Sunday, August 26, 2007, 9:30 a.m.

22nd in Ordinary Time

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                           His Eye Is on the Sparrow                           C. Gabriel/J.

                                             Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley          Amer. Folk Hymn/J. Schrader

“Jesus walked” – “Jesus prayed” – “Jesus died” – “Jesus rose”

 

CHIMES, WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                 from Mark 1:14b-15 (Jerusalem Bible)

 

            Jesus proclaimed Good News from God, saying:

                “The time has come and the kingdom of God is close at hand.

                        Turn and believe the good news.”

            We come to turn or be turned, and to believe the good news.

 

*HYMN # 382                                                                  Somebody’s Knocking at Your Door

            *LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                             on Mark 1:15/wrl

            Jesus says, “Turn and believe the Good news.”

               

                Lord Jesus, there are many obstacles to our turning:

                        We don’t know the turns in your dance.

We’re so used to “tripping and stumbling”

that we confuse falls with turns.

                        We may not like ourselves just the way we are,

                                    but we’ve grown easy with life as we live it.

                

    Turn us, Lord, put us on new courses following you,

            that we believe your Good News,

            and find God’s kingdom close, as close as our hands.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

 

            Anyone in Christ becomes a new person altogether;

                The past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new.

            Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:

                In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

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

                Peace be with you.

(worshipers exchange words and gestures of peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

FIRST LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                               Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                           In This Very Room                                R. and C. Harris

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

            God be with you here.

                 God be with you there.     

           

SECOND LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                  Mark 4: 3-9; 35-41 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                               “’God is close…’  “How Close?”

           

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AN OFFERING TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            OFFERTORY                    All Day Sunday Singing                                       S. Pethel                 

            Commissioning of Stephen Leader – Judith Sandford

(See Litany Enclosed)

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION,

            THE LORD’S PRAYER (ecumenical)                            Hymnal P. 16, large print p. 21

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 357                                                                      O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING       

(Please be seated until the Postlude has ended.)

 

POSTLUDE                                                  Amen                                     Spiritual/J. Schrader

 

Next Week’s Scriptures: Luke 24: 44-49; Luke 11: 1-13

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Deb Bowsher

Musical Leadership

Celebration Singers

Nancy W. Deeth, Organist/Pianist