January 21, 2024
Prelude: Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Virginia Harmony/Barr
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 62]
God alone is our rock and our salvation, our fortress; we shall not be shaken.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken; twice have we heard this: that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
Let us worship the LORD!
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.
A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever rolling stream soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.
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.
Confession
Forgiving God, you are our refuge and hope in the chaos. We repent of all the ways we turn from you. Forgive us when we are too set in our ways to be open to a new direction, or too convinced of the rightness of our own opinions to learn from someone else’s perspective. In our world with many things competing for our attention, forgive us when we are anxious and when we do not prioritize your work. Help us listen to your call and live lives grounded in your compassion for all. Amen.
Silence
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive (Hymn 347)
Herklots/Supplement to Kentucky Harmony
“Forgive our sins as we forgive,” you taught us, Lord, to pray,
But you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say.
Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease.
Then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.
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)
Malan/Havergal
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 voice, and let me sing, always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee,
Filled with messages from thee.
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
John Lemm
Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Sermon: Priorities
Dr. Scott Starbuck
Focus: “There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Response: Be Thou My Vision (Hymn 339)
Trad. Irish
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
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
Gary Guenther
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. -Luke 6:27-28
Offering: My Inmost Heart Now Raises
J.C. Bach
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: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Pachelbel
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