Service for the Lord’s Day, November 16, 2008

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time   10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

 

PRELUDE                             Arioso from Cantata No. 156                                 J. S. Bach

                            Ave Maria (Adapted from J. S. Bach’s Prelude in C)             C. Gounod

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spotlight on Mission                                                                              Karen Freudenreich

CARILLON, CHORAL INTROIT & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER IN GOD’S PRESENCE                from Psalm 138:1-2

(The Message:  the Bible in Contemporary Language)

            Thank you, Lord!

                 Everything in me says, "Thank you!"

                 Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

            I stand in worship facing you.

                 And say it again:  "Thank you!"

                 Thank you for your love, for your faithfulness.

                 Most holy is your name; most holy is your Word.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 421                             The Church of Christ in Every Age

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                     from Call to Worship

 

            Almighty One: you name us and claim us and make us children of light.

            Yet we make darkness our home

            and settle for the seeming security and comforts of home,

            where our talents may be tucked away, our gifts preserved, but paralyzed.

            You call us to live in faith, investing in the world you made-

            to exercise our gifts, even at the risk of losing them.

            Have mercy on us, Lord.

            Help us understand your will for us.

            Make us bold stewards of the gifts you have entrusted,

            so that one day we may fully enter your joy in Jesus Christ.

(time for silent, personal confession)   Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE                           from Psalm 103

            As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is God’s love to those who fear him.

                 And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.

            As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.

                 Thank God for love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.   

 

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

                 Peace be with you.

(worshipers exchange signs and words of the peace of Christ)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

ANTHEM                                      Always By Our Side             M. Burrows/M. McDonald

(Father, hear the prayer we offer: not for ease our prayer shall be,

but for strength that we may ever live our lives courageously.

Be our strength in times of weakness, in our wand’rings, be our guide;

through each danger and endeavor, be always by our side.

Not for ever in green pastures do we ask our way to be,

but the steep and rugged pathway, may we walk rejoicingly.

Be our strength in times of weakness, in our wand’rings, be our guide;

through each danger and endeavor, be always by our side.

Not for ever by still waters would we idly rest and stay,

but would draw the living fountains from the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in times of weakness, in our wand’rings, be our guide.

Through each danger and endeavor, always be by our side.)

 

SERMON ON THE STEPS

 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

            Statement on the gift of baptism

            Thanksgiving over the water

Promises of Parents

            Promises of the congregation

            Baptism and Welcome

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                   Matthew 25: 14-30 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                                  "Credit"

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OUR GENEROSITY TO GOD’S GENEROSITY

            Call to Respond

               OFFERTORY                 Ain’t Got Time to Die                                    H. Johnson

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

           *PRAYER DEDICATING OURSELVES TO GOD

 

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND ASKING, THE LORD’S PRAYER         Hymnal p. 16

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 428                                                                       We Give Thee but Thine Own

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                                 Fantasy in C Major                                          J. S. Bach

(Please feel free to leave quietly at beginning of Postlude,

 even though some choose to remain seated to listen.)

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Sermon on the Steps

Hope Boring

Musical Leadership

Steve Wedell, Viola

Chancel Choir

Amy Christie, Flute

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster & Soloist

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano

Concerned Deacon

Sandy Felver