The Celebration of Christian Worship

Celebrating over 175 Years of Faith & Hope

August 9, 2009               Tenth Sunday after Pentecost              10:00 AM

Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

  Prelude  

  Welcome

  Announcements

  Passing of the Peace

OUR APPROACH TO GOD

  Votum, Sentences (Psalm 86:11-17)

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 

O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. 

Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,

because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

*Hymn 2 – “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

  Salutation

  Summary of the Law

   Prayer of Confession

            God of all people and all creation, in you we find life and purpose for living.

            When we forget to whom we belong, turn back our hearts and minds to    you and your ways.

            When we act in ways that harm and hurt, turn back our hearts and minds to       you and your ways.

When we speak with words that stab or wait for others to do the right thing, turn back our hearts and minds to you and your ways.

(All) Turn back our hearts and minds, O God, that we might walk in new paths of love, peace, and joy. Amen.

  Silent Prayers

  Words of Assurance

*Gloria Patri (Hymnal #623)

THE WORD OF GOD

  Prayer for Illumination  

  Scripture:        Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People:            Thanks be to God.

 Children's Sermon

      The children are invited to come forward for the children's message.  After the message, children can go to the basement of Cook Hall with Caitlyn.

*Hymn 425 – “In the Garden”

  Sermon:  The Constant Gardener

  Prayer for Blessing on the Word

OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD

*Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day he rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.  From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

  Offering

 *Doxology (Hymnal #625)  

   Sacrament of Holy Communion

 *Offertory Prayer

With hope in the power of generosity to serve the needs of a broken world, we share now these gifts. Bless them, generous God. Multiply them and cast them into your world, that they might sow seeds of love, compassion, and justice. In Christ's name, we offer our giving and our gifts. Amen.  

   Family Prayers, The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.  Amen.

*Hymn 423 – “There is a Balm in Gilead”

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen (Hymnal #628)

*Postlude