September 4, 2022
Introit: Morning Has Broken
Gaelic melody, arr. Smith
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 1]
Blessed are those who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful,
But our delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law we meditate day and night.
And they shall be like trees planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth His fruit in due season.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the ways of the sinner shall perish.
Let us worship the LORD!
Morning Has Broken (Hymn 469)
Farjeon/Gaelic melody
Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!
Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dew-fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
Confession
Lord you have given us this world and its riches to use, but too often we are careless in our stewardship. You gave us minds that can create wonders beyond our ancestors’ wildest dreams, but too often we use those wonders for our own selfish purposes and not to bring you glory and to nurture all your children. You gave us the wonderful gift of citizenship in a country where we are free to choose how and where we will live and grow and have our being, and too often we consider that citizenship more of a right than an obligation and opportunity to live in your love. Today we offer to you our sincere sorrow for all the ways in which we have failed to use your gifts in praise of your name and to give you glory for gifts of your forgiveness that bring such joy into our lives with and through you. Amen.
Silence
Let Us Break Bread Together (Hymn 513)
African-American Spiritual
Let us break bread together on our knees; (on our knees)
Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
Refrain:
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me. (on me)
Let us drink wine together on our knees; (on our knees)
let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
(refrain)
Let us praise God together on our knees; (on our knees)
let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
(refrain)
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
Take My Life and Let It Be (Hymn 391)
Havergal/Malan
Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee,
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee;
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thy own, it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store,
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:15–20
Link Here
New Testament: Luke 14:25–33
Link Here
Sermon: “Are You Ready?”
Steve Blewett
Focus: What does it take for each of us to “pick up our cross” and follow Jesus? Maybe less than you think!
Communion
Communion Music: You Are Near (Psalm 139)
Schutte
Betsy Hammond
Please join in singing the Refrain:
Yahweh, I know you are near, standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe, and you lead me in ways everlasting.
Communion Prayer
Giving our Gifts to God
Rick Lanphear
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
-Psalm 8:4
Offering Our Gifts: Ode to Joy
Beethoven
Katriel Starbuck, violin; Helen Byrne, cello; Ruth Seignemartin
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: March from An Occasional Oratorio
Handel/Ritter
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
