Bulletins - Covenant Presbyterian Church UA

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Peace Sunday

September 18, 2022 – 10am

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

PRELUDE “Christians, We Have Met to Worship” arranged by Hayes

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: O God, who called all life into being

People: The earth, sea and sky are yours.

Leader: Your presence is all around us,

People: Every atom is full of your energy.

Leader: Your Spirit enlivens all who walk the earth,

People: With her, we yearn for justice to be done,

Leader: For creation to be freed from bondage,

People: For the hungry to be fed,

Leader: For the captives to be released,

People: For your kingdom of peace to come on earth.

*HYMN 357 “The Days Are Surely Coming” (verses 1-3) Ribbon

1 The days are surely coming,

says God to all the earth,

when you will see my promise:

salvation come to birth.

My righteousness and justice

will spread throughout the land

and you will be delivered

by my almighty hand.

2 The days are surely coming,

says Christ, the promised one,

when you will read my warning

in moon and stars and sun.

Though earth and heaven tremble,

stand up and do not fear,

for I am your redeemer,

and I am drawing near.

3 The days are surely coming

when we will know at last

the fullness of God’s presence,

God’s promise, come to pass.

Then righteousness and justice

will spread throughout the land

and we will be delivered

by God’s almighty hand.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Cross

O God, gladly we live and move and have our being in you.

Yet always in the midst of this creation-glory,

we see sin’s shadow and feel death’s darkness:

around us in the earth, sea and sky, the abuse of matter;

beside us in the broken, the hungry and the poor,

the betrayal of one another;

and often, deep within us, a striving against your Spirit.

O Trinity of love,

forgive us that we may forgive one another,

heal us that we may be a people of healing,

and renew us that we also may be makers of peace.

(Silence for personal confession)

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

HYMN #447 “We Are Forgiven!” Ribbon

We are forgiven! We are forgiven!

Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God!

PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.

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 Micah 6:1-8 (NRSV)

Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV)

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

PRAYER OF THE DAY †

Destitute king,

one with the hungry,

the naked and the scorned:

may our faith be proved

not in dogma and piety

but in serving you

in the last and the least;

through Jesus Christ, the stranger’s Lord.

Amen.

SERMON The Rev. Fursan Zu’mot

*HYMN 852 “When the Lord Redeems the Very Least” (verses 1-3) Ribbon

1 When the Lord redeems the very least,

we will rejoice.

When the hungry gather for the feast,

we will rejoice.

Refrain:

We will rejoice with gladness.

We will rejoice.

All our days we’ll sing to God in praise.

We will rejoice!

2 When the Lord restores the sick and weak,

we will rejoice.

When the earth is given to the meek,

we will rejoice. (Refrain)

3 When the Lord revives the world from death,

we will rejoice.

When the word of God fills every breath,

we will rejoice. (Refrain)

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 “There is a Balm in Gilead” arranged by William Dawson

*DOXOLOGY #606 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 Cross

*HYMN #769 “For Everyone Born” (verses 1, 2, 5) Ribbon

1 For everyone born, a place at the table,

for everyone born, clean water and bread,

a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,

for everyone born, a star overhead,

Refrain:

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

2 For woman and man, a place at the table,

revising the roles, deciding the share,

with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,

for woman and man, a system that's fair, [Refrain]

5 For everyone born, a place at the table,

to live without fear, and simply to be,

to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,

for everyone born, the right to be free, [Refrain]

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Reprise of “For Everyone Born”

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

Assisting in Worship Today:

The Rev. Fursan Zu’mot-Guest Preacher

Dana Rudmose–Liturgist

Brian Gray-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