Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2008

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time   10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

 

PRELUDE                                   Partita on Coronation                                       W. Wold

                                    Intrada – Adagio – Duo – Trumpet Finale

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CARILLON & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                         Psalm 90:1-2, 14, 17 (The Message)

        God, it seems you have been our home forever;

           long before the mountains were born,

           long before you brought earth itself to birth,

               from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come” – you are God.

        Surprise us with your love at daybreak;

                 then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.

        Let the loveliness of the Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do!

 

*HYMN # 260                                                                                          A Mighty Fortress

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                    on Matthew 22:34-40 ( from The Message) jcs

               Lord, we ask along with the Pharisees, “How should we live our lives?

                            What is your most important commandment for us?”

                 Jesus answered:

                   “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.

                   Secondly, love others as well as yourselves.”

            Lord, we confess we haven’t always loved you in this way.

                   Forgive what we have been, change us,

                      and fill us with delight to walk in your paths.

 (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 signs and words of the peace of Christ)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                            Matthew 22: 34-40 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                          This Is the Day                                                R. Lau

 

SERMON ON THE STEPS

 

LESSON FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES          Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                               “Not Getting There”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OUR GENEROSITY TO GOD’S GENEROSITY

            Call to Respond

               OFFERTORY                 O Father, God of Love                                     J. S. Bach

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

            *Prayer of Dedication

             

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

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN  # 276                                                                            Great Is Thy Faithfulness

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                Fantasy on “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”               M. Helman

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

 even though some may choose to remain seated to listen.)

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgists

Deb Bowsher

Sermon

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon on the Steps

Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Carol Choir

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano