Welcome to Worship
We gather to worship, we go out to serve.
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
* Those who are able, please stand.
Tolling of the Bell
Welcome and Announcements
Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note
Opening Prayer Terry Bryant
Holy God, you gave the law to show your people the way of love. Help us receive your commandments as grace and live as your obedient children that your goodness may shine through us, to the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Responsive) Terry Bryant
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. Jesus proclaims, “You are the light of the world.
Thanks be to God
*Hymn
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Terry Bryant
God, open our eyes to see the world through your compassion. Open our mind to understand the world through your wisdom. Open our heart to receive the world through your love. Amen.
*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
HEARING THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination Terry Bryant
Lord, open our understanding by the power of the Holy Spirit, that as the Word is proclaimed we may receive holy wisdom to understand the gifts you have bestowed on us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Psalm 112:1-9
Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Word in Music
Gospel Reading Matthew 5:13-20
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*Hymn
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) the Confession of Belhar
We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
We believe that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker. We believe that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Prayers of the People / Lord’s Prayer (Responsive)
We ask all this in the name of Christ, who is our light and our life, and taught us this 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, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
Offering Prayer of Thanksgiving / Dedication
Offertory
*Doxology #606
Prayer of Dedication
WE GO OUT TO SERVE
*Hymn
*Blessing
May Christ, the true light, shine upon you, that you may walk in love all your days.
Postlude Christopher Bunch