SERVICE FOR 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

                                                     June 14, 2009, 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                  GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

            The music in preparation for worship is intended to draw the people of God from the outside

                       world into the presence of God. You’re invited to remain silent during this time.

 

FOR SILENT MEDITATION

            Doctor,

               if only you could see

               how heaven pulls earth into its arms

               and how infinitely the heart expands

               to claim this world, blue vapor without end.

                                                                                                    from Lisel Mueller, Monet Refuses the Operation

 

OPENING SENTENCES & PRELUDE                                         from Call to Worship 42.1                                                                            

God sees with Holy eyes,

     not what the world sees, but what God sees.

 

                                                          March                                                  F. J. Haydn

                                                        Fanfare                                                F. Lemmens

                                                                       

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS & REGISTRATION

 

CHORAL INTROIT & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                        from Call to Worship 42.1

 

            God sees with Holy eyes,

                 little things becoming great things through faith.

            God sees with Holy eyes,

                 and our lives become a test of faith,

     not knowing the end, but trusting the journey.

God sees with Holy eyes,

     and the love of Christ urges us forward, to live as God calls.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 276                                                 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE on 1 Samuel 16:7b & 1 Corinthians 13:12a           wrl        

            The apostle writes to Corinthian Christians:  “now we see in a mirror dimly.”

And God says to Samuel:  “The Lord does not see as mortals see;

            they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

 

            Lord, with our eyes we draw a bead on outward appearances;

            And become unreliable reporters to ourselves, to others and to you.

            We overlook depths, and make judgments born of shallowness.

 

            Forgive us. Give us eyes of faith, to see with you into the heart of things,

            and courage to walk your vision,

            and to trust your guidance when our vision fails.

                                      (time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

           

            The Lord looks on the heart, and sees us in the depth of love and mercy.

            Coming whole-heartedly before God, we are made whole by God.

                 Our thanks for God’s vision and grace.

            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

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                               Mark 8: 22-26 (NRSV)

                                                                                                 Pew Bible New Testament p. 41

 

ANTHEM                                 Sing to the Lord a New Song                               C. Courtney

 

MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 & 14-17(NRSV)

                                                                                               Pew Bible New Testament p. 170

 

SERMON                                                                                                          “’clear as mud’”

 

 

                                                RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S VISION

            Call to Respond

               OFFERTORY                      Soon and Very Soon                     A. Crouch/J. Schrader

            RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES

            PRAYER DEDICATING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

 

PRAYERS THANKING AND ASKING GOD, THE LORD’S PRAYER     Hymnal p. 16

 

                                                   GO INTO GOD’S WORLD

 

*HYMN # 341                                                                    Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!

 

*CHARGE

 

*CHORAL BLESSING                     A Gaelic Blessing                                               J. Rutter

 

POSTLUDE                    Toccata on “How Firm a Foundation                              G. Young

                   (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                            WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                       WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Jonathan Siehl

Sermon/Moment with the Young

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano

Concerned Deacon

Lorie Ellett