SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 23, 2005 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME                                                                                 

 

CARILLON, WELCOME, REGISTRATION, ANNOUNCEMENTS                                            

  

PRELUDE                                       Like a River Glorious                                     arr. J. Raney                                            

 

CHORAL INTROIT               How Majestic Is Your Name                                 M. Patterson

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP on Psalm 90                           from Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Life

 

You, O God, have been our dwelling place,

   when we feel lost in the world.

You O God, have been our spiritual home,

   when we feel all alone.

You, O God, have been our hiding place,

   when we’re afraid.

You, O God, have been our shepherd looking for a lost sheep,

   when our hearts are seeking meaning.

You, O God, have been faithful in all generations,

   when we feel insecure about faith.

Let us worship God with all our hearts and minds.

 

*LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

                       

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 210                                        Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                               on Psalm 90: 1/wrl

 

God our dwelling:

we confess we’re more at home elsewhere than with you—

in company with friend or family or workers,

with the Friday night gang, or at home in our own minds or ways,

or at home in America.

 

Call us again, Lord, as a parent calls playing children

when street lights come on, “Come home,”

and give us the sense of belonging,

that will take us, bring us, home to you, in Christ.

 (time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE

            God is our home in all generations. God is the first to know us,

first to forgive, and first to welcome.

   Thanks be to God.

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Peace be with you.

(Worshipers greet one another with words and gestures of peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                          1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8 (NRSV)

  

ANTHEM                                         Feed My Lambs                             D. Collins/M. Wolka

(Congregation joins in singing – See Insert)

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                               Matthew 22: 34-46 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                    “’Teacher, teacher, ‘…the greatest?’”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call for response

            Offertory                                   Stand By Me                                     arr. L. Shackley

            *Response # 592                                  Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Prayer of Dedication                          

 

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND INTERCESSION, THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                     

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 367                                                                  Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love                                                               

 

*CHARGE                                                                     from Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Life

 

            Go into the world a caring witness.

May your witness bring joy.

   May the joy inspire faith.

May the faith foster greater love.

   May the love encourage caring witness.

 

*BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                          Our God, Our Help in Ages Past                              H. Fleischer                              

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Script. Readings: Josh. 3: 7-17; Ps. 107: 1-7; 1 Thess. 2: 9-13; Matt. 23: 1-12

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists 

Rev. Linda McClanahan, Diane Kier

Sermon

Reverend William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Carol Choir

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PRAYER                                               Reverend Jonathan C. Siehl

 

Creator God, you mint us in your image. You press into our being a spirit that mirrors your Spirit. Give us discernment to nurture impressions of spirit, to seek in the murky depths of our being stirrings of the spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In generosity, we spend a coin of the realm in your kingdom. Turn your Spirit in us loose in your realm, that love may abound, Turn your Spirit in us loose in your kingdom here and now, that generosity may abound. Free up your spirit of generosity in us, that we may give our material wealth with abandon, for your kingdom in this church, in this city, in this place. Amen.