Sunday Worship Service
September 15, 2024
Prelude: Prelude on the hymn tune Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist
Greetings & Announcements
Hymn: “Take My Life, and Let it Be” – Vs. 1-3
Opening of the Word
Responsive Invocation: from Psalm 18
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.
He reached from on high, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He brought me forth into a broad place;
he delivered me,
because he delighted in me.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness
of my hands in his sight.
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.
(All stand)
Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
The Sanctus
God of All, Your Name is Holy Earth and Heaven are full of Your Glory Alleluia, Amen.
Scripture Readings: Matthew 7:24-27; Jeremiah 17:5-13; Arcana Coelestia #9282 (Swedenborg)
Children’s Message
Solo: “Lord, Here Am I”, Music by John Ness Beck, Transcribed by Craig Courtney, Words by Fannie Crosby (1820-1915) – Celeste Winant, soloist
Spiritual Message: Hearers and Doers – Rev. Junchol Lee
Silent Meditation
Affirmation of Faith
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
Hymn: “Come, Thou, My Light”
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: Hymn Tune: Rhosymedre by John David Edwards (1805-85)
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: “Take My Life, and Let it Be” – Vs. 5 & 6
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: Hornpipe from Water Music by G.F. Handel (1685-1759)