October 18 Worship
Download the Worship Bulletin Here
Worship will be live streamed on Grace's YouTube channel (above), and the video recording uploaded here afterward.
We Gather
CENTERING WORDS
As we gather today, God is with us. The Holy One knows us. The Living God shines through us.
PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL TO WORSHIP Brothers and Sisters, we are loved by God.
The ruler of heaven and earth knows us by name.
God hears and answers our cries for help.
God shows compassion and kindness to us.
May our lives praise and magnify our great and awesome God.
We have come to worship the one whose image is imprinted within us.
OPENING HYMN No. 632
Lord We Have Come at Your Own Invitation
(Because the singing of hymns is discouraged during this period of pandemic, you are invited to meditate on verses 1 & 3 below.)
Lord, we have come at your own invitation,
chosen by you, to be counted your friends;
yours is the strength that sustains dedication;
ours, a commitment we know never ends.
When, at your table, each time of returning,
vows are renewed and our courage restored,
may we increasingly glory in learning
all that it means to accept you as Lord.
CALL TO PRAYERS
We know, despite our sincere efforts to live in God's way, that all too easily we slip off the path to the kingdom. Trusting that God will answer our prayers and forgive us, let us confess our sins, as we pray together,
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION & INTERCESSION Magnificent and Holy One, we long to know you better. As we make our way in this world, we search for signs that you are with us. Give us a glimpse of your glorious presence, and show us your ways. May our lives ring out the marvelous message of your goodness, your mercy, and your love.
O God, our God, you have shown us your ways and promised to walk with us. Through your Son, Jesus, you have given us an example to follow, that we might be imitators of your divine love. But we have not kept the laws and rules you have given us. Lover of justice, forgive us when we forget whose image we bear. May the deep convictions of our faith be displayed through acts of kindness, compassion and mercy, in your holy name we pray.
Let us lift our prayers to God for the brokenness of this world and for the needs of our community and our hearts.
Silence
ASSURANCE OF GOD WITH US Our God is a God who forgives, showing kindness and compassion to all. When we call on God, God hears and answers us. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST “Brothers and sisters, you are loved by God!” In this hope and promise, let us exchange signs of peace, greeting one another with this good news.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
And also with you.
We Reflect
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Living God, help us so to hear your Word that we may truly understand; that in understanding we may believe; and that in believing, we may follow your way in all faithfulness, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Exodus 33:12-23
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 22:15-22
SERMON Greed
Rev. Kathryn R. Mustaro
We Respond
OUR GIFTS OF SACRIFICE and THANKSGIVING
Invitation
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” With gratitude for all we have received, we offer our gifts to God.
Thank you for sending your offerings. They make a great difference to our church’s work in the world.
Musical Meditation
Prayer of Dedication
These offerings represent only a part of what we owe you. Our currency bears the imprint of worldly powers, but we bear the holy image you inscribe on our hearts. All that we have and all that we are belong to you, O God. As we give these gifts and ourselves freely to you, may others know your goodness and your love, through our offerings. Amen.
We Are Sent
CLOSING HYMN No. 716
God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
(You are invited to meditate on the refrain and verses 1-3 below.)
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store,
nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,
costly cross, grave's shattered door:
gifted by you, we turn to you,
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever,
gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing
toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
all at peace in health and freedom,
races joined, the church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we strive for self alone.
Born with talents, make us servants
fit to answer at your throne.
Treasure, too, you have entrusted,
gain through powers your grace conferred:
ours to use for home and kindred,
and to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
as we heed Christ's ageless call,
healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Please join us for prayers and fellowship on ZOOM at 10:30 a.m..
All songs not in the public domain are used by permission of CCLI #1124594.
Centering Words, Welcome & Call to Worship, Prayers of Confession & Intercession, Assurance of God With Us, Sharing the Peace of Christ, Invitation to the Offering and Prayer of Dedication - Scifres, Mary. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2020 . Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.
Call to Prayers - Shuman, Thom, Lectionary Liturgies, Liturgy with Communion for October 19, 2014, accessed at