JULY 6, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 8th Sunday after Pentecost
Independence Day

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love to
greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship in the Friendship Lounge.)

PRELUDE Variations on America Linker

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

CALL TO WORSHIP Daniel Miles
Liturgist: We gather as the Lord’s free people
People: We gather under the yoke of Christ.
Liturgist: We gather as Church, the Body of Christ
People: Not merely for ourselves,
ALL: But to minister to the world.

*HYMN 298 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

God of our mothers and our fathers, God of our heritage and hope, God of all the nations, purify our hearts to see and love the truth. Bring us at last to that fair city of peace whose foundations are mercy, justice, goodwill and peace, and whose builder and maker is you, O Creator. This we pray through Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Samuel R. Schaal

INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Robert J. Brink

Prayer for the Nation (unison)
Gracious God, author of all creation, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace. Grant that we and all the people of this land may remember our heritage of liberty and that we might have the grace to maintain those liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

RESPONSE 301 (verse 2) America the Beautiful [remain seated]

O beautiful for pilgrim feet, America! America! Whose stern, impassioned stress God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Confirm thy soul in self control, Across the wilderness! Thy liberty in law.

ANTHEM Battle Hymn of the Republic arr. Cullen
Jill Bruss, Alto Paula Foley Tillen, Piano

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Romans 7:15-25a Bible, page 1029 Children’s Bible, page 1604

PSALMODY (responsively) Psalm 146:5-10 Bible, page 570 Children’s Bible, page 873

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Bible, page 887 Children’s Bible, page 1389

*HYMN 45 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy verses 1 & 2

COMMUNION MEDITATION “The Yoke of Freedom” Rev. Schaal

RESPONSE HYMN 45 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy verse 3 [remain seated]

CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE

OFFERTORY

ANTHEM Not Just Today Foley Tillen

*DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Invitation

Prayer of Confession (unison)
Compassionate God, you have loved us, but we have not always loved you. You have called us, but we do not always listen. You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare and greed. God of grace, we turn now from the narrowness of our ways, to the great and gracious way of your truth and life.

Assurance of Pardon

Words of Institution

Blessing of the Elements

Sharing of the Gifts

Prayer

*HYMN 493 Christ’s Body All Are We

*CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE Two Variations Linker

*The congregation is invited to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Bill Edens in celebration of his marriage to Lissa
and in appreciation of their family, nation, and our Church.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Summer Sunday School for children 3 years through entering 6th grade.

Jill Bruss is the Alto Section Leader here at First Congregational Church.
Besides performing with several area groups, she has a private studio of 30 students
and runs the Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

Paula Foley Tillen is the Director of Choirs at Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa. She maintains a private piano studio of about 25 students.
Paula remains much in demand as a pianist, vocal coach, composer and accompanist.

Worship Preview for Sunday, July 13 10:00 A.M.

Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled "A Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gardening."
Steve Jensen is the organist.
Sarah Gorke presents the special music.