The Celebration of Christian Worship

Celebrating over 175 Years of Faith & Hope

November 1, 2009             Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost                  10:00 AM

People come to a Christian church to escape the world of human values and enter the world of divine ones. Many godly values or blessings defy logic, as witnessed by the religious leaders calling Jesus (the perfect embodiment of divine values) "crazy" or "possessed." Since Jesus is our Lord (master or leader), we need to embrace and display these "crazy" values for all to see. Therefore, for the sake of all who walk through our doors, the Christian church "flips out." When you come here, these are the things you have a right to expect.

                                                   Forgiveness             Optimism

                                                   Love                         Unity

                                                   Insight                      Tolerance

                                                  Peace/ Purpose

                                                   Salvation

Today we'll hear what the gospel teaches about Peace and Purpose.

  Prelude  

  Welcome

  Announcements

  Passing of the Peace

OUR APPROACH TO GOD

  Votum

  Sentences (#491 in the blue Hymnal)

  Salutation

*Hymn #499 (blue) – “Sunshine in My Soul”

  Summary of the Law of God

   Prayer of Confession

O gracious, gentle and condescending God, God of peace, Father of mercy, God of all comfort: we confess before you the evil of our hearts; we acknowledge that we are too inclined toward anger, jealousy, and revenge, to ambition and pride, which often give rise to discord and bitter feelings between others and us. Too often we have both offended and grieved you, O long-suffering Father. Forgive us this sin and permit us to partake of the blessing you have promised the peacemakers, who shall be called the children of God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

  Silent Prayers

 Words of Assurance

*Gloria Patri (Hymnal #623)

THE WORD OF GOD

  Prayer for Illumination  

  Scripture:        John 14:12-29

                        Matthew 28:16-20

Leader:   This is the Word of the Lord.

People:  Thanks be to God.

  Children's Sermon

*Hymn #497 (Blue) – “Near to the Heart of God”

  Sermon – I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing

  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)  

 *Offertory Prayer

O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received, accept this offering of your people. Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given, and so follow it with your blessing that it may promote peace and goodwill among all peoples, and advance the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 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 #347 (blue) – “Be Still, My Soul”

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen (Hymnal #628)

*Postlude