SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

                                       The Rule of Christ & Thanksgiving Sunday

                                                November 22, 2009    10:30 a.m.

 

                                       COME TOGETHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE

                       Music in preparation for worship draws the people of God from wherever we are

                                  Into God’s presence. You’re invited to remain silent during this time.

 

IN SILENCE                                                                                       a prayer of thanks, Chalice Worship, 183

            Let us gather together in thanksgiving to God;

for God has made us and this earth which gives us nurture.

Let us gather together in gratitude to one another;

for we are bearers of God’s blessing and love for the earth and to all people.

Let us praise God; let us join hands; let us reach out in care and courage

so that the goodness of life may be for all God’s children.

 

OPENING SENTENCES                                                                                 on 2 Samuel 23

          David, Israel’s greatest king, finishes a forty-year rule with these words:

                 One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God,

                        is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning

                        gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.

 

PRELUDE                     Now Thank We All Our God (Trumpet Tune)                 M. Helman

                                                      Prelude on “Netherlands”                                         B. Fisk

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION, ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                        from Call to Worship, 42.1

               Response:  Let the faithful shout for joy!

            Grace and peace to you, from Jesus, the Risen One.  R

            Grace and peace to you, from the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last.  R

            Grace and peace to you, from the One who brings new heaven and new earth.  R

            Grace and peace to you, from Jesus, both Lamb and Lion.  R

            Grace and peace to you from Jesus, risen to rule with God over all things.  R

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 555                                             Now Thank We All Our God

     LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                                      on John 18:33-37/wrl

               We know, Lord, what your rule over and among us should look like:

                 Power in forgiveness and service.

     Love governing relationships, instead of condemnation.

                 Citizens acting with justice and mercy, attending to the needs of others.

                 Acts of our lives matching words of our lips.

                 Tenderness, not terror, prevailing.

            Forgive our loyalty and service to earthly powers, Lord,

and claim us as people who belong to truth.

                               (time for personal, silent confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

            As a father mothers children, the Lord loves those in awe of him.

                 God takes our sin farther away from than east is from west.

            Believe God’s good news and generous mercies:

                 In Jesus Christ we are observed and forgiven. 

*RESPONSE # 579                                                                             Glory Be to the Father

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

             Peace be with you.

                     (worshipers exchange words and gestures of peace and hospitality)

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

A LESSON OF THANKSGIVING                                      Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)

                                                                                                 Pew Bible New Testament p. 183

 

ANTHEM                                    A Prayer for the Children                                       B. Printz

 

MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                       John 18: 33-37 (NRSV)

                                                                                        Pew Bible New Testament pp. 106-07

 

SERMON                                                                                                      “Out of this world”

 

                                                 RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

CALL TO RESPOND & OFFERING OUR ALL TO GOD’S PURPOSES

 

 OFFERTORY                Come, Ye Thankful People, Come                                    L. Larson

         From Hymnal # 551 Congregation sings Verses 1, 2 & 4 – Choir only sings Verse 3

 

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

*PRAYER DEDICATING OUR GIFTS AND LIFE TOGETHER

 

PRAYER GIVING THANKS & ASKING

          THE LORD’S PRAYER (Ecumenical)                                                     Hymnal p. 16

 

                                          WE GO IN GOD’S NAME TO SERVE

 

*HYMN # 559                                                                                           We Gather Together

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                           Praise to the Lord, the Almighty                                J. Walther

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

 

                             WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgist

Rev. Michael Ludwig

Moment with the Young

Hope Boring

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Carol & Chancel Choirs

Sarah Shaffer – Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth – Organist/Pianist

 

                                                  IN MEMORIAM
                                            Elder Norman M. Spain
                                            October 22, 1914 – November 18, 2009

 

                                                “I am the resurrection and the life.

                                 Those who believe in me, though they die, will live.”

                                                                 -John 11: 25