The Celebration of Christian Worship

Celebrating 175 Years of Faith & Hope

May 25, 2008                          Second Sunday after Pentecost                                    10:00 a.m.

Prayer of the Day

God of tender care, like a mother, like a father, you never forget your children,

 and you know already what we need.  In all our anxiety give us trusting and

faithful hearts, that in confidence we may embody the peace and justice of

 your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

  Prelude -  “Shall We Gather at the River”                                        Charles Callahan

                      Flute, Anita Tong

  Announcements

  Choral Introit : “Come Let us Worship God” 

                               Angel ensemble

  Passing of the Peace

  Psalm 131

               Leader:    O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high;

               People:   I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.

               Refrain

               Leader:    But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother;

               People:   my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.

               Refrain

               ALL:       O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore.

  

OUR APPROACH TO GOD

  Votum & Salutation

  Summary of the Law

  Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we let our fears govern our lives.  In our worry and anxiety, we fail to listen to your word of hope and peace.  Instead of seeking your righteousness, we follow our own paths.  We have not been faithful stewards of all that you have entrusted to us.  Turn us anew to hear your voice, and open our hearts to receive your grace.  Free us from fears that bind us.  Anchor us firmly in your love, that we may receive your forgiveness and trust in your promise of life, given to us through Jesus Christ, our savior and friend.  Amen.

  Words of Assurance

*Gloria Patri

*Hymn #499 – “Sunshine in My Soul”

 

THE WORD OF GOD

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Lessons:      Matthew 6:24-34

            Leader:             This is the Word of the Lord.

            People:            Thanks be to God.

  Children’s Minute

      The children are invited to come forward for the children's message.  After the message, children of Kindergarten age through Grade 5 will go with their teachers to Memorial Hall; younger children can be taken to the Schoolhouse Nursery by their parents.  At 11:06 the teachers of school-aged children will close their lesson and walk the children to Cook Hall to meet parents.  If it is necessary for parents to pick up their children at Memorial Hall, please wait on the steps outside the room until the lesson is finished.  The younger children should be picked up in the nursery.

  Sacrament of Infant Baptism                                                            William Geerhard

*Hymn #42 – “Seek Ye First”

  Sermon – The Lilies of the Field

  Prayer for Blessing on the Word

 

OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD

  Offering  

  Offertory – “Loving Spirit”            Green# 235                                           I-to Loh

                       Soloist, Anita Tong

*The Doxology: (Hymn #556):                          Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

                        Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

  Prayer of Dedication

Gracious God, you have adorned creation with beauty, and you provide for the needs of all living creatures.  You have entrusted us with your treasures and have called us as stewards of your creation.  Receive these offerings that we bring before you.  Living in your generous grace, we dedicate our lives to your service.  Use us and these gifts of our time and our possessions, that through them all people may share in the promise of your kingdom and know your love, generosity, and goodness.  We pray in the name of Christ, our Hope, our Savior, and Friend.  Amen.

*The 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.

  Family Prayers & 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 #572 – “America, the Beautiful”

*Benediction & Threefold Amen

*Postlude – “National Hymn”