November 6, 2022
Introit: Lift Thine Eyes (Ps. 121:1-3) from Elijah
Mendelssohn
Lisa Phillips, Carollen Ryan, Betsy Hammond
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 2]
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and his anointed.
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet. Happy are all who take refuge in him.
Let us worship the LORD!
O Worship the King (Hymn 476)
Haydn/Grant
O worship the King, all glorious above!
O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of God’s might, O sing of God’s grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
The chariots of heaven the deep thunderclouds form,
And bright is God’s path on the wings of the storm.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.
Confession
Lord of all, you grant limited authority to rulers and governments to maintain order and peace. This limited authority includes the ability to use force or fear for just rule, but we and they are broken, living in a broken world. Forgive us when government officials we have elected use power unjustly and we either cheer them on or ignore their actions. Forgive us when we, as the church, confuse our calling with theirs. Teach us a healthy relationship with government, and help us love and honor all your people. Amen.
Silence
As the Deer
Nystrom
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield; to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.
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
Let All Mortal Flesh (Hymn 5)
French Carol
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim, with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord Most High!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Betsy Hammond
Old Testament: Psalm 2
Link Here
New Testament: 1 Peter 2:17
Link Here
Response: In Christ Alone
Getty & Townend
In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
From the Barmen Declaration
Betsy Hammond
Sermon: Separate and Unequal
Together we confess:
Scripture tells us that by divine appointment the State, in this still unredeemed world in which also the Church is situated, has the task of maintaining justice and peace, so far as human discernment and human ability make this possible, by means of the threat and use of force. The Church acknowledges with gratitude and reverence toward God the benefit of this, his appointment. It draws attention to God's Dominion, God's commandment and justice, and with these the responsibility of those who rule and those who are ruled. It trusts and obeys the power of the Word, by which God upholds all things.
We reject the false doctrine that beyond its special commission the State should and could become the sole and total order of human life and so fulfill the vocation of the Church as well.
We reject the false doctrine that beyond its special commission the Church should and could take on the nature, tasks and dignity which belong to the State and thus become itself an organ of the State.
Response: God, Bless Your Church with Strength! (Hymn 418)
Dalles/DIADEMATA
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 life! May all our branches thrive,
Unblemished, wholesome, bearing fruit, abundantly alive.
From You, one holy vine, in freedom may we grow;
Sustain us in our mission, Lord, your love and peace to show.
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!
Communion
Communion Music: Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face
Bonar/Trad. Manx Melody
Carollen Ryan, Betsy Hammond, Steve Goodner, Jim Price
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Scott Starbuck
…for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on. -Luke 21:4
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: If You Will Trust in God to Guide You
Bach
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