Worship Oct. 7

CENTERING PRAYER 

        Gracious God, perhaps I should quit this habit of reading two newspapers before I go to work.  The world I read about seems to get worse each day.  It’s enough to make me throw in the towel and to leave it to the rascals to finish it off.

But then, I remember it is this world you love, not another, and I begin to re-focus.  There is hope for the world and for me, after all.  Your love is at work, even in the midst of violence and death.  I know it because your dear child Jesus was not overcome by either violence or death, but overcame them both by the power of your love.  That’s all I need to know.

        Help me, then, not to flinch away from the daily news, to serve the world truly well, and to do it with all the gifts you have given me, the greatest of which is love.  Amen.  (Jorge Lara-Braud)

     

CALL TO WORSHIP

The heavens are telling the glory of God, all creation speaks volumes of God’s handiwork.

        Each sunrise proclaims God’s faithfulness, and the night reveals the Creator’s awe.

Without speaking a word, all creation bears witness to the goodness of the Lord.

        May we join in witness with all creation.  May the words of our mouths and the   meditation of our hearts be God’s signature in this world.

Come, let us worship our God together!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of compassion and mercy, we are your wounded and wounding children.  We bring our wounded selves, our divided society, and our broken world, seeking your healing and transforming grace; it is easy for us to point the finger at others, yet we know we all need your forgiveness.  We lift into your presence the victims of conflicts and those we have called enemies.  Break down the walls of hatred, distrust, and bitterness, and open a way for us to reach one another in truth and love.  Enable us to build a society where all can belong, to share our gifts in mutual respect, and to seek the new future you offer us through Jesus the Christ.  (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                               Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12

   SERMON                                              “Still Speaking,”

Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – (adapted from the Belhar Confession)

We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the unity of the communion of saints of the entire human family.  We believe this unity of the people of God must be manifest and active, in that we love one another; that we give ourselves willingly and joyfully to one another, that we are share one baptism together, that we eat of one bread and drink of one cup together, that we confess one name, one Lord, for one cause, with one hope, which is the height and the breadth and the depth and the love of Christ, forever and ever.  Amen.