August 13, 2023
Prelude: Seek
Introit: Let Praise Abound
Anderson/Parry
Carollen Ryan
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 14]
Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; there is no one who does good.
The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?
O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Let us worship the LORD!
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hymn 376)
Prichard/Wesley
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Confession
God our refuge, sometimes we are overwhelmed by violence in the world and appalled by unkindness and corruption in how people treat each other. Forgive us for the times we lose hope. When we feel ignored or mistreated, forgive us for dividing into camps of “us” and “them.” Teach us to stand up for what is right and good without writing people off as irredeemable. Help us seek you continually. Amen.
Silence
Seek Ye First (Hymn 333)
Lafferty
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you,
Al-le-lu, al-le-lu-ia!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Children’s Message
Restore in Us, O God
Daw
Restore in us, O God, the splendor of your love;
Renew your image in our hearts, and all our sins remove.
O Spirit, wake in us the wonder of your power;
From fruitless fear unfurl our lives like spring-time bud and flower.
Bring us, O Christ to share the fullness of your joy;
Baptize us in the risen life that death cannot destroy.
Three-personed God, fulfill the promise of your grace,
That we, when all our searching ends, may see you face to face.
Embodiment: Psalm 14
Refrain: Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Meditation (Five Minute Silent Reflection & Note-Taking)
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Reflection on New Testament Shared World
of Psalm 14: Romans 3:9-19
Scott Starbuck
Response: The Foolish in Their Hearts Deny (Psalm 14)
Post/Van Oss
The foolish in their hearts deny the holy God who reigns:
“There is no God! There is no God,” this generation claims.
Our God looks down on humankind with penetrating eye
To see if there are any wise who seek the Lord on high.
The Lord finds all have turned aside from doing what is right,
That all have strayed, not one does good, not one within God’s sight.
Have they no knowledge, who consume God’s own as they eat bread,
Who do not call upon the Lord, who will not bow their head?
But they will all be terrified, for God is on the throne.
Though evil ones oppress the poor, you, Lord, will help your own.
O Lord, send us deliverance; restore us; hear our voice.
When Zion’s restoration comes, God’s people will rejoice.
Pastoral Prayer & 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.
Call to Stewardship
Scott Starbuck
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
Offering Our Gifts: Refuge
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Deliverance
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