Worship Service
January 15, 2023
Prelude: Elevation by Dom Paul Benoit (1893-1979) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist
*Greetings
Announcements
Wise Words from John Gaul
*Hymn: “Just as I Am, I Come”
*Opening of the Word
*Responsive Invocation:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High, to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.
For you, O Lord,
have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright;
the Lord is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness
in the Lord.
*Invitation to Prayer:
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our maker.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Creator, whose great love holds a forgiveness for all who desire and seek it: we thank thee for thy gracious assurance that thou art always near and ready to forgive. Pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and truth, and bring us into everlasting life; for thy mercy’s sake. Amen.
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.
O Lord, open thou our lips:
And our mouths shall show forth thy praise.
*Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
*The Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy; Lord God of hosts:
Heav’n and earth are full of thy glory. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:21-24; John 5:1-18, Arcana Coelestia #10659
Children’s Message
Solo: The Quiet Heart, Words and music by John Ness Beck; Transcribed by Craig Courtney – Celeste Winant, soloist
Spiritual Message: How do we keep the Sabbath holy? – Rev. Junchol Lee
Silent Meditation
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison)
Great Spirit, Christ, the Compassionate One, Light of the World, You are that which sustains and nurtures our spirit. You draw us closer to Heaven and to each other. Your Divine Love and Wisdom flows into every living soul. You dwell among us and warm every human heart. We acknowledge our need to be fed by your Sacred Spirit, to share in the beauty of life, and to build a Holy City on Earth by giving of ourselves, yet knowing that all that is good and true flows into us from You. Amen.
Prayer of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: Fond d’Orgue from Missa Octavi Toni by Gaspard Corrette (1671-1733)
*Doxology
Praise God the Source of life and birth; Praise God the Word who came to earth
Praise God the Spirit, holy flame; All glory, honor to God’s name. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn: Song for Love
*Benediction
*Closing of the Word
*Sung Response: Aaronic Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the Lord be gracious to you, and give you peace, and give you peace. Amen.
Postlude: Voluntary in G by John Stanley (1713-86)