Worship 8/27/23

TheWorshipofGod

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 27, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m.

*We invite you to stand as you are able.

Gathering at God’s Invitation

Welcome AngelaZimmerman

CalltoWorship(fromPsalm124)

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, then the flood would have swept us away. The God who saved Israel is still at work in the world, hearing the cries of the afflicted and setting God’s people free. Thanks be to God!

LightingoftheChristCandle

AngelaZimmerman

JimMcMillan

We light the Christ candle as a reminder that Christ is the one who has drawn us to this place, abides with us now, and is with us to the end of the age.

Prelude St. Peter

LifeoftheCommunity

Offering Ourselves to God

*Hymn#477 We Are Called to Be God’s People

ScriptureReading Exodus1:8-2:10

The Word of God for the People of God

Thanks Be to God.

PrayerofConfession

HealeyWillan

JohnScott

AUSTRIANHYMN

AngelaZimmerman

JohnScott

Gracious God, you are always present and active amid your people. We confess that sometimes we fail to recognize and respond to your saving work in the world.

We defer to power and privilege, expect the tried and true, and succumb to doubt and despair when your ways are not clear. Behold, you are doing a new thing;

help us to perceive it.

Forgive us when we do not respond to your call. Liberate us from our fears and self-imposed limitations. Guide us into the fullness of life and love that you are at work preparing. Amen.

AssuranceofPardon

Our God makes a way where there is no way, infusing our world with grace and hope. We are a people redeemed and restored. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

*Hymn#387 God Who Made Us, Christ Who Calls Us GALILEE

GivingourTithesandOfferings

OffertoryPrayer ReedFinley

Offertory Sonntag (Sunday) JohannesBrahms

*Doxology(Hymn#706)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Listening to God

TheChurchatPrayer&TheLord’sPrayer

Prayerresponse: We pray knowing our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem Hymn of Promise

ScriptureReading Romans12:1-8

NathalieSleeth

AngelaZimmerman

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God

Sermon “AppropriatePriestlyService”

Responding to God’s Word

DisciplineofSilence

AngelaZimmerman

To be in God’s presence is to be changed. During this moment of silent reflection, consider the change God wishes to make in you.

If you sense God calling you today, we invite you to respond during this time of invitation. If God is calling you to follow Jesus for the first time, to rededicate yourself as a Christ-follower, or as a faithful Christian, to join the fellowship of our church, we encourage you to come forward to speak to our pastor during this closing hymn.

Deacon Commissioning

PresentationofNewlyElectedDeacons: PatSmithandBillySpencer

ChargetoNewlyElectedDeacons:

Paul described to Timothy qualities of good deacons. He said, “Deacons should be respectable, trustworthy, not troubled by addiction or greed, and not given to gossip. Their home life should be stable and their faith obvious.”

Because others see these ideals reflected in your lives, you were elected by the church to lead by example and minister with integrity and compassion. Will you accept this charge?

NewDeacons: With God’s help, we will.

ChargetoAllDeacons:

In 1 Peter 4 we read, “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Each of you has unique gifts and abilities. The church has called you to use these for the building up of the church, the care of souls, and the spread of God’s kingdom.

With God’s leadership, will you accept the responsibility to use your unique gifts for ministry as deacon?

AllDeacons: With God’s help, we will.

ChargetotheChurch:

You elected these deacons to serve the church, but the work of the church is not theirs alone.

Will you uphold these deacons by your prayers and love and work alongside them to do the ministry of the church?

Church: With God’s help, we will.

Sending Into God’s World