Proper 24 – October 17, 2021 – 10:00 AM
Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.
Prelude “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” by George Duffield
Welcome, Announcements, and Prayer Requests
Introit “God Welcomes All” Candle
*Call to Worship (Ps. 91:9–16)—Liturgist: Please stand as you are able and join me in the call to worship
Leader: The Lord is our dwelling place,
People: a home of peace and plenty.
Leader: The Lord is our dwelling place,
People: a refuge when trouble is near.
Leader: The Lord is our dwelling place,
People: a temple that will stand forever.
Leader: Let us worship God!
*Hymn #741 Guide My Feet” Ribbon
1 Guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!
2. Hold my hand…
3. Stand by me…
4. I’m your child…
5. Guide my feet…
Call to Confession--Liturgist: Please be seated
Like sheep we all have gone astray, but like a faithful, loving shepherd, God seeks us out and calls us home. Let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession Cross
Lord Jesus Christ, you know our sin. We want you to do whatever we ask of you, but we are unwilling to do what you ask of us. We want to sit beside you in your glory, but we fail to stand beside you in your suffering. We want to be first in your great kingdom, but we are among the last to serve the least. Forgive us. Pour out your mercy upon us and wash us clean in your saving grace. All this we ask in your holy name. Amen.
(Silence for Personal Confession)
Assurance of Pardon
Hymn #582 “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me” Ribbon
Passing of the Peace
The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination--Liturgist Cross
Holy Spirit, open our hearts to the story of your love, open our minds to new ways of knowing you, and open our doors to all whom you would welcome. Amen.
The First Reading--Isaiah 53:4-12 (CEB) Notepad
4 It was certainly our sickness that he carried,
and our sufferings that he bore,
but we thought him afflicted,
struck down by God and tormented.
5 He was pierced because of our rebellions
and crushed because of our crimes.
He bore the punishment that made us whole;
by his wounds we are healed.
6 Like sheep we had all wandered away,
each going its own way,
but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.
7 He was oppressed and tormented,
but didn’t open his mouth.
Like a lamb being brought to slaughter,
like a ewe silent before her shearers,
he didn’t open his mouth.
8 Due to an unjust ruling he was taken away,
and his fate—who will think about it?
He was eliminated from the land of the living,
struck dead because of my people’s rebellion.
9 His grave was among the wicked,
his tomb with evildoers,
though he had done no violence,
and had spoken nothing false.
10 But the Lord wanted to crush him
and to make him suffer.
If his life is offered as restitution,
he will see his offspring; he will enjoy long life.
The Lord’s plans will come to fruition through him.
11 After his deep anguish he will see light, and he will be satisfied.
Through his knowledge, the righteous one, my servant,
will make many righteous,
and will bear their guilt.
12 Therefore, I will give him a share with the great,
and he will divide the spoil with the strong,
in return for exposing his life to death
and being numbered with rebels,
though he carried the sin of many
and pleaded on behalf of those who rebelled.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Talk With Children Erin Wise
Hymn #188 “Jesus Loves Me”
The Gospel Reading—Mark 10:35-45 (CEB) Notepad
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”
38 Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, 40 but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon The Upside-Down Kingdom-Where the Great Serve Notepad
Hymn #320 “The Church of Christ in Every Age” Ribbon
1 The church of Christ in every age,
beset by change but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.
2 Across the world, across the street,
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live before they die.
3 Then let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ's sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ's humanity.
4 For Christ alone, whose blood was shed,
can cure the fever in our blood,
and teach us how to share our bread
and feed the starving multitude.
5 We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord:
to care for all, without reserve,
and spread Christ's liberating word.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to the Offering--Jesus said: Those who wish to be great must become servants to all. With humility and hope let us offer the gifts of our lives to the Lord.
Offering Notepad
Offertory “Amazing Grace” arranged by Ed Lojeski
*Hymn #606 “The Doxology” Ribbon
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication--Liturgist Cross
Holy God, we give you thanks for all your gifts of goodness and grace. Receive these gifts from our hands as a sacrifice of praise to you and teach us to honor you each day by our obedience to your will; through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
*Hymn #728 “Somebody’s Knocking at Your Door” Ribbon
Somebody's knocking at your door;
somebody's knocking at your door;
O sinner, why don't you answer?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
1 Knocks like Jesus.
Somebody's knocking at your door.
Knocks like Jesus.
Somebody's knocking at your door.
O sinner, why don't you answer?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
2 Can't you hear him?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
Can't you hear him?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
O sinner, why don't you answer?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
3 Answer Jesus.
Somebody's knocking at your door.
Answer Jesus.
Somebody's knocking at your door.
O sinner, why don't you answer?
Somebody's knocking at your door.
Postlude “The Preacher” by Horace Silver
Portions of today’s liturgy were reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2014.
Assisting in Worship Today:
Cherie Brooks – Director of Music
Katie Wynkoop – Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music
Gail Griffin – Liturgist
Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries
The Chancel Choir
Dave Powers- Piano and Vocals
Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist
Rev. Joel A. Esala – Pastor