October 28, 2012

Theme: Theme: The Roll Call of the Faithful 

This is also Consecration Sunday. This service was designed by the folks from Finance & Stewardship.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3 

(NIV)Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

(NRSV)Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Preparing for Worship

Chimes

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Tim Kennedy, on trumpet, in a classical style fanfare with Barry, on organ.

Words of Preparation: "Everybody everywhere, all earth-dwellers: When you see a flag flying on the mountain, LOOK! When you hear the trumpet blown, LISTEN!"

Hymn of Praise: Blue Book #4 "Great Is the Lord"  ALL

Call to Worship                                                                                              Liturgist

Leader: Blessed is everyone who comes in the name of the Lord!

People: From the house of the Lord, we bless you!

Leader: Today, we meet friends, strangers, family, brothers and sisters in Christ with these words of welcome.

People: Blessed are you, blessed are we, blessed are ALL-- who come in the name of the Lord! 

Leader: Let us greet each other with smiles of blessing as we worship God together!

Invocation                                                                                                          Liturgist

The Lord's Prayer

Gloria Patri

A Time for Offering

Please place your Commitment Cards in the Offering Plates as they pass.

Tracie, please print the above in the bulletin.

Call to Offering                                                                                                  Liturgist

 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:23-24

Through the ministry budget and planning process this year, we are re-discovering that our most profound and abundant resource is each other. As we approach the table today with our tithes, offerings and commitments for the coming year, we pause a moment to rediscover and lay claim to our most precious resource. God's reconciling love draws each of us unique people of faith into one Body in Christ that can be so much more than any of us can be on our own. Let us turn our hearts toward God, and through God, towards each other to reconcile and redeem our efforts.

Prayer of Reconciliation                                                                                     Nina Thomas

Tracie, please print the Congregational Response in the bulletin but not the prayer.

Congregational Response: Bring our hearts together, Lord. 

Leader:Blessed are you, Lord our God. We come before you to ask your forgiveness for all of our failings both great and small.Generous God, you give us so many gifts in life, yet sometimes we forget to share them. And so we say...All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

Faithful God, you are with us in one another, yet we sometimes refuse to recognize you. And so we say...All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

God of gentleness, you ask us to bring peace to our family and to the world, yet sometimes we spread anger and trouble. And so we say... All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

Gracious God, you give us a voice with which to sing, and words to speak, and yet sometimes our words are hurtful or untrue. Sometimes are songs fall silent. And so we say... All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

Loving God, you sent your only son to show us how to love and serve one another, and yet we sometimes are selfish and unloving. And so we say...  All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

Merciful God, as we prepare for first reconciliation, help us to ask forgiveness when we need to. Help us to forgive others who have wronged us. And let us be peacemakers in our workplaces, our schools and in our families. We thank you for the gift of your forgiveness and love. All: Bring our hearts together, Lord.

Amen.

Offering Meditation

The Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

We Join in Prayer

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

Morning Prayer

We Contemplate & Live God's Word

Children's Sermon: Freedom to Be Faithful           

Choir Anthem: Lux aeterna from Requiem (Rutter)

Text:

I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours. Even so saith the Spirit.

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: Cum sanctis tuis in aeternam quia pius es.  Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Light eternal shine upon them, Lord, we pray: With saints and angels 
ever dwelling, for thy mercy’s sake, may they rest in peace. 
Grant them rest eternal, Lord our God, we pray to thee, 
and light perpetual shine on them for ever.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-40

Sermon: What Faithful Looks Like from Age to Age             

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: Red Book # 379    "Take My Life and Let it Be"     1, 2 ,3, 4 

Gathering at the Lord's Table

Call to Communion: A Litany of Blessings                                                                 Readers

Hymn of Communion: Red Book #379 "Take My Life and Let It Be"     1, 5, 6

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Breaking Bread & Pouring the Cup

Musical Meditation

Partaking of the Lord's Supper

We Depart to Serve

Benediction

Parting Hymn:  "Oh When the Saints Go Marching Forth" Armstrong (lyrics adapted)

Tracie, please print lyrics in bulletin.

Oh, when the saints go marching forth 
Oh, when the saints go marching forth 
Oh, Lord, I want to be in that number 
When the saints go marching forth.

Oh, when the trumpet sounds the call 
Oh, when the trumpet sounds the call 
Oh, Lord, I want to be in that number 
When the saints go marching forth.

Postlude     "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In"
                     Tim Kennedy, on trumpet, in a New Orleans Jazz version with Barry, on organ.