September 15, 2024
Prelude: O Come and Sing Unto the Lord
IRISH, arr. Wood
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 19]
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day they pour forth speech, and night to night they declare knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Let us worship the LORD!
Our God, to Whom We Turn
Grubb/Crüger
Our God to whom we turn when weary with illusion,
Whose stars serenely burn above this earth’s confusion,
Thine is the mighty plan, the steadfast order sure,
In which the world began, endures, and shall endure.
Thou art Thyself the truth; though we, who fain would find Thee,
Have tried, with thoughts uncouth, in feeble words to bind Thee,
It is because Thou art we’re driven to the quest;
Till truth from falsehood part, our souls can find no rest.
Thou hidden fount of love, of peace, and truth, and beauty,
Inspire us from above with joy and strength for duty;
May Thy fresh light arise within each clouded heart,
And give us open eyes to see Thee as Thou art.
Confession
God of peace, as your children, we can accomplish much when we work together as one people with a common purpose. Yet we know that our country is full of division. In the midst of chaos and confusion, we long for what is comfortable and known. Forgive us when we are eager to speak but unwilling to listen to others. Forgive us when we do not take time to understand. Help us build one another up, that we might share healing and reconciliation with the world. Amen.
Silence
Now Praise the Lord
Anderson/Gläser
Now praise the Lord, all living saints, sing praises that endure.
Our children God does surely bless, our future is secure.
Your life-filled Word brings order to the chaos of our days.
In love You claim us as Your own; what better cause for praise?
No other people are so graced, no nation is so blest,
As those who know God’s living Word and this one name confess.
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
O God in Whom All Life Begins
Daw/English melody
O God in whom all life begins, who births the seed to fruit,
Bestow your blessing on our lives; here let your love find root.
Bring forth in us the Spirit’s gifts of patience, joy, and peace;
Deliver us from numbing fear, and grant our faith increase.
Unite in mutual ministry our minds and hands and hearts
That we may have the grace to seek the power your peace imparts.
So let our varied gifts combine to glorify your Name
That in all things by word and deed we may your love proclaim.
Through tears and laughter, grief and joy, enlarge our trust and care;
So bind us in community that we may risk and dare.
Be with us when we gather here to worship, sing, and pray;
Then send us forth in power and faith to live the words we say.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Genesis 11:1-9
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
Sermon: Living in a Land of Confusion
Scott Starbuck
Focus: For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Response: Song Without Words (Confidence)
Mendelssohn
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
Shelly Owen
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. -James 2:17
Offering: Be Still and Know That I Am God
Bell
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: Song Without Words (Faith)
Mendelssohn
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