August 23rd Worship
We Gather
CENTERING WORDS
I appeal to you therefore, sisters and brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL TO WORSHIP
People of God, we are united as one body.
Let us present this body for the worship of God.
People of God, we are inspired by one Spirit.
Let us welcome this Spirit in praising the Lord.
People of God, we are made as one and inspired as one, yet we have many gifts.
Let us offer these gifts in the service of love.
Let us worship God!
OPENING HYMN Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven 620
Because the singing of hymns is discouraged during this period of pandemic, you are invited to meditate on verses 1 and 2 below.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress;
praise him still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.
CALL TO PRAYERS
God is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Let us now admit our failings before God and one another that we might be forgiven, receive new life, and begin again.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND INTERCESSION God of all creation, just as Israel turned away from you, so have we. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” Lord, forgive us. We perish without your grace. Forgive us our complaining and our self-will. Forgive us our lack of joy, our unwillingness to hope, our weariness with what is good and true and kind. Grant us that happiness which comes from following Jesus, that peace which passes all understanding, that love which rejoices in the good of the neighbor.
Hear us now as we silently lift the cares and concerns of our hearts.
Please refer to the deacon’s prayer list.
Silence
God, in your mercy, hear our prayers. Heal us. Hold us. Keep us near to your heart. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD WITH US
The promise of the gospel is sure and true. When we come to Christ seeking his mercy, we are made new, opened to be the people we were created to be. Friends, hear and believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
We Reflect
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voices but your own, so that we may hear your Word and also do it; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Psalm 124
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Romans 12:1-8
SERMON
Rev. Dr. Nina Reeder
“The Good News: There’s Another Way”
We Respond
OUR GIFTS OF SACRIFICE and THANKSGIVING Invitation
Through Christ, let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise; that is, hearts, minds, souls, and bodies that call upon his holy name. Let us bring to the Lord our tithes and our gifts.
Thank you for sending your offerings.
They make a great difference to our church’s work in the world.
Musical Meditation
Prayer of Dedication
Holy One, we bring these gifts to bless your world with hope. May they be a blessing to others. And bless us with patience and faith, that we may bring hope to a hurting world. Amen.
We Are Sent
CLOSING HYMN Take My Life 697
You are invited to meditate on verses 1,5, and 6 below.
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All songs not in the public domain are used by permission of CCLI #1124594