AUGUST 17, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

(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.)

THE PRELUDE Fugue in g minor Bach
Steve Jensen, Organ

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
Minister: We come from many places to become one congregation.
People: With different names, faces, histories, we are still one in Christ.
Minister: Others also gather in Christ’s name.
People: We share our faith with them.
ALL: Make us one, O God, through our worship and praise. Alleluia!

*HYMN 490 This Is Our Church

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

Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son. Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, and 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.

*THE 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.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 45:1-15 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 41 Children’s Bible, page 64

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*THE PSALMODY Psalm 133 [sung to Germany]

How good when all the earth is one, As oil anointed Aaron’s head, And hearts embrace community; And dew adorns the mountainside,
When strife will cease to separate, So peace and blessing of the Lord and love binds all in unity. Within the faithful heart abide.

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Romans 11:1-2a; 29-32 Bible, page 1032 Children’s Bible, page 1610

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 15:10-28 Bible, page 892 Children’s Bible, page 1396

THE SERMON “Cutting to the Chase…and the Heart” Dr. Peay

WORSHIP IN MUSIC As torrents in summer Elgar
Eleanor Quint, Soprano [poem by Longfellow]

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE

THE RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. When it no longer gives, we know real life has gone out of it. The heart that hoards the blessings of God is no longer alive with spiritual power. To give is to live. With joy, then, we show our unity in the Body and our life as we offer our gifts to God.

WORSHIP IN MUSIC Just a Closer Walk with Thee Traditional American song arr. Walters

*THE 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 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

*HYMN 547 Lord of the Church, We Pray for Our Renewing

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE In Thee is Gladness Bach

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are from Rich & Ann Teerlink in memory of their mothers,
Martha Teerlink and Adella Hoffing.

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.

Eleanor Quint came to First Church in 1999, after three years as Chancel Choir Director at the Tosa Avenue United Methodist Church. She teaches voice from her home on the East Side and at Martin Luther High School in Greendale. Ellie continues her long association with the Skylight, appearing in the chorus of La Boheme this fall and in her third cabaret early in 2009 – “Our Huckleberry Friend: The Songs and Lyrics of Johnny Mercer,” with pianist Jack Forbes Wilson.

Worship Preview for Sunday, August 24 10:00 A.M.
Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled “Getting It Right!”
Steve Jensen is the organist.
Kimberly Porter, Soprano, provides the special music.