Welcome
Prelude
"Chorale: O Fairest Jesus" (Bach)
Hymn
#
328
"Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place"
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angel’s wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Welcome of All & Call to Worship
We praise God
Opening Hymn
#
2025
"As the Deer"
All verses
As the deer pants for the water
so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship you.
[Refrain]
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart's desire,
and I long to worship you.
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, we confess that we do not meditate on your commands and teachings all day long. We do not keep your word before us always and in all things. Instead, we turn away from your demanding truth and wander toward easier options. Forgive us we pray, for pursuing our own desires rather than yours. Forgive us for growing weary in following you; for failing to prayer and work tirelessly for justice; for losing hope in your power to transform the powers of this world. Tune our ears to the sound of your justice. Turn our hearts to your commandments and word of grace. We pray in Christ’s name, Amen.
Hymn
#
72
"Gloria, Gloria"
Gloria, Gloria, in Excelsis Deo!
Gloria! Gloria! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Greeting One Another with the Sign of Peace
Leader: Peace be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us share the Peace of Christ with great joy.
We hear God's word
Scripture
Psalm 121, Luke 8:1-8
Click the button below to read today's scripture on Bible Gateway (external site):
Hymn
#
492
"Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire"
All verses
1. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
unuttered or expressed,
the motion of a hidden fire
that trembles in the breast.
2. Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
the falling of a tear,
the upward glancing of an eye,
when none but God is near.
3. Prayer is the simplest form of speech
that infant lips can try;
prayer the sublimest strains that reach
the Majesty on high.
4. Prayer is the contrite sinners' voice,
returning from their way,
while angels in their songs rejoice
and cry, "Behold, they pray!"
5. Prayer is the Christians' vital breath,
the Christians' native air;
their watchword at the gates of death;
they enter heaven with prayer.
6. O Thou, by whom we come to God,
the Life, the Truth, the Way:
the path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Today's Message
We celebrate community
Joys and Concerns
You may end your prayer with “This is my prayer.”
We all respond with “This is our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer & Lord's Prayer
Our Father-Mother, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
We celebrate tithing & offering
Offertory Hymn
"People" (Merrill/ Styne)
Performed by Veronique Rynn
Doxology
#
95
"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, ye creatures here below,
Praise God, ye hosts in heaven above,
Praise God, the Trinity of Love. Amen.
Offertory/Commitment Prayer
Persistent and just God, you do not turn away when your people cry out. Receive these gifts as acts of our faith—faith that keeps moving, faith that keeps hoping, faith that keeps working for justice, even when the world says it’s too late or too little. Make us a people who do not lose heart. Shape our prayers into action and our generosity into grace, until your kin-dom comes—on earth, as it is in heaven. In the name of Christ, who still stands and knocks. Amen.
Closing
Closing Hymn
#
451
"Be Thou My Vision"
All verses
1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
3. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
4. High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.