November 19,2023
WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE
PRELUDE "Come, Come Ye Saints" English folk song, arr. Summer Decker Nelson
WELCOME Rev. Susan Warrener Smith
One: This is the day that the Lord has made
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have come to worship God.
All: We offer all that we are, knowing that we need God’s Spirit to be what we ought to be.
One: We have come to worship God. Let us come with expectation.
All: In the Divine Presence there is light for our darkness and purpose in our striving. Praise be to God!
*HYMN NO. 352 “My Lord, What a Morning” MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING
*PRAYER OF CONFFESSION Jim Legg
God of abundance, you have given us so many gifts. You bless us with talents, resources, skills, and knowledge, and yet we hide them under a bushel. We hoard these gifts, instead of following you and sharing with those in need. We have been poor stewards of all you have given. Forgive us, and help us grow what we are given, that it might be returned in service to you.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 585 “Glory to God” vs. 1 MACHU-PICHU
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,
All: And also with you.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
MUSICAL MEDITATION “Lento” from Piano Quartet No. 2 Antonin Dvorak
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 65:17-25
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Jeremy Carroll
SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:5-19
SERMON Rev. Susan Warrener Smith
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
*HYMN NO. 383 “Dream On, Dream On” DREAM ON
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God, the nurturer of all humanity, who creates and sustains the universe by infinite power and redeeming love. We believe in Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, the Lord of life. Because of his words and works, his way with others, his use of suffering, his conquest of death, we know what life ought to be and what God is like. We believe that the Spirit of God is present with us now and always, and can be experienced in prayer, in forgiveness, in the Word and sacraments, in the fellowship of the church, and in all we do.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE followed by The Lord’s Prayer using debts and debtors
One: Oh God, hear our prayer,
All: Restore all of who we are to you.
TIME OF OFFERING "Beautiful Zion, Built Above" by Joseph G. Fones, arr. Laurel Hunt Pederson
OFFERTORY RESPONSE “Giving God, We Pause and Wonder” NETTLETON
God, we know we cannot pay you for your love in Christ your Son.
Gifts and tithes are just a "thank you" — Ways to pass your blessings on.
We have learned that, in our sharing, We receive more than we give.
By your Spirit, make us daring In this joyful way to live.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
For life-sustaining gifts that we so often take for granted we give you thanks, gracious God. As we invest a part of all you entrust to us to further the ministries of the church, may we show to others the immeasurable riches of your grace in Jesus Christ. May this church be a beacon of hope for the world. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
*HYMN NO. 378 “We Wait for the Peaceful Kingdom” MERLE’S TUNE
TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Allegro Moderato” from Piano Quartet No. 2 Antonin Dvorak
Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452