Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Gracious God, you have made all of the peoples of the earth for your glory. You invite us to serve you in freedom and in peace. Give to the people of the world nation a zeal for justice and the strength for forbearance, that we may use any liberty we have in accordance with your gracious will. We pray for this on a day of celebration, a day of hope. We pray for this in the name of the one who welcomes all to be free indeed. Inspire us to live and worship in your freedom and for the sake of your work in our world. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Jesus Messiah     Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves  

Call To Worship 2

ONE      In a world that cries out, “Fear me!”

ALL: We will listen to Jesus' words, Don't be afraid!”

ONE: In a world that wants us to hate the other…

ALL: We will live Jesus' call to, “Love God. Love your neighbor, as you love yourself.”

ONE: In a world that radicalizes…

ALL: We, too, will be radical. Radical with our hospitality. Radical with our hope. Radical with our love.

ONE: Then come to this place, ready to be who we are called to be.

ALL: Let us gather together and worship God.

Hymn 340   This is My Song

Affirmation of Faith 3

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Your Grace Is Enough     Matt Maher

Sermon    "Platinum"     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 286     Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Fanfare for the Common Man     Aaron Copland

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.

Preparation of the Table

ONE: The Lord be with you

ALL: And also with you

ONE: Lift up your hearts

ALL: We lift them up to the Lord

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 44    Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Book of Common Prayer

2 Richard Bott, Sharing Liturgy

3 Confession of Faith, Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, 2000 #148 (adapted)

4 Rev. Bob Gibson for the London Conference of the United Church of Canada

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Lord, the eyes of all look to You in hope; and You give them what they need. You open Your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled - to eat of the Bread of Life, to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live. May the time we spend together in Your presence nourish our hearts and minds; may it strengthen our relationship with You, and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples. For You alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Wade in the Water     Traditional Spiritual, arr. Chris Nole

Call To Worship 2

ONE: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

ALL: All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of your glory and tell of your justice, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

ONE: Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.

ALL: The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. Let us worship God!

Hymn 363   Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Affirmation of Faith 3

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Heard the Voice of Jesus Say     Ralph Vaughan Williams, text by Horatius Bonar

Sermon   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 183     Come to Me, O Weary Traveler

Baptism of Elaine Tennant

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Nothing But the Blood of Jesus     Robert Lowry, arr. Barny

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 490    Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

2 Psalm 145:8-14

3 Confession of Faith, Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, 2000 #148 (adapted)

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

O God, we gather together in your presence with expectation, hungry for an encounter with you, eager to hear your word. Open our eyes and ears to the presence of your Holy Spirit. May the seeds of your word scattered among us this morning fall on fertile soil. May they take root in our hearts and lives, and produce an abundant harvest of good words and deeds. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our teacher and our Lord. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Open the Eyes of My Heart     Paul Baloche

Call To Worship  (Psalm 145:8-14)

ONE: God of life and love

ALL: We rejoice in your abundant gifts

ONE: God of all peoples and all places

ALL: We celebrate your generosity and grace

ONE: God of the earth and the heavens

ALL: We praise you for your provision

ONE: You visit the earth and water it

ALL: Softening it with showers and blessing its growth

ONE: You make springs gush forth in the valleys

ALL: From your lofty abode you water the mountains

ONE: God of life and love

ALL: We bless your holy name.

Hymn 32   I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Affirmation of Faith 2

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13

                  Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Refiner's Fire     Brian Doerksen

Sermon   "The Deeper the Better"     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 171     A Sower Came from Ancient Hills

Invitation to the Offering 3

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     The Seeds of Love     English Folk Song

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 79    Light Dawns on a Weary World

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

2 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, Article 31, 33, ©1987, CRC Publications, Grand Rapids MI

3 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Lord, the eyes of all look to you in hope; and you give them what they need. You open your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. We, too, turn to you again, longing to be filled-to eat of the bread of life, to drink from your life-giving streams, to taste your goodness and live. May the time we spend together in your presence nourish our hearts and minds; may it strengthen our relationship with you, and renew our commitment to live in this world as your faithful disciples. For you alone are God, the source and sustainer of life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Come! Live in the Light!     Unknown

Call To Worship

ALL: We worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives. We need not look up to find God, we need only to look around: within ourselves, beyond ourselves, into the eyes of another. We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God, we need only listen to the music of life, the words of children, the questions of the curious, the rhythm of a heartbeat. We worship the God who inhabits our world and who indwells our lives. Let us worship God together!

Hymn 531   Seed, Scattered and Sown

Affirmation of Faith 2

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Speak, Lord     Marienne Uszler

Sermon  "Cohabitation"   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 714   God of the Fertile Fields

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     The Seeds of Love     English Folk Song

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 36    For the Fruit of All Creation

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

2 Presbyterian Church USA

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists. The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn. The Spirit's stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community. Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship. In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect your love and your hope.

Welcome

Introit     Meet With Me     Lamont Hiebert

Call To Worship 2

ONE: We come to worship this morning from different places.

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: We come to worship this morning for different reasons.

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: We experience the presence of the Spirit in different ways.

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: We hear Jesus' words with different ears.

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: “Deny yourselves.”

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: “Take up your cross.”

ALL: O God, do not be far from us.

ONE: “Follow me.”

ALL: O God, we thank you for drawing near to us in this place, in our lives. Let us worship God!

Hymn 450   Be Thou My Vision

Affirmation of Faith 3

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    The Call     Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sermon  "There's More" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 292   As the Wind Song

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     The Seeds of Love     English Folk Song

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

ONE: We may not be able to confront queens, or challenge presidents; We may not have the capacity to divert resources, or uplift communities; We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war, or the words to negotiate peace between armies; But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something. And so, we pray that you would inspire us to commit to and act on the small difference we can make: May we bring peace through small acts of gentleness and reconciliation; May we bring wealth through small contributions and collaborations; May we bring safety through small acts of consideration and acceptance; May we bring wholeness through small acts of care and service. And in the small ways, O God, may our small difference make a big contribution to your saving work in our world. 5

Hear the prayers we have spoken and the prayers of our hearts. Hear us now as we pray the prayer that your Son taught us to pray, in whatever words or language or tradition brings us closest to you. Hear us pray…

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 830    Jesus, Priceless Treasure

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 The Minor Keys

2 Joanna Harader, Spacious Faith

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, CRC Publications

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

5 John van de Laar

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Lord, the eyes of all look to you in hope; and you give them what they need. You open your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. We, too, turn to you again, longing to be filled - to eat of the bread of life, to drink from your life-giving streams, to taste your goodness and live. May the time we spend together in your presence nourish our hearts and minds; may it strengthen our relationship with you, and renew our commitment to live in this world as your faithful disciples. For you alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Take My Life     Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio

Call To Worship 2

Only the hungry search for bread. Only the thirsty look for water. This is a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit. Only those who ache for meaning will pursue it. Only those who yearn for a deeper life will seek it. This is a place for those who ache and yearn for something more. So let us come here today with our hunger and thirst, our unsatisfied longings, our heart-felt yearnings, and let the God of life satisfy our souls. Let us worship God!

Hymn 523  You Satisfy the Hungry Heart  

Affirmation of Faith 3

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Hungry     Kathryn Scott

Sermon   "If You Have Been Fed" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 498   Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken  

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Before Dawn     Ola Gjeilo

Prayer of Dedication 1

Merciful God, the gifts we bring are so small in comparison to the vast needs in our world - nowhere near enough to save the thousands dying of starvation all around the world, or even to meet the needs of the hungry and homeless in our city. Yet we have brought what we can. As You once multiplied the five small loaves and two fish, multiply these gifts as well, so that, once again, the hungry may receive all they need, and more. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other. 5

Preparation of the Table

ONE: The Lord be with you

ALL: And also with you

ONE: Lift up your hearts

ALL: We lift them up to the Lord

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 546  Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing  

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude

Announcements

1 Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

2 Ann Siddall Stillpoint Spirituality Centre

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, CRC Publications

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

5 Rev. Bob Gibson for the London Conference of the United Church of Canada

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

So often, we expect life to wow and dazzle us. But God, you often come in the still, the small, and the meek. So when we're overloaded by constant stimulus and marketing...we pray that you'd settle us with the unforced rhythms of grace. When our hearts are dried up by apathy and cynicism...we pray that you would open up the wellspring of your mercy. God, we are seeking you in hopeful expectation. You are trustworthy and good. For this, we give you thanks. Amen

Welcome

Introit     But the Lord is Mindful    Felix Mendelssohn

Call To Worship 2

Gracious God, we gather once again to offer you praise and thanksgiving for your unfailing love and faithfulness, shown most clearly through your son, Jesus Christ. Grant us grace to worship you in spirit and in truth. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open our eyes to recognize you here among us. Give us courage to step out in faith to meet you, and confidence to follow where you lead. For you are our God, and we are your people, called by your name. Let us worship God!

Hymn 353  My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less  

Affirmation of Faith 3

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Kings 19:9-18

                  Matthew 14:22-33

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Prelude X:The Sunken Cathedral     Claude Debussy

Sermon   "Confession"   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 834   Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.

As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Swan Lake: Duet for Guitar and Piano     Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 463  How Firm a Foundation  

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 The Minor Key  

2 Opening Prayer for Worship

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, CRC Publications

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

With open arms you welcome all who call on your name - who acknowledge you as Lord, and look to you in faith. No one stands outside the circle of your mercy and love. And so we come to offer you our worship - to declare that you are our God, and that we are your people, called and chosen by you from the very beginning. Through the presence of your Holy Spirit open our eyes to see you here; open our minds to receive your truth, and our mouths to speak and sing your praise. For you alone are God - worthy of all praise and worship, now and to the end of time. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     In the Secret      Andy Park

Call To Worship 2

Come and worship, all you who love and serve the Lord - outsiders and insiders, old-timers and new-comers, the young, old and the in-between. Come as you are, for this is God's house—a house of prayer for all people, and God welcomes each one who comes.

Hymn 385  All People That on Earth Do Dwell

Affirmation of Faith 3

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem        I  Will Follow     Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Ruben Morgan

Sermon   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 318   In Christ There is No East or West

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Summer      Catherine Rollin

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 796  We Come to You for Healing

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Prayer for Unity

2 Call to Worship

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, CRC Publications

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Mighty God, who speaks a word of peace to calm our troubled sea; caring God, who nudges us away from fear and toward faith; ever-present God, who fills us with awe while at the same time raising many questions; open our eyes to see you today, prepare our hearts for the surprise of joy that lies ahead, just as you strengthen our hearts for the challenges that lie ahead. Open our ears this hour to hear the word you speak. This we pray, In Jesus' name. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Til It's Gone     JT Nero

Call To Worship 2

Lord God, maker of heaven and earth, we gather together in your name. We come as living sacrifices, to offer you our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Come among us, living Lord. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and minds so that we may recognize your presence, hear your voice, know your will, and walk in your way. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. Amen.

Hymn 2  Come, Thou Almighty King

Affirmation of Faith 3

Jesus stays with us in the spirit, who renews our hearts, moves us to faith, leads us in the truth, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. The spirit's gifts are here to stay in rich variety-fitting responses to timely needs. We thankfully see each other as gifted members of the fellowship which delights in the creative spirit's work. Jesus gives more than enough to each believer for God's praise and our neighbor's welfare.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Victory in Jesus     Eugene M. Bartlett

Sermon   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 718   Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     What A Friend We Have in Jesus     J. Scriven and C. Converse

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 81  Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren

2 Re:worship blog (no longer on line)

3 Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, CRC Publications

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

4 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

You have broken into our lives, O God, with the recreation of this new day. You have breathed new life into our sleeping souls and have put a song in our hearts. So we come today to offer you our thanks and praise. Pour down the blessings of your Spirit upon each one here this morning, that we may perceive your nearness once more. This we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Here I Am to Worship     Tim Hughes

Call To Worship 1

ONE: Church, as we gather in the welcome of God's love, as we gather in the joy of our unity in Christ, as we gather in the power of the Spirit, let us listen for the voice of God!

ALL: Let us worship God, who has spoken and still speaks to those who attend to the roar or the whisper of the Holy One.  Let us worship God together.

Hymn 13  The Mighty God with Power Speaks

Affirmation of Faith 2

We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus to reconcile and to make all things new. We trust in God, who calls us to be the church; to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

                  Romans 12:9-21

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Blessed Be Your Name     Matt Redman and Beth Redmen

Sermon   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 727   Will You Let Me Be Your Servant

Invitation to the Offering 3

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     He Leadeth Me     William Bradbury, arr. Robertson

Prayer of Dedication 4

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion 5

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.

Preparation of the Table

ONE: The Lord be with you

ALL: And also with you

ONE: Lift up your hearts

ALL: We lift them up to the Lord

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 826   Lift High the Cross

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 “Touch of Holiness,” Ruth C. Duck, Maren C. Tirabassi ed.

2 “Words for Worship,” Arlene M. Mark

3 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

4 Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

5 prepared by Rev. Bob Gibson London Conference of the United Church of Canada

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

O God, be present with us always; dwell within our hearts.  With your light and your Spirit, guide our souls, our thoughts, and all our actions, that we may teach your Word, that your healing power may be in us and in your church universal. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Word of God Speak     Bart Millard and Pete Kipley

Call To Worship 1

ONE: Lord, we come before you, not alone; but in the company of one another.

ALL: We share our happiness with each other, and it becomes greater.

ONE: We share our troubles with each other, and they become smaller.

ALL: We share one another's griefs and burdens, and their weight becomes possible to bear.

ONE: May we never be too mean to give, nor too proud to receive.

ALL: For in giving and receiving, we learn to love and be loved; we encounter the meaning of life, the mystery of existence – and discover you. We come to worship you, O God, together. Amen.

Hymn 394  Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Affirmation of Faith 1

We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus to reconcile and to make all things new. We trust in God, who calls us to be the church; to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Overwhelmed     Michael Weaver and Phil Wickham

Sermon   "Keep at It"   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 366   Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Invitation to the Offering 1

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     The Friendship Theme     Georges Delarue

Prayer of Dedication 2

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 316   Where Charity and Love Prevail

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 “Words for Worship,” Arlene M. Mark

2 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and truly worship you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Come As You Are    Michael Farren, Chad Cates, Tony Wood

Call To Worship 1

ONE: We come together as the family of faith.

ALL: We assemble to honor the living God.

ONE: Through Christ we become God's holy household.

ALL: In Christ we are bonded together to be God's people.

ONE: Our worship is united into oneness by the Holy Spirit.

ALL: In communion with the Holy Spirit, let us celebrate our unity. Let us worship God!

Hymn 396  Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

Affirmation of Faith 1

We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus to reconcile and to make all things new. We trust in God, who calls us to be the church; to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Response Hymn 288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 405

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

God's goodness is eternal.

(sing twice)

Scripture: Romans 1:24-2:1

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   The God Who Stays     Matthew West, Jonathan Smith, AJ Pruis

Sermon   Paul, the Bible, and Homosexuality  Reverend John Chamberlin

Hymn 435   There's a Wideness in God's Mercy

Invitation to the Offering 1

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Consolation     Felix Mendelssohn

Prayer of Dedication 2

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 546   Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing

Pastoral Blessing

Community Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 “Words for Worship,” Arlene M. Mark

2 Thom Schuman, Lectionary Liturgies