Sunday September 8, 2024 - Bulletin
Sept 8, 2024
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINUTE FOR MISSION
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP ( Psalm 125 )
One: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but
endures forever.
All: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
One: The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the
righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
All: Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright
in their hearts. But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the LORD
will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.
*HYMN # 262 “God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand”
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us
confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Merciful God, forgive us when we prefer those who are nicely dressed and
clean to those who are poor and appear to be so. Forgive us when we dishonor
the poor - for when we do so, we become judges with evil thoughts. Gracious
God, remind us that when we fail in one area of your law, we fail in all of it.
Give us the faith to come to your Son just as we are and trust that he will lift
us up, knowing he may yet test us. Forgive our love of worldly dictates above
your Holy Word. May each of us come to be astounded beyond measure as we
turn our lives over to your Son. 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 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING James 2:1-17
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 7:24-37
SERMON “Astounded Beyond Measure” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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.
*HYMN # 339 “Be Thou My Vision”
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, you taught us that the rich and the poor have this in common:
the LORD is the maker of them all. You told us that gaining your favor is far
better than any amount of silver or gold. Remind us when we part with our
money that it was never really ours to begin with, as all things belong to you.
May we use these gifts along with our time and talents in order to further
your Kingdom here on earth. Amen.
Amen.
*HYMN # 2032 “My Life is in You, Lord”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE