WELCOME
PRELUDE Jesus Shall Reign – Layton / Berry
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Blessed is our God who embraces us with boundless love.
People: Blessed is the One who teaches us how we are to live.
Leader: Let us praise the Lord who reveals to us who we are and who we could be.
People: May we share God’s grace and compassion with all people.
Leader: As we worship, we are awakened to God’s wonder and inspired for God’s work.
People: Let us praise the One who calls us as partners in Christ’s service.
*HYMN OF PRAISE Called as Partners in Christ’s Service #343
Called as partners in Christ’s service, Called to ministries of grace,
we respond with deep commitment, Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring To fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering, Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, All God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together Gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other’s burdens, Breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision, Words of challenge said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action, Make us colleagues free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving Hope, and confidence, and peace.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (Unison)
God of infinite grace,
although we say that You are the Lord of our lives,
we often fail to live according to Your word.
You teach us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us, but we
usually find more fulfillment in seeking revenge or retaliation.
You summon us to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who
persecute us, but we prefer to get vengeance upon those who offend us.
You call us to do good to everyone without ever hoping for anything in
return, but we want to be repaid for anything we share.
Forgive us, Lord, and help us not to judge or condemn anyone, but to forgive
as You forgive us.
Fill us with Your mercy and grace,
so that we may embody Your image of love for all humanity,
for we ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Romans 5:6-8)
Leader: While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
People: God proves His love for us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
MINUTE FOR MISSION John Sezna
SCRIPTURE Psalm 37:1-11
1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like
the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil
devices.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret — it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
SCRIPTURE Luke 6:27-38
27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes
you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat
do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if
anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you
would have them do to you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to
you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who
do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you
lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even
sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do
good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will
be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be
judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be
forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give
will be the measure you get back.”
MEDITATION Christian Living
ANTHEM My Shepherd Will Supply My Need – Hayes
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from The Confession of 1967
God’s reconciliation in Jesus Christ is the ground of the peace, justice, and
freedom among nations which all powers of government are called to serve
and defend.
The church, in its own life, is called to practice the forgiveness of enemies
and to commend to the nations as practical politics
the search for cooperation and peace.
This search requires that the nations pursue fresh and responsible relations
across every line of conflict, even at risk to national security,
to reduce areas of strife and to broaden international understanding.
Reconciliation among nations becomes peculiarly urgent as countries develop
nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons,
diverting human power and resources from constructive uses
and risking the annihilation of humankind.
Although nations may serve God’s purposes in history,
the church which identifies the sovereignty of any one nation or any one
way of life with the cause of God
denies the Lordship of Christ and betrays its calling.
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
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison)
God of water and food and all of life’s resources,
grant that we as faithful stewards may live responsibly and generously
in the service of the common good of all people.
Consecrate these gifts that are offered to You,
and enact transformations in our daily living,
so that Your love and grace would be experienced by all humanity,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
*HYMN I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me #369
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Sunday Joy! – Hayes
You are invited to be seated as we listen to the Postlude which sends us forth into the world.