February 23, 2025
Prelude: Amazing Grace
Virginia Harmony/arr. Callahan
“I once was lost…”
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 92]
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.
It is good to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O Lord, have made us glad by your work; at the works of your hands we sing for joy.
Let us worship the LORD!
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens (Hymn 268)
Moore/Cameron
God who stretched the spangled heavens, infinite in time and place,
Flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space:
We, your children in your likeness, share inventive powers with you;
Great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do.
We have ventured worlds undreamed of since the childhood of our race;
Known the ecstasy of winging through untraveled realms of space;
Probed the secrets of the atom, yielding unimagined power,
Facing us with life’s destruction or our most triumphant hour.
As each far horizon beckons, may it challenge us anew;
Children of creative purpose, serving others, honoring you.
May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavor well begun;
Great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one.
Confession
God of steadfast mercy, you love us as your children. Forgive us when we think we can lose that belonging through our failures and rebellion, or when we strive to earn the love and approval you have already given us. Forgive us when we are jealous for your gifts and care, and do not celebrate your work in those we deem less worthy. Help us appreciate the labors of others and work to give back in community, rather than setting ourselves against one another in competition. May we draw hope and comfort from unexpected welcome and redemption. Amen.
Silence
Amazing Grace (Hymn 280)
Arr. Excell/Newton
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me 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.
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (Hymn 367)
Ghanaian folk song
Refrain:
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with Your love,
Show us how to serve the neighbors we have from You.
Kneels at the feet of His friends,
Silently washes their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.
These are the ones we should serve,
These are the ones we should love.
All are neighbors to us and You.
Loving puts us on our knees,
Serving as though we are slaves,
This is the way we should live with You.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Kelly Grieves
Old Testament: Leviticus 25:39-43
New Testament: Luke 15:11-32
Sermon: Unanticipated
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.” -Albert Einstein
Response: Song of the Birds
Catalan folk song/arr. Geringas
Karen Bart, cello
Song of the Birds is the Catalan folk song which became a signature piece performed by the great Catalan cellist Pablo Casals in recognition of the plight of refugees around the world. In recognition of this Casals was offered the United Nations Peace Medal in 1971, two months before his 95th birthday. At that occasion Casals made a speech in addition to performing Song of the Birds. As Casals said, “Birds sing when they are in the sky, they sing: 'Peace, Peace, Peace,' and it is a melody that Bach, Beethoven and all the greats would have admired and loved.” This version edited and arranged by David Geringas is for solo cello. Proceeds from the sale of this score will be donated to the UN Refugee Agency.
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
Shelly Owen
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. -1 Peter 4:10
Offering: Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices
Konig/arr. Burkhardt
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: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
arr. Burkhardt
“Prone to wander…prone to leave the God I love”
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