Covenant Presbyterian Church
World Communion Sunday
October 2, 2022 – 10am
Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: From north and south and east and west,
People: all Creation sings forth your praises!
Leader: The mountains and the hills burst into song;
People: the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Leader: Your steadfast love never ceases.
People: With joy and peace, let us worship God together.
*HYMN 32 “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” (verses 1-3) Ribbon
1 I sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day.
The moon shines full at God's command,
and all the stars obey.
2 I sing the goodness of the Lord
who filled the earth with food.
God formed the creatures through the Word,
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,
where'er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky!
3 There's not a plant or flower below
but makes thy glories known.
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
by order from thy throne,
while all that borrows life from thee
is ever in thy care,
and everywhere that we can be,
thou, God, art present there.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Cross
Gracious Lord,
you created the whole world and called it good,
but we look out at your world and see division and suffering.
You call us to maintain unity and peace,
but we choose division over diversity,
confrontation over civility,
conflict over peace born from justice.
Forgive us.
Grant us fresh vision to see one another as siblings in Christ
and be part of bringing forth your peaceable kingdom. 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 SCRIPTURE READING Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 (CEB) Notepad
Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL READING Luke 17:1-10 (CEB)
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Forgiveness: The Impossible Demand Notepad
*HYMN #445 “God, How Can We Forgive?” (verses 1-3) Ribbon
1 God, how can we forgive
when bonds of love are torn?
How can we rise and start anew,
our trust reborn?
When human loving fails
and every hope is gone,
your love gives strength beyond our own
to face the dawn.
2 When we have missed the mark,
and tears of anguish flow,
how can you still release our guilt,
the debt we owe?
The ocean depth of grace
surpasses all our needs.
A priest who shares our human pain,
Christ intercedes.
3 Who dares to throw the stone
to damn another's sin,
when you, while knowing all our past,
forgive again?
No more we play the judge,
for by your grace we live.
As you, O God, forgive our sin,
may we forgive.
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING Envelope
OFFERTORY “Yet I Believe” 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 #507 “Come to the Table of Grace” (verses 1-3) Ribbon
1 Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
2 Come to the table of peace…
3 Come to the table of love…
THE LORD’S SUPPER
See the back page of the hymnal
At Covenant, we believe the Lord’s Supper is for everyone. From newborns to our most mature, all are welcome at this table. The Presbyterian Church teaches, “The opportunity to eat and drink with Christ is not a right bestowed upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. All who come to the table are offered the bread and cup, regardless of their age or understanding” (Book of Order, W-3.049).
*HYMN #539 “We Will Go Out With Joy” (verses 1-3) Ribbon
1 Leader: We will go out with joy in the Spirit;
we will go out with God.
All: We will go out with joy in the Spirit;
we will go out with God.
Refrain:
Alleluia! We will go out with joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 Leader: Now anyone who’s born of the Spirit,
sing a new song of joy.
All: Now anyone who’s born of the Spirit,
sing a new song of joy. (Refrain)
3 Leader: We will go out with joy in the Spirit;
we will go out with God.
All: We will go out with joy in the Spirit;
we will go out with God. (Refrain)
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Reprise of “We Will Go Out With Joy”
Assisting in Worship Today:
Jennifer LuPiba–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