Leading Us in Worship Today
Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman
Liturgist Donna Jordon
Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand
Prelude Capriccio on "Father, We Thank You"
Louis Bourgeois/James Biery
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer & Gathering #829 My Faith Looks Up to Thee, vs. 1
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray; take all my guilt away; O let me from this day be wholly thine!
Call to Worship
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
We have come to give thanks and to sing songs of praise!
We are the people of God’s pasture; we trust that God will bring us through the wilderness.
We seek God’s living water and praise God’s holy name!
Opening Hymn #81 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
(Please remain standing through the sung response)
Call to Confession
God does not wait for us to be righteous, or pure, or perfect. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. We do not have to hide our sin from God, but can face it with Jesus, who heals us, teaches us, and leads us to new life.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, friend of all, once again, we come to you knowing our words have stung, our actions have harmed, and our indifference has let evil have its day. Our hearts yearn for you, our souls thirst for you, yet we do not imitate you in our lives. We scorn those who are different from us and relish our own comfort. Once again, forgive us, O God. Give us your living water, that we might tell the world all you have done for us.
Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace
We know that God is with us even in our sufferings, for suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Thanks be to God!
May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.
Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.
Sung Response #438 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, vs. 2
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone.
Sermon for Faith Builders
Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.
Cents-Ability
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Call to Offering
Offertory Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land Spiritual
Sung Response #612 We Praise You, O God, vs. 3
With voices united our praises we offer and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us.
To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #50 Deep in the Shadow of the Past
Scripture Reading Exodus 17:1-7
Anthem Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee
Trad. English/Psalm 130/K Lee Scott
Sermon The Lavish Embrace of Christ: Reasons to Boast
Affirmation of Faith - Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Closing Hymn #805 Come Sing to God
Benediction
Postlude. God Is Our Fortress and Rock Martin Luther/Johann Nicolaus Hanff
