Worship Service August 23

August 23, 2020 

10:00 am Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER

Astonishing God, you give us a vision of the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, your home among mortals on earth. All people and nations will stream to your city where they will find nourishment, healing, and peace. Even now your blessing shines upon all the earth to help us see a larger vision of your loving care for all creation. You call us to move beyond our comfortable circles, and into unfamiliar places, as we seek to share your dream of a world made new in Christ. Amen.

PRELUDE     Great Is the Lord     Moore 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Revelation 21)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let everyone who hears say, “Come.” Let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Let everyone who is thirsty come.

Come to the tree of life, the Alpha and the Omega.

† HYMN      “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”      Hymnal #1

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious Power, Alpha and Omega, God whose reign will know no end, you call us to your everlasting springs to be drenched and reformed, but we fail to heed you. We put up barriers between one another and, behind the supposed safety of these walls, judge those on the outside as unworthy of love, respect, or compassion. Forgive us for our failings, shield us from our due, and guide us into unity with all for the sake of the whole world. We continue to pray in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

SCRIPTURE     Revelation 21:1-7 

SERMON      “The End?”      Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERING

 SPECIAL MUSIC      A Call to Praise      Taylor      William Tucker, Soloist 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”      Hymnal #363 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Soon and Very Soon”      Hymnal #384 

POSTLUDE      Call of the Trumpets      Purcell 

†You are invited to stand, as you are able.