and beauty, and called us to live in shalom. Now, together, we listen again for your Word. Teach us what we need to know in order to live faithfully in this troubled world. Lead us beyond the routines of worship to a genuine, life-changing encounter with you. Amen.
✠ Hymn: #307 God of Grace and God of Glory CWM RHONDDA
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we have shaped our own standards and values more often than we seek to know your will. We against the self-emptying, extravagantly-welcoming, neighbor-loving agenda of your realm. Lead us, oh God, into acts of compassion, that our attitudes may be reshaped and a right relationship with you restored.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
✠ Gloria #583 GLORIA (Taizé)
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Psalter: Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
ONE: The Mighty One, the Ruler of Creation speaks,
MANY: And summons the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of the abode of holiness,
And the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
Our God comes forth,
and does not keep silence.
Devouring fire advances before the Most High,
with a mighty tempest all around.
The Holy One calls to the heavens above and to the earth,
that God may call the people to account:
“Gather to Me My faithful ones,
Who made a covenant with Me by sharing bread!”
The heavens declare God’s faithfulness and power; God is justice.
“Hear, O My people: I will speak,
I will testify against you. I am God, your God.
I do not rebuke you for the animals you offer to Me,
or your burnt offerings which are continually before Me.
But understand this: if you who forget Who God is, the madness of your own actions will tear you apart,
And there will be no one to deliver you.
Those who bring gratitude and faithfulness as their offering honor Me;
To those who walk in My way
I will show the power of the Almighty’s saving presence,
And the magnitude of the Holy One’s unwavering love.”
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
(Pg. 273 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: O Rest in the Lord Felix Mendelssohn
Jolanta Lorenc, mezzo-soprano
✠ Doxology: #609 LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
✠ Unison Prayer of Dedication
Thank you, God, for welcoming us into your caring realm, where we claim the needs of others as our own. We are finding a homeland in service to you; we are grateful. May our offerings be an outpouring of thanksgiving for you who calls us into love of neighbor and fullness of life! Your promises are sure and your faithfulness is to all generations: Amen and Amen.
✠ Hymn: #350 Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
KEEP YOUR LAMPS
Charlie Noyes, tenor, verse 1
Congregation, verses 2 – 4
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:32-40
(Pg. 91 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: Sleeping Like Babies Pastor John Nelson
Pastoral Prayer| Silent Prayer | Lord’s Prayer (debts)
✠ Hymn: #353 My Hope is Built SOLID ROCK
Benediction
Response #70 What Does the Lord Require of You? MOON
Postlude: March from Scipio G.F. Handel
(✠ The congregation may stand.)
Welcome Statement
We seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves. This Church is Open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical and mental ability or sexual orientation. We Affirm each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As an Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice, and discrimination against any person.
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 see an usher if you would like to use a hearing device. Join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. Today’s host is the Board of Trustees.
Many thanks to:
Lorna Edmundson for serving as our lay reader; Patricia Palmer and Stephanie Tierney for serving as ushers; Jolanta Lorenc and Charlie Noyes for bringing special musical gifts this morning.
Prayer List
Peter Kuhbach, Sherrell Andrews, Dale Sapp, Sean Clegg, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber, Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Pauline, Sonya’s mother.
With Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ, we pray for the people of Guatemala.
Thanksgiving for the life of those who have died, and God’s tender mercy on family and friends who are grieving:
Annette Hunt • Marty Finkle • John Hazard • Ben Paley
Praise for the wedding of Grace and Simon
Calendar
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Wednesday: 9 am Staff Meeting
11 am Worship at Noble Horizons
Thursday: 10 am Fall Festival Meeting
4 pm Parish Hall in use
Ministry Opportunities
CROP WALK
This year’s CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Sunday, 29 September.
Please mark your calendars – and if you have interest in participating, please contact Pastor John.
Help end hunger and poverty one step at a time!