August 18, 2024
Prelude: We All Believe in One True God
Scheidt
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Isaiah 43]
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who makes a way in the sea,
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.”
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.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit, let us find the promised rest;
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
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 of past and future, you make paths in difficult places and reconcile the world to yourself in Christ. In the midst of chaos and change, forgive us when we hold onto our old ways and fail to trust you for a way forward. Grant us grace to listen to your guidance and courage to participate in the new things you are doing. We pray for your transformation, strength for the challenge, and a renewed enthusiasm for the gospel and its work of reconciliation. Amen.
Silence
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (Hymn 210)
Croft/Watts
Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,
From everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.
Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
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.
Children’s Message
Solo: Do Not Be Afraid
Patterson/Morris
Kennadie Myers
(Please join in singing the Refrain)
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
Chosen and beloved, you are my own.
Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you:
By your name I called you for my own.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Yoder
Old Testament: Isaiah 43:14-21
New Testament: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Sermon: The Apostles’ Creed, Week 6: Triptych
Rev. John Owen
Focus: Although our faith has ancient roots, it is thoroughly forward looking.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Response: Here I Am, Lord (Hymn 525)
Schutte
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? (refrain)
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (refrain)
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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
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: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
MIT FREUDEN ZART/Bobb
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: Pasticcio
Langlais
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