The Gathering
Tolling of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements ** Indicates, please stand.
Whether we are old or young, whether we are first-time or longtime worshipers, whether we come full of doubts or confidence, joy or sorrow, in this place we are all family, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Welcome to all of you today!
Prelude
Prayer of Invocation
O God, we joyously come together to worship, realizing we need not summon you into our midst, for you are here. We need not call you into the secret places of our hearts, for you are there. We need our eyes of faith to be opened, that we may see you; our ears to be unstopped, that we may hear you; our minds to be sensitive, that we may know you; our hearts to be tender, that we may receive you. Grant each one a blessing, O Lord, as each has need, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
**Responsive Call to Worship Please stand in body or spirit as you are able.
This is the day that you have made, Lord.
Help us to rejoice in it and be glad!
Remind us of the privileges we enjoy as your people:
to come to you in these moments, to confess our sins, to receive forgiveness and give it, to pray and sing and listen, to renew our fainting spirits, to rest in all your promises.
Open our eyes to see you, Lord.
Open our ears to hear your Word.
Visit us through your Holy Spirit,
and help us to celebrate our faith. Amen.
**Opening Hymn The One Is Blest #158
Call to Confession and Silent Prayer
The psalmist testifies: Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. In the strength of this assurance, let us in silence confess our sins to God. —based on Psalm 66:16, 18-20, NRSV
Unison Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear these comforting words: If you repent and believe in God’s redeeming mercy, your sins are forgiven. Trust in God’s promises and begin anew your life with God and all people in the name of Jesus Christ.
** Passing the Peace
The Peace of Christ be with you…
And also with you.
**Gloria Patri #579
Hearing the Word
Prayer of Illumination
God our helper, show us your holy ways and teach us your paths. By your Holy Spirit open our minds that we may be led in your truth and taught your will. Then may we praise you by listening to your Word and by obeying it. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Old Testament Reading Psalm 1
Instrumental Anthem
New Testament Reading Luke 6:17-26
Sermon Do We Leap For Joy Rev. Morris
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
...using the prayer Your Son taught us to pray, Our Father...
**Hymn I’ve Got Peace Like a River #368
**Affirmation of Faith
We rejoice in the goodness of God, renounce the works of darkness, and dedicate ourselves to holy living. As covenant partners, called to faithful obedience, and set free for joyful praise, we offer our hearts and lives to do God’s work in his world. With tempered impatience, eager to see injustice ended, we expect the Day of the Lord. And we are confident that the light that shines in the present darkness will fill the earth when Christ appears. Come, Lord Jesus! Our world belongs to you. —Our World Belongs to God, st. 5-6
Invitation to Offering
God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other, to serve others with joy, to share our love and material possessions. Let us rejoice in what we have been given and in what is ours to give.
Offertory
**Doxology #592
**Unison Prayer of Dedication
Merciful God, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us— our selves, our time, and our possessions—signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us— Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
We Go Out to Serve
**Hymn I Come With Joy #507
**Charge and Blessing
Go into the world: dance, laugh, sing, and create.
We go with the assurance of God’s blessing.
Go into the world: risk, explore, discover, and love.
We go with the assurance of God’s grace.
Go into the world: believe, hope, struggle, and remember.
We go with the assurance of God’s love.
Thanks be to God!
Postlude