The Celebration of Christian Worship
Celebrating 175 Years of Faith & Hope
June 1, 2008 Third Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 a.m.
Prayer of the Day
O God our rock, you offer us a covenant of mercy, and you provide the foundation
of our lives. Ground us in your word, and strengthen our resolve to be your
disciples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Prelude - “Ein’ Freste Burg” Gerhard Krapf
Announcements
OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Choral Introit – “Come, O Come, Let us Praise Parent God” Burmese
Solo, in Burmese All, English
Come, O Come, let us praise Parent God,
O praise the love of God, the Great I Am,
praise the love of God, the Great I Am.
Passing of the Peace
Votum
Sentences – Psalm 46 See Insert
Salutation
Summary of the Law
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, we confess that we have sinned and fallen short of your glory. We have failed to measure up to your righteousness. We have not lived according to your will. In our stubbornness, we have focused on our own desires, to the exclusion of the needs of our neighbors. In faith we turn to you, seeking your grace and mercy. We trust in your promise of forgiveness, extended to us in Christ Jesus. Encircle us with your loving arms, and redeem us from our sins. By your power, forgive us, strengthen us, and make us whole, that we may stand before you in the righteousness of Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Words of Assurance
*Gloria Patri
*Hymn #26 – “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lessons: Matthew 7:21-29
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.
*Hymn #275 – “How Firm a Foundation”
Sermon – On the Best Authority
Prayer for Blessing on the Word
OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD
*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.
Offering
Offertory – “Be Thou My Vision” Trumpeter, George Gurzo
*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 and loving God, you are the source of all that is good. As the author and giver of life, you provide us with everything we need from day to day. All that we have comes as a gift from you Our lives are built up from the firm foundation of your love for us in Christ. With thanksgiving we bring these offerings. To you we dedicate ourselves and these gifts, that they may be tools of your grace. Teach us to serve one another – feeding the hungry, and providing for all who are in need. Help us to proclaim the gospel through word and deed, so that all may be strengthened by your love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sacrament of Holy Communion See Pew Card
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 #285 (Green) – “May the Lord, Mighty God” Chinese Folk Tune
*Benediction & Threefold Amen
*Postlude “Be Thou My Vision” Alice Parker