SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 24, 2006, 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

During Today’s Prelude Keep Silence.

 

PRELUDE                              I Know that My Redeemer Lives                         arr. G. Shearing                                       

                                                          How Great Thou Art                                      arr. R. Hobby

 

CARILLON & ANNOUNCEMENTS

            MINUTE FOR PEACEMAKING OFFERING

 

CHORAL INTROIT             Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult (Stanza 1)                     W. Jude

            LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE                                                         

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                         on James 3:18/wrl

“A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”

      We gather asking for peace with God

                  and to make peace with one another and in the world:

Peace with neighbor, peace with stranger, peace with enemy;

      Hoping for God’s promised harvest of righteousness.

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

      Peace be with you.

(worshipers share words and gestures of the peace of Christ)

 

*HYMN  # 386                                                                                                        O for a World           

                                 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                                    on Mark 9:50/wrl

                Jesus says, “…be at peace with one another…”

     I have to wonder, Jesus, if you have any feel for what you’re commanding

                     when you say,    “Be at peace with one another.” 

      I don’t hear any of the qualifiers I wish you’d add: 

“if you can;” “if you will;”

“unless you’re too uncomfortable with one another;”

“unless you can’t speak the same language, adopt the same values,

  fly the same flag….” 

      “Peace with one another” is rarely as easy as agreement, Lord;

      easier to ignore one another! 

      Help us hear you again and anew, Lord, and offer our lives to your purpose.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

                   

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE                                  

            Because we have peace with God, we are at peace with one another.

                  Because God has made peace with us, we are at peace in our forgiveness.

            As forgiven people we are forgiving people.

                  Thank God!

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                           James 3: 13 –  4: 3, 7-8a (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                    Come on Down, Zaccaeus                                     arr. R. Leaf                                   

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                         Mark 9: 30—38 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                                “How Great?”                                                   

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S AUTHORITY

Call to Respond

Offertory                           His Eye Is on the Sparrow                   C. Gabriel/R. Schram

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

*Prayer of Dedication

 

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND INTERCESSION

      THE LORD’S PRAYER  (Traditional)                                                            Hymnal P. 16

 

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 368                                                                                  I’ve Got Peace Like a River

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

CHORAL RESPONSE # 586                                                                                            Amen

 

POSTLUDE                                   Lead On, O King Eternal!               H. Smart/R. Thygerson                                 

*Congregation stands as able   

 

Lessons for October 1, World Communion Sunday: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50.

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgist 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Carol Choir

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist