PRELUDE
“Overture to Samson” and “The Rejoicing” G. F. Handel
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
AN ACT OF PRAISE
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Come, let us give thanks to God!
We gather together, to praise the One who strengthens the weak, and hears the prayers of the forgotten.
Come, let us give thanks to Christ!
We gather together, to sing of the One who calls us to serve those who are hungry, and alone at this time of year.
Come, let us give thanks to the Spirit!
We gather together, to exalt the One who provokes us to love not only our family and friends, but the guest among us.
*HYMN #401
“Here in This Place” GATHER US IN
Here in this place the new light is streaming;
Now is the darkness vanished away;
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
Brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken;
Gather us in, the blind and the lame;
Call to us now, and we shall awaken;
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a mystery.
We are the old who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
Called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty;
Gather us in, the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart, so meek and so lowly;
Give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we will take the wine and the water;
Here we will take the bread of new birth.
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,
Call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion;
Give us to eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Not is the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven, light years away:
Here in this place the new light is shining;
Now is the kingdom, and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever;
Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in, all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Longing for the touch of God, we cry out; humbled by the awareness of our human nature and brokenness, we bring our prayers of confession to God, praying first in silence.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Lord, we have to admit that we are more likely to be irritated by the lives of others, rather than being provoked to love them. When we are called to encourage those around us, too often our actions and words discourage them. Offered lives of peace and hope, we wander around filled with anxiety and despair.
Forgive us. Cleanse our hearts, so we might be more loving; keep us on the path of faithfulness, so we might confess your hope, offered to all who are broken, who are lost, who cry out to you.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
This is the good news: God gives us hope, God gives us peace, God gives us joy so we may share these gifts with everyone we meet.
Thanks be to God, who has forgiven us, and provoked us to love others and to serve all who are around us. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
AN ACT OF PROCLAMATION
THE SCRIPTURE READING Rev. Gregg Neel
Hebrews 10:11-25
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN Junha Kim
ANTHEM Westminster Concert Bells; Martha Wilson and Michael Barnes, percussion
“Praise to the Lord” arr. John A. Behnke
© 2024 The American Association of English Handbell Ringers, Inc.
SERMON Rev. Gregg Neel
“How Then Shall We Live”
“But you cannot control everything… All you can do is face the world with quiet grace and hope you make a sliver of difference… You must trust that you being the best possible you matters somehow… That being an attentive and generous friend and citizen will prevent a thread or two of the social fabric from unraveling.”
Brian Doyle, “One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #846
“Fight the Good Fight” DUKE STREET
Fight the good fight with all thy might.
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace;
Lift up thine eyes, and seek Christ’s face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
Cast care aside; lean on thy guide.
God’s boundless mercy will provide.
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is the life, and Christ its love.
Faint not nor fear: God’s arms are near.
God changeth not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.
BLESSING OF THE PLEDGES Rev. Gregg Neel
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Jane Kurtz
Forever Fund
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
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OFFERTORY ANTHEM
“For the Beauty of the Earth” arr. Larry Sue
© 2018 Larry and Carla Sue
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn #606
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.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*HYMN #853
“We Are Marching in the Light of God” SIYAHAMBA
We are marching in the light of God;
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God;
We are marching in the light of, the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of, the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
*BENEDICTION Rev. Gregg Neel
*POSTLUDE
“Trumpet Tune and Bell Symphony” Henry Purcell