WELCOME
PRELUDE Celtic Foundation – Keveren
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: As we worship, the God of love embraces us with grace.
People: Here the God of life fashions a new world and creates a new reality.
Leader: The God of justice summons us to create a world of equality and peace.
People: The God of compassion calls us to care for the needy, the neglected, and the
neighbor.
Leader: The God of light illumines us with new vision and insight.
People: The God of truth enlightens us with wisdom and understanding.
*HYMN OF PRAISE God, You Spin the Whirling Planets #285
God You spin the whirling planets, Fill the seas and spread the plain,
Mold the mountains, fashion blossoms, Call forth sunshine, wind, and rain.
We, created in Your image, Would a true reflection be
Of Your justice grace and mercy And the truth that makes us free.
You have called us to be faithful In our life and ministry.
We respond in grateful worship Joined in one community.
When we blur Your gracious image, Focus us and make us whole.
Healed and strengthened as Your people, We move onward toward Your goal.
God, Your word is still creating, Calling us to life made new.
Now reveal to us fresh vistas Where there’s work to dare and do.
Keep us clear of all distortion. Polish us with loving care.
Thus, new creatures in Your image, We’ll proclaim Christ everywhere.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Holy God, as we reflect on the way we have lived,
we confess that we have tried to hide the consequences of our sin.
We have praised You with our words but denied You with our actions.
By ignoring Your teaching, we have made unwise choices.
In our reluctance to follow You, we have caused other people to stumble.
Forgive us, Lord, and restore to us the joy of Your salvation.
Renew us through Your grace,
so that we may live according to Your truth that sets us free,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from 1 Timothy 1:14-15)
Leader: The grace of our Lord has overflowed for us with the faith and love that are in
Christ Jesus.
People: The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY Gennesaret Support Services
SCRIPTURE Proverbs 2:1-11
1 My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding;
4 if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures —
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,
8 guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 prudence will watch over you; and understanding will guard you.
SCRIPTURE Psalm 82:1-8
1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.”
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!
MEDITATION Cross Examination
ANTHEM His Eye Is on the Sparrow – Martin/Gabriel
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (tune: Hyfrydol) The Apostles’ Creed
We believe in God the Father, God almighty, by whose plan
earth and heaven sprang to being, all created things began.
We believe in Christ the Savior, Son of God in human frame,
virgin-born, the child of Mary upon whom the Spirit came.
Christ, who on the cross forsaken, like a lamb to slaughter led,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, he descended to the dead.
We believe in Jesus risen, heaven’s king to rule and reign,
to the Father’s side ascended till as judge he comes again.
We believe in God the Spirit; in one Church, below, above:
saints of God in one communion, one in holiness and love.
So by faith, our sins forgiven, Christ our Savior, Lord and friend,
we shall rise with him in glory to the life that knows no end.
– text by Timothy Dudley Smith
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND AN ALTERNATE FORM OF THE LORD’S PRAYER
. . . Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
May the hallowing of Your name echo through the universe!
May the way of Your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
May Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
May Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For You reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
– adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book
INVITATION TO GIVE
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Loving God, whose gifts of grace are offered to all of Your children,
as we seek to embody Your attributes of joy and generosity,
grant that our offerings would reveal our gratitude for the grace You
have shared with us.
Utilize these gifts that we bring
to impact the greater mission of the church,
to extend the kindness and care that You taught,
and to demonstrate the life-changing love of Jesus Christ our Lord,
in whose name we pray. Amen.
*HYMN O for a World #386
O for a world where everyone Respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done With justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared And misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, Equality achieved.
We welcome one world family And struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity And gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich, the weak are strong, The foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn, outcasts belong, Who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, And all but love will cease.
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE I’ve Got Peace Like a River – Hayes