Sunday February 23, 2025 - Bulletin
February 23, 2025
Seventh after the Epiphany
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 37)
One: Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
All: for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
One: Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
All: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
One: do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
All: for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. Let us now worship the LORD.
*HYMN # (Insert) “Give to the Winds Thy Fears”
CALL TO CONFESSION
One: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Merciful God, your Son instructed us to model our love after your love - your agape love - especially regarding our enemies. You love us even when we don’t deserve it and so we are to love our enemies. We ask that you teach us how to do this. You bless us even when some days we might curse you in anger and so we are to love those who curse us. Jesus prays for us even though we do not follow your Word - inspire us to pray for those who mistreat us. Remind us it is easy to love those who love us - brotherly love can be easy, but divine love is difficult. Forgive us when we are not merciful and inspire us with your mercy. Remind us not to judge; help us to forgive and fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 45:3-11, 15
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 6:27-38
SERMON “To You That Listen” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
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.
*HYMN # 2213 “Healer of Our Every Ill”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Let us offer them with joy in our hearts and a deep sense of gratitude.
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Gracious God, your servant Joseph revealed an amazing ability to see God’s hand at work in all things. Your Son Jesus showed us what sacrificial love is. He gave us the truth that we are saved by your grace, rather than by our actions. May these gifts today help us to live out your truth and share it with others so that they may come to know your Son. Amen.
*HYMN # 372 “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION