The Celebration of Christian Worship
Celebrating over 175 Years of Faith & Hope
November 15, 2009 Twenty-Fourth 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 Optimism, Unity and Tolerance.
Prelude “Someone Cares” Ray Steadmand-Allen
Euphonium: Sam Funkhouser
Welcome
Announcements
Passing of the Peace
OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Votum
Summary of the Law
Salutation
*Hymn of Confession/Assurance #69 (green) – “We Cannot Measure How you Heal”
THE WORD OF GOD
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Children's Sermon
*Hymn #287 (Blue) – “Our God Has Made Us One”
Sermon – Partners in Crime
Prayer for Blessing on the Word
OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Offering
Offertory – “All Are Welcome” Cassie DeLaCruz
*Doxology (Hymnal #625)
*Offertory Prayer
Generous God, we marvel at your lavish gifts to us, life and breath, food and shelter, opportunities for work and play, and, most especially, hope and peace in Christ. We now pledge ourselves to mirror and reflect the glory of your self-giving love, to continue in the pattern of generosity we see perfectly revealed in Christ, through whom we pray. Amen.
Service of Christian Healing
The Lord’s Prayer Albert Hay Malotte
Euphonium: Sam Funkhouser
Litany of Intercession for Healing
O God the Father, whose will for us and for all your people is health and salvation,
have mercy on us.
O God the Son, who came that we might have life and have it in abundance,
have mercy on us.
O God the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling makes our bodies the temples of your presence,
have mercy on us.
O Triune God, we pray you to hear us, and that you will grant your grace to all who stand in need of healing both of body and spirit, and lead them to look with confidence to you;
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant patience and perseverance to all who are disabled by injury or illness, and increase their courage.
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant peace to all who are troubled by confusion or pain, and set their minds at rest,
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant relief from suffering to all sick children, and give them a sure sense of your tender love and care,
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant rest to all whose increasing years bring weariness, distress, or loneliness, and give them the abiding comfort of your presence,
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant confidence to all about to undergo surgery or difficult procedures, and keep them free from fear.
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant purpose to the church as it seeks to carry on Christ’s ministry of healing to suffering humanity, and keep it always true to the gospel of Christ.
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant skill and compassion to doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, and all who are called to practice medical arts, and make strong their dedication to help others.
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
That you will grant to all people the refreshment of quiet sleep and joy of resting in your everlasting arms, that we may rejoice in your care while we are on earth, and in the world to come, have eternal life.
we beseech you to hear us, O Lord.
Laying of Hands and Anointing with Oil
Invitation
Blessing
Family Prayers
*Hymn #1 (blue) – “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen (Hymnal #628)
*Postlude “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Organ & Euphonium