September 8, 2024
Prelude: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Thomerson, arr. Behnke
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 146]
Praise the Lord! Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.
Let us worship the LORD!
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Hymn 417)
7th century, Latin/Smart
Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the church in one;
Holy Zion’s help forever, and our confidence alone.
To this temple, where we call you, come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With your wonted loving kindness hear your people as they pray,
And your fullest benediction shed within its walls alway.
Laud and honor to the Father, Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit, ever three and ever one;
One in might and one in glory while unending ages run.
Confession
We praise you, O Lord, when we have experienced your goodness and compassion. In times of uncertainty, forgive us when we look to human leaders for solutions and direction. Grow our faith and keep us willing to be surprised by you all our lives. Knowing that you care for the vulnerable, help us embrace our own vulnerabilities rather than hiding or fighting them. Now and forever, our hope is in you. Amen.
Silence
Blessed Assurance (Hymn 341)
Crosby/Knapp
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(refrain)
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
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (Hymn 446)
Haydn/Newton
Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
God, whose word cannot be broken, formed thee for a blest abode.
On the rock of ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded, thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord the giver, never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hovering, see the cloud and fire appear
For a glory and a covering, showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna which God gives them when they pray.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Lemm
Old Testament: Psalm 146
New Testament: Revelation 21:1-7
Sermon: “One Day We’ll All Understand” (The Apostles’ Creed, Week 8)
Rev. John Owen
Focus: “Faith seeking understanding,” in the words of St Anselm, is our hope. In the meantime, “wax on, wax off…breathe in, breathe out” can help us remember that we are called to live and serve in the present in humility, joy and confidence, because our future is assured through the grace and providence of God.”
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Response: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Thomerson
I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain:
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.
(Refrain)
I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus.
(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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Gary Guenther
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
-Psalm 8:4
Offering: We Fall Down
Tomlin
“And we cry Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb”
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: Prelude and Fugue in A minor
attr. Bach
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