February 9, 2025
Prelude: I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ
Bach
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 42]
We say to God, our rock, “Why have you forgotten us? Why must we walk about mournfully?”
Tears have been our food day and night, while people say to us, “Where is your God?”
These things we remember, as we pour out our soul: how we went with the throng in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with us, a prayer to the God of our life.
Let us worship the LORD!
Come Sing to God (Hymn 181)
Anderson/Gesangbuch der Herzogl
Come sing to God, O living saints, sing praises to God’s name.
God’s anger is not permanent, God’s love will never wane.
Though tears may tarry for the night with sighs of deepest pain,
Yet joy comes with the morning sun, a peace that is not vain.
In my success I felt secure. How good you’ve been to me.
I said that this is my own work, ascribing all to me.
But when you turned aside your face, my life was filled with fears.
I begged for help, to you I cried with loud and bitter tears.
What good is gained by my disgrace, what profit in defeat?
My grave cannot confess your name, nor praise for you repeat.
Now hear, O Lord, my plaintive cry; be merciful to me.
Accept my longing heart’s request and from death set me free.
You change my grief to joy-filled dance, my sorrows you destroy
In faithfulness you hear my cry and fill my life with joy.
And so to you my heart shall sing, my voice your goodness raise.
You are my God, forevermore, my life shall sing your praise.
Confession
Merciful God, you hear our cries and honor our tears. Yet, with all the chaos and injustice in the world, we do not always feel heard. Forgive us for growing weary in following you; for failing to pray daily; for losing hope in your power to transform the powers of this world. Grant us hearts that yearn for your presence and confidence to approach your throne as beloved children. 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, Allelu, alleluia!
Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you, Allelu, alleluia!
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.
O Lord, Make Haste to Hear My Cry (Hymn 249)
Handel/The Psalter
O Lord, make haste to hear my cry. To you I call, on You rely.
Incline to me a gracious ear, and when I call, in mercy hear.
When in the morning unto You I call in supplication new,
Then let my prayer as incense rise to God enthroned above the skies.
When unto You I look and pray with lifted hands at close of day,
Then as the evening sacrifice let my request accepted rise.
O guard my thoughts, I now implore, and of my lips O keep the door;
Nor leave my sinful heart to stray where evil footsteps lead the way.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Yoder
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:1-19
New Testament: Luke 18:1-8
Sermon: Self Advocacy
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “It keeps our hearts chasing after God's heart. It's how we bother God, and how God bothers us back. There's nothing that works any better than that.” -Barbara Brown Taylor
Response: I Call to Thee
Helen Byrne, cello; Ruth Seignemartin, piano
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
Betsy Hammond
I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. -Psalm 3:4-5
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: Allegro
Kittel
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