October 28, 2018
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: A Mighty Fortress is Our God Helmut Walcha
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #275 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #616 Our God Is an Awesome God
Call to Worship
One: God is gathering us from many different places. We are all invited.
All: God lifts us up when we stumble and leads us back. God cares for us amid our pain and losses.
One: We are delivered from our fears and saved from trouble. Happy are those who take refuge in a loving God.
All: Our lips pour forth laughter and joyous singing. We join in shouts of praise to God Most High.
One: Taste and see how good God is. Trust in the One who awakens joy in place of tears.
All: We will bless our God in all times and places. Let us exalt God’s name together!
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
All-powerful God, we invoke your presence among us, for we need the knowledge and energy you alone can provide. Your ways are wonderful beyond our understanding. When our strength is spent, our vision is clouded, and our hope is gone, you reach out to us in ways we often fail to discern. We take heart to think that you are calling us to yourself, opening our eyes to see your wonders as if for the first time. We want to be a part of your faithful remnant in a world that too often loses sight of the holy. Be with us, we pray. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
We confess, O God, that our lives have made of you a distant deity. We listen to what others say about you, but we have seldom glimpsed for ourselves who you are. We are dominated by our doubts instead of by our practice of prayer. We are not ready to repent in dust and ashes, but we do ask for mercy as we face up to sins we have not recognized and wrongdoing we have tried to ignore. Instill in us a new appreciation of righteousness, and help us to grow in the way you would have us go. 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
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 34: 1-8 (19-22)
(Page 625 in the Hebrew Scripture in the pew Bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures –
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
(Page 600 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School & Youth Group)
*Hymn: #796 We Come to You for Healing, Lord
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Declare Your Makers Praise Lloyd Larson
*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 10:46-52
(Page 57 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “A Break in the Clouds”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response: #616 (Sung by all) Our God Is an Awesome God who reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love; our God is an awesome God!
*Hymn: #625 O Lord My God
Benediction
Response: #625 (Sung by all) How Great Thou Art! How great thou art!
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 hosts are Clare Rashkoff & Sheryl Knapp.
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:
Sheryl Kennedy for serving as our lay reader
Joe Catania & John Arnold for serving as ushers
Prayer List
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
CALENDAR
Today: 11:00 am Annual Meeting
Monday: 11:30 am Salisbury Duplicate Bridge Club
3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Tuesday: 5 pm SOAR Cooking Class
5:15 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 9 am Staff 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
7 – 10 pm Parish Hall in use
Saturday: 9:30 am – noon Parish Hall in use
Next Sunday: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Pastor Diane will be attending the World Parliament of Religions in Toronto from November 1-8. For Pastoral emergencies, please contact a Deacon.
CALL TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
The 274th Annual Meeting, Part I, of the Congregational Church of Salisbury will be held following the worship service this morning for the purpose of:
- Discussion of the 2019 budget;
- Any other business that needs to come before the congregation.