January 26, 2025
Prelude: Adagio in Db
Liszt
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 126]
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Let us worship the LORD!
God Is Here (Hymn 461)
Green/Taylor
God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit; here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive:
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
Confession
Way-making God, you quench the might of armies and provide nourishment in desolate places; you overturn our notions of power and possibility. Forgive us for trying to fit you into our old patterns, when you are more interested in freeing us from them. Forgive us when we are afraid to follow you into new understanding and practices. Grant us courage to continue the learning process, even when we make mistakes. Fill us with the abundant love of Christ until all is made new. Amen.
Silence
Restore in Us, O God
Daw/Hopson
Restore in us, O God, the splendor of your love;
Renew your image in our hearts, and all our sins remove.
O Spirit, wake in us the wonder of your power;
From fruitless fear unfurl our lives like spring-time bud and flower.
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.
Welcome New Members
God, Bless Your Church with Strength!
(sung to “This Is My Father’s World”)
Dalles/Sheppard
God, bless your church with strength! Wherever we may be,
Upbuild Your servants as we work in common ministry.
Urge us from fledgling faith to venture and to soar
Through open skies, to sing the praise of Christ whom we adore.
God, bless Your church with hope! Despite chaotic days,
May we in chaos shine to light a pathway through life’s maze.
May justice be our aim, and kindness ours to share,
In humbleness O may we walk, assured our God is there!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Kevin Grieves
Old Testament: Isaiah 43:16-21
New Testament: Luke 5:36-39
Sermon: Live into the New
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” -Albert Einstein
Response: Live Into Hope (Hymn 332)
Williams/Huber
Live into hope of captives freed, of sight regained, the end of greed.
The oppressed shall be the first to see the year of God’s own jubilee!
Live into hope the blind shall see with insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear – a vision of our God brought near.
Live into hope of liberty, the right to speak, the right to be,
The right to have one’s daily bread, to hear God’s word and thus be fed.
Live into hope of captives freed from chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release to faith and hope and joy and peace.
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
Mila Russell
Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” -Genesis 21:6-7
Offering: Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
Wood/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: Lord, Revive Us
Early American Tune/Paxton
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
