Order of Worship September 19

CENTERING PRAYER

God of the first and the last, give us strength of mind, that we might walk the path of obedience and discipleship without wasting our time thinking about who is more important. Instead, guide our thoughts and our emotions that we may be like children, totally dependent on you, welcoming all with hospitality and love. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

PRELUDE      Concerto in C      Ernst/Bach 

                          BWV 984 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

OPENING WORDS / CALL TO WORSHIP  

Happy are the people 

who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that they follow, or sit in the seat of people who make fun of others. 

Their delight is in the law of the Lord, 

and they meditate on God’s law, day and night. 

The Lord watches over the way of the righteous, 

but the way of the wicked will perish. 

† HYMN      “Now Thank We All Our God”      Hymnal #643

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION  

God of wisdom, forgive our foolishness. We desire what we do not need and corrupt our relationships with envy. You urge us to gentleness, but we stir up conflict. Give us your grace, that we may harvest righteousness and peace, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Teacher, we pray. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

 †GLORY TO GOD      Hymnal #582 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School)

SCRIPTURE      James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a 

SERMON   “Draw Near to God” 

AFFRIMATION OF FAITH Excerpts from The Scots Confession 3.08 

Since the opposition between the justice of God and our sins was such that no flesh by itself could or might have attained unto God, it behooved the Son of God to descend unto us and take himself a body of our body, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone. By this most holy brotherhood whatever we have lost in Adam is restored again. Therefore, we are not afraid to call God our Father...because he has given us the only Son to be our brother. 

 OFFERING    Bless God’s Holy Name      Kosche      Chancel Choir Bell Ringers: 

Terry Smith, Liz Sprague, Jean Steward

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Blessed Assurance”      Hymnal #839 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION      “You Shall Go Out With Joy”      Hymnal #80 

POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship) Fugue in Lydian Mode Bender Op. 29, No. 16 

† You are invited to stand, as you are able