September 10, 2023
Prelude: Help Me to Praise God’s Goodness
Bach
Introit: The King of Glory
Israeli folk song/arr. Organ
Jill Cathey, oboe
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 24]
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
Let us worship the LORD!
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (Hymn 8)
Williams/Weissel
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here!
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart
From earthly use for heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer, and love, and joy.
Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide.
Let me Thy inner presence feel; Thy grace and love in me reveal.
Confession
God of all the earth, we celebrate your presence where we find it, both in church and outside it. Forgive us when we try to recreate a past worship experience rather than simply seeking you. Forgive us when we allow rules or practices we value to get in the way of relationships with people who are different from us. Deepen our confidence in your presence with us, and help us open our hearts to give and receive hospitality. Amen.
Silence
Who Can Ascend the Hill of God (Ps. 24:3-6)
Webber/O WALY WALY
“Who can ascend the hill of God?
And who can stand within his walls?”
“All those who have clean hands, pure heart,
And have not sworn by what is false.
All these the Lord himself will bless
And he will give them just reward.”
Such, God of Jacob, are the ones
Who seek the presence of the Lord.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Children’s Message
Sing, Believers (Ps. 24:1-6)
Hopson
Please join is singing the Refrain:
Sing, believers. Give thanks for those whose joy is in the Lord.
Embodiment: Psalm 24
Scott Starbuck
Meditation (Five Minute Silent Reflection & Note-Taking)
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.
Reflection on New Testament Shared World
of Psalm 24: 1 Corinthians 10:23-27
Scott Starbuck
Response: Psalm 24 (Hymn 177)
Duba/Israeli folk melody
Refrain:
Lift up the gates eternal, lift up your voices;
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices.
See, all the earth is God’s, its people and nations;
God built it on the deeps and laid its foundations.
They shall receive forgiveness, and have God’s blessing
If they will search for God, their Savior confessing. (Refrain)
Come, lift your voices high, be lifted to glory;
The Lord our God approaches, come, shout the story.
Who is this glorious one, for whom we are waiting?
We wait the mighty Lord, our God celebrating. (Refrain)
Come, lift your heads with joy; come, lift up your tower;
The King of glory comes in full might and power.
Who is this King of glory of whom we’re singing?
Our God, the Lord of Hosts, the victory is bringing. (Refrain)
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
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. -James 2:17
Offering Our Gifts: O Blessed Spring
Farlee/arr. Biery
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: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Freylinghausen/arr. Bender
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
