The Celebration of Christian Worship

Celebrating over 175 Years of Faith & Hope

October 25, 2009               Twenty-First 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

                                                   Purpose

                                                   Salvation

Today we'll hear what the gospel teaches about Insight.

  Prelude  

  Welcome

  Announcements

  Passing of the Peace

OUR APPROACH TO GOD

  Votum

  Sentences (Psalm 146, #28 Green)

  Salutation

*Hymn 8 (blue) – “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

  Summary of the Law of God

   Prayer of Confession

Gracious and loving God, we confess that we know you are pouring your loving Spirit down upon us every second of our lives, but we choose to block it out and chase after false worldly things. We consciously make trouble for ourselves and for others, living for material possessions, influence and the praise of our peers. We forsake true riches and power for fleeting ones, and are enfeebled by our choices. Forgive us, Lord, for our shallow spirits, rejecting the awesome gifts you offer to us, and help us to remember that committing to your Word also promises us the worldly blessings we dream of. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   

  Words of Assurance

*Gloria Patri (Hymnal #623)

THE WORD OF GOD

  Prayer for Illumination  

  Scripture:        Luke 18:35-43

                        (1 Corinthians 12:4-11;  Mark 13:28-37; Proverbs 1:7)

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People:            Thanks be to God.

  Children's Sermon

*Hymn #77 (Green) – “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

  Sermon – Seeing Things

  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

Living God, you have given us so much in Jesus Christ: hope, joy, and peace. Above all, you have given us life! What can we give in return? If the whole world were ours, it would not be enough. What little we have we humbly offer to you. Thousand, thousand thanks are due, dearest Jesus, unto you. 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 #404 (blue) – “The Solid Rock”

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen (Hymnal #628)

*Postlude