August 27, 2023
Prelude: Largo, from Sonata in G minor
Eccles
Leonard Byrne, tuba
Introit: Be Gracious Unto Me (from Ps. 51)
Shipp/Showalter
Betsy Hammond
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 51]
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out our transgressions.
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach us wisdom.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and sustain in us a willing spirit.
Then we will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Let us worship the LORD!
Let Us with a Gladsome Mind (Hymn 244)
Freylinghausen’s Geistreiches Gesangbuch/Milton
Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord who is so kind:
For God’s mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
God, with all-commanding might, filled the new-made world with light:
For God’s mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
All things living God does feed, with full measure meets their need;
For God’s mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord who is so kind:
For God’s mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
Confession
God of wisdom and mercy, we want to follow your ways, but we keep falling short. When all we can see is our failure, forgive us and give us courage to keep trying. When we have caused harm, forgive us and give us courage to change direction and repair what we can. When we use perfectionism as a defense mechanism, forgive us and give us courage to embrace life in all its messiness. Through your steadfast love, may honesty free us for new and deeper life with others. Amen.
Silence
Create in Me a Clean Heart
Anonymous
Create in me a clean heart. O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart. O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.
[Psalm 51:10 –12]
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Children’s Message
God, Be Merciful to Me
Miner/Psalter, 1912
God, be merciful to me, on your grace I rest my plea;
Wash me, make me pure within; cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
Refrain: God, be merciful to me, on your grace I rest my plea.
My transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress.
I have sinned against your grace and provoked you to your face. (Refrain)
I am evil, born in sin; you desire truth within.
Make me pure, your mercy show, wash me whiter than the snow. (Refrain)
Let my contrite heart rejoice and in gladness hear your voice;
From my sins, O hide your face, blot them out in boundless grace. (Refrain)
Embodiment: Psalm 51
Scott Starbuck
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 51: Romans 3:1-4
Scott Starbuck
Response: Psalm 51 (Hymn 196)
The Grail/Isele
Refrain: The sacrifice you accept, O God, is a humble spirit.
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
Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given. -Proverbs 25:14
Offering Our Gifts: “from our fears and sins release us…”
Southern Harmony, arr. Bisbee
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: Sons of Sorrow
American Folk Hymn, arr. Wood
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