Bulletins - Covenant Presbyterian Church UA

Covenant Presbyterian Church

August 21, 2022 – 10am

Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.

PRELUDE “Rondo” attributed to John Bull

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The Lord will guide you continuously and satisfy your needs in parched places;

People: you shall be like a watered garden, whose spring never fails.

Leader: With thanksgiving and praise, let us worship God.

*HYMN 35 “Praise Ye, the Lord, the Almighty” (verses 1-3) Ribbon

1 Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear,

now to his temple draw near;

join me in glad adoration!

2 Praise ye the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,

shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen

how thy desires e'er have been

granted in what he ordaineth?

3 Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the amen

sound from his people again;

gladly for aye we adore him.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Cross

God of Life,

you call us to serve you with praise and thanksgiving.

But we forget,

and yield to fear.

We neglect your promises.

We confess that we are a divided people

in our families, our communities, and in the world.

Open us to your healing.

Give us your grace

and inspire us to serve you with courage;

through Jesus Christ who comes to save. Amen.

(Silence for personal confession)

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

HYMN #582 “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me” (verses 1-2) Ribbon

1 Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,

and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,

and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

2 World without end, without end. Amen.

World without end, without end. Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

HYMN #188 “Jesus Loves Me” (verses 1-2)

1 Jesus loves me! This I know,

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong.

They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

2 Jesus loves me! This I know,

as he loved so long ago,

taking children on his knee, saying,

"Let them come to me."

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

TALK WITH CHILDREN

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Cross

THE FIRST READING Isaiah 58:9b-14 (NRSVUE)

Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL READING Luke 13:10-17 (NRSVUE)

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

PRAYER OF THE DAY †

God of the Sabbath,

this is the day

and this is the hour

when women long oppressed

learn to stand with dignity,

when your healing escapes

our desire for control:

may your joy stretch the fabric of our hearts

and inspire us to loose each other’s bonds;

through Jesus Christ,

the shamer of the powerful

and raiser of the dead. Amen.

SERMON The Big Table: Being Seen

HYMN #359 “Freedom is Coming”

Soprano line:

O freedom, O freedom, O freedom.

O Jesus, O Jesus, O Jesus.

O yes, I know. O yes, I know.

O yes, I know.

Lower three parts:

Freedom is coming.

Freedom is coming. Freedom is coming.

O yes, I know.

Jesus is coming.

Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming.

O yes, I know.

O yes, I know. O yes, I know.

It is widely recognized that music played a highly significant role in the effectiveness of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, and this song is an important reminder that oppressed people everywhere experience a close correlation between political and spiritual freedom.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)

PRESENTATION OF OFFERING

OFFERTORY “Healer Words” by Hall, West and Mosley

*DOXOLOGY #606

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 Cross

*HYMN #795 “Healer of Our Every Ill” (verses 1-4) Ribbon

Refrain:

Healer of our every ill,

light of each tomorrow,

give us peace beyond our fear,

and hope beyond our sorrow.

1 You who know our fears and sadness,

grace us with your peace and gladness;

Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. [Refrain]

2 In the pain and joy beholding

how your grace is still unfolding,

give us all your vision, God of love. [Refrain]

3 Give us strength to love each other,

every sister, every brother;

Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. [Refrain]

4 You who know each thought and feeling,

teach us all your way of healing;

Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. [Refrain]

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Reprise of “Healer of Our Every Ill”

† From Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. New York: Church Publishing, 2009

Assisting in Worship Today:

Beth Askue–Liturgist

Jason Guthrie–Vocalist

Cherie Brooks – Director of Music & Technology

Katie Wynkoop–Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music

Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries

Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist

Rev. Joel A. Esala – Pastor