SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009

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

 

                                   WE 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                                                                                    from Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking

               Only God is holy, just as only people are human.  God’s holiness is God’s Godness.

To speak of anything else as holy is to say that it has something of God’s mark on it.

 

OPENING SENTENCES                                                                                         Mark 10:51

            Jesus said…, “What do you want me to do for you?”

                        …, “My teacher, let me see again.”

 

PRELUDE                  Lord of Glory, Who Hast Bought Us (Hyfrydol)                       P. Manz

                                         Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (Neander)                           P. Manz

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION, ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHORAL INTROIT              Sing, Rejoice, Clap Your Hands                            M. Patterson

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                         from Psalm 34: 4-5, 7-8

 

        I seek the Lord, who answers me, and delivers me from all my fears.

            Look to the Lord, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

        The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

            O taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed are those whose refuge is the Lord.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 150                                           Come, Christians, Join to Sing

     LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

* OLD TESTAMENT LESSON & CONFESSION                                   Job 42:1-6 (NRSV)

 

Job answered the Lord:

                 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

                 Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

                        things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

            ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’

                 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

                        Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

            Lord, we too know, at least with part of ourselves, that you can do all things.

Like Job we chatter about you in terms too small and casual for Holiness.

Even when our eyes see you, our human fog so persistently clouds us;

                  that we turn away from you who are Mystery

back to what we understand, foolish godlings we can master.

            You who are Mercy, forgive us,

     and show yourself again, and again, and again in Jesus Christ.

                                       (time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

*RESPONSE # 572                                                                                       Lord, Have Mercy

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

                    God can do all things.

                 In the might and mercy of Jesus Christ, God forgives.

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

                 Peace be with you.

                     (worshipers exchange words and gestures of peace and hospitality)

 

                                             WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD

 

ANTHEM                                 Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether                                H. Friedell

 

MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                        Mark 10: 46-52 (NRSV)

                                                                                                   Pew Bible New Testament p. 44

 

SERMON                                                                                                          ‘Too Big to Fail’

 

                                                 WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

 

CALL TO OFFER OURSELVES IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S GIVING

OFFERTORY                         Halle, Halleujah                               arr. J. Michniewic

            PRAYER DEDICATING LIFE TO GOD

 

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

 

                                                          WE GO TO SERVE

 

*HYMN # 288                                                                         I Sing the Mighty Power of God

 

*CHARGE

 

*BLESSING                                                                                         from reformer John Knox

 

            The Lord sanctify and bless you,

                  The Lord pour out the riches of grace upon you,

                  that you may please him and live together in holy love to your lives’ end.

            So be it.

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                        Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven                               L. Smith

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

 

                             WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgist

Michael Ludwig

Sermon/ Moment with the Young

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Carol Choir

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer – Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth – Organist/Pianist