Worship

Note: This bulletin can be printed by pressing cntrl+P or by clicking here.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

09/15/2024

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC Invocation Alexandre Guilmant

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP

God of promises fulfilled,
we gather as descendants of Abraham;
we stand before you
as faithful testimony to your covenant;
we assemble as living proof
that your love for humanity
knows no limits.
When we feel overwhelmed
by the stresses of daily life,
we need only look at the stars in the sky
to remember your abiding faithfulness.
When we are overcome with despair
by the pain of war and poverty in our world,
we need only see the light of a single candle
to remember the one you sent
as our light, our strength, and our salvation.
We pray now in the name of that light,
Jesus Christ. Amen.

*OPENING HYMN #336We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; he chastens and hastens his will to make known;

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou Lord wast at our side; all glory be thine.

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant, and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.

Let thy congregation escape tribulation; thy name be ever praise!O Lord, make us free!

PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Eternal God,
we are quick to join
Abram’s doubt and impatience,
but we sometimes find it difficult to copy
Abraham’s faith and trust.
We want to believe your promises,
but the here-and-now problems of daily life
consume our focus
and erode our faith.
Open our eyes to your light.
Open our hearts to your love.
Open our minds to your possibilities.
Speak to us today, O God,
and strengthen our faith,
that we, too, may know
the everlasting power of your love.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL #284 Holy Spirit, Come To Us

Holy Spirit, come to us; kindle in us the fire of your love.

Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

When God is with us, whom shall we fear?
The God of salvation will never forsake you.
God’s patience knows no limits.
Wait for the Lord.
Be strong and take heart.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Pastor:       The peace of Christ be with you.
People:      And with you also.
Pastor:       Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:      The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

ANTHEM Show Us How to Love Mark A. Miller

BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Today’s Story "The Story of Hagar" Kathleen Krentz & Joyclyn Van

Leader: And as we continue our worship…

Congregation: May God be with you there.

Children: May God be with you here.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader: God in your grace,
People: Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

SCRIPTURES: Genesis 15:1-6 and Luke 3:8

RESPONSE

Reader: The word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor: May the words of my mouth

People: And the meditations of our hearts

All: Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord,

Our rock and our redeemer. Amen

SERMON Heirs to the Kindom

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

*HYMN OF RESPONSE #762 When The Poor Ones

When the poor ones who have nothing share with strangers,

When the thirsty water give unto us all,

When the crippled in their weakness strengthen others,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us.

When at last all those who suffer find their comfort,

When they hope though even hope seems hopelessness,

When we love though hate at times seems all around us,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us.

When our joy fills up our cup to overflowing,

When our lips can speak no words other than true,

When we know that love for simple things is better,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us.

When our homes are filled with goodness in abundance,

When we learn how to make peace instead of war,

When each stranger that we meet is called a neighbor,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us,

Then we know that God still goes that road with us.

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY Absolution Alexandre Guilmant

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all grace flows forth.

Praise Life, all creatures here on earth.

Praise Light who guides us no our way.

Praise Love who forms us day by day.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Faithful God,
you have kept your promises to us.
Our lives give witness
to your abundant blessings.
May we faithfully keep
our promises to you.
Strengthen our commitment
to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Your love sustains us,
guides us, and empowers us.
Take these gifts as signs of our promise
to give ourselves completely into your care—
to live without fear;
to trust your love without reservation. Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN #450 Be Thou My Vision vs. 1,2,3

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best though, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom and thou my true Word;

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

Thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower;

Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I head not, nor vain empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

Thou and thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Postlude H. Heidler