WELCOME
PRELUDE The Solid Rock – Bradbury / Berry
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Come, let us worship God and rejoice, for God is calling us today.
People: As we hear God’s call in our lives, let us bring the gift of praise and thanksgiving
to God.
Leader: God is able to use all of our varied gifts, so that all people may be embraced with God’s
love.
People: Let us use the blessings which God has given us to benefit others.
Leader: May this time of worship inspire us to show our faithfulness in our words and actions.
People: Come, let us celebrate God’s love for us, for all are welcome in this place.
*HYMN OF PRAISE Let Us Build a House Glory to God, #301
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (Unison)
God of care and compassionate, as we bow in Your presence, we confess that we do not
always embrace Your way of generosity and grace.
Because we seek to establish our own form of security, we are reluctant to give what You
have first given to us.
Although we say that we find our hope in You, we do not find our joy in Your service.
Because we are often lured by the world’s influence, we attempt to acquire more
and relinquish less.
Forgive us, Lord, and renew us with Your Spirit.
Enable us to rediscover the depth of love You have for us,
so that we may be inspired to serve as witnesses who offer our gratitude to You
and share Your love and grace with all people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.
(Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Ephesians 1:7-10)
Leader: In Jesus Christ, we have redemption and the forgiveness of our trespasses according to
the riches of grace which He lavished upon us.
People: The mystery of God’s will has been made known to us in Jesus Christ to unite all
things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE Sing Praise to God, Whose Mighty Acts Glory to God, #356
[During the interlude, you are invited to reflect on where you might have missed God this week, or
where you might have turned against another human being. You can also turn to this hymn that is
based on Psalm 9, and read the textual notes about the hymn’s focus on God’s justice in the world.]
MINUTE FOR MISSION AIIA Collection for Immigrants
Faithful Innovation Team
SCRIPTURE Psalm 127:1-5
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards
the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for God
gives sleep to his beloved.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy are those who have a quiver full of them. They shall not be put to shame when they
speak with their enemies in the gate.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE When All Is Ended Glory to God, #376
[During the interlude, you are invited to consider what God may be saying to you in these
passages of Scripture. You are encouraged to turn to this hymn and read the textual notes
which highlight that the tune for this hymn is named for Mahatma Gandhi’s guru.]
SCRIPTURE Mark 12:38-44
38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to
be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and
places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say
long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins,
which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this
poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of
them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything
she had, all she had to live on.”
MEDITATION Contributing to the Cause
ANTHEM Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing – Robinson / Keveren
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from A Declaration of Faith, 9.3
We believe Christ gives us and demands of us personal lives that are centered on God and
open to God’s reality and rule.
Christ teaches us to put obedience to God above interests of self, family, race or nation; and
to joyously offer God our money, ability, and time.
It is part of our discipline to observe a day of worship and rest, setting aside our own working
to enjoy God’s work, and celebrating with sisters and brothers the Lord’s goodness.
We need constantly to search out God’s way in Scripture, not expecting detailed directions
for every decision, but relying on the Word to tell us who God is, to press God’s present
claim on us, and to assure us of God’s grace and comfort.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.
INVITATION TO GIVE
MUSICAL INTERLUDE How Very Good and Pleasant Glory to God, #398
[During the interlude, recall two or three things that happened this week for which you are
grateful. Savor them, and then thank God for these gifts. You are also encouraged to read
the helpful textual notes about this hymn based on Psalm 133 which is an eloquent
affirmation of unity and solidarity.]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
We have “open” communion, and therefore all who desire a closer relationship with God and
want to share in the love of Jesus Christ are invited to participate fully in the sacrament.
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Words of Institution and Communion of the People
Prayer after Communion
*HYMN We Give Thee but Thine Own Glory to God, #708
*BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE Surely, the Presence of the Lord – see screens
POSTLUDE Kum Ba Yah – Jazz Hymn