Covenant Presbyterian Church
September 25, 2022 – 10am
Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.
PRELUDE “Variations on How Firm a Foundation” by Linker
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord
their God.
People: The Lord keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
Leader: The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord
lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
People: The Lord God reigns forever, for all generations.
Leader: Praise the Lord!
*HYMN 16 “O That I Had a Thousand Voices” (verses 1-2) Ribbon
1 O that I had a thousand voices
to praise my God with thousand tongues!
My heart, which in the Lord rejoices,
would then proclaim in grateful songs
to all, wherever I might be,
what great things God has done for me!
2 Let every power in me implanted,
arise, keep silence now no more;
put forth the strength that God has granted!
Your noblest work is to adore!
O soul and body, join to raise
with heartfelt joy our Maker's praise!
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Cross
We have sinned, O God,
hoarding what we have,
grasping for more,
and ignoring those who hunger and thirst.
We stay with our own kind;
we are complacent in the face of systems that oppress.
Forgive us;
purify us;
remake us,
that we might love as you love. Amen.
(Silence for personal confession)
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS
HYMN #581 “Glory Be to the Father” Ribbon
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen, amen.
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!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
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!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
TALK WITH CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Cross
THE FIRST READING 1 Timothy 6:6-19 (CEB)
Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL READING Luke 16:19-31 (CEB)
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
PRAYER OF THE DAY †
God of Abraham, Moses and the prophets,
your covenant binds us
as siblings in faith:
help us to overcome
the scandal of poverty,
the fixed chasm of indifference
and to recognize you
in the wounded poor;
through Jesus Christ, the Builder of Bridges.
Amen.
SERMON The Big Family Table
*HYMN #320 “The Church of Christ in Every Age” (verses 1-5)
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
Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)
MINUTE FOR MISSION Peace and Global Witness Offering Beth Askue
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
OFFERTORY “Foundations” by Joseph M. Martin
*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 #543 “O Christ, Surround Me” (verses 1-5) Ribbon
1 God, be the love to search and keep me;
God, be the prayer to move my voice;
God, be the strength to now uphold me:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
2 Bind to myself the Name of Holy,
great cloud of witnesses enfold;
prophets, apostles, angels witness:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
3 Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight,
flashing of lightning, strength of wind,
depth of the sea to soil of planet:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
4 Walking behind to hem my journey,
going ahead to light my way,
and from beneath, above, and all ways:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
5 Christ in the eyes of all who see me,
Christ in the ears that hear my voice,
Christ in the hearts of all who know me:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Reprise of “O Christ, Surround Me”
Unless otherwise noted, prayers in this service are reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2012.
† From Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. New York: Church Publishing, 2009
Assisting in Worship Today:
John Griffin–Liturgist
Whitney Dodds–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
