August 31, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 16th 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 Antiphon V Dupré
Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov, Organ

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Samuel R. Schaal

Minister: Wherever we are,
People: God calls us to discover our true purpose.
Minister: Whoever we are,
People: God calls us to discover our true selves.
Minister: Whatever trials we face,
People: God calls us to be God’s people,
ALL: Called to a life made new.

*HYMN 28 God, You Spin the Whirling Planets

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

Creating and Ever-Recreating God, enlarge our vision, enliven our bodies, invigorate our purpose, so that we are receptive to your presence working among us, calling us to more vital ministry with each other and the world, as we follow our Lord 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.

*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

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Nora Lynn Hoppe
daughter of Carrie & August Hoppe

Minister: What can we affirm about our children?
People: That they are made in the image of God and are children of God by creation.
Minister: As Nora grows in our congregation, how will we show her that she is a child of God?
People: We will tell her about Abraham, the father of our faith; about Sarah the mother of Isaac; about Moses, who led our ancestors out of bondage; about Ruth’s example of faithfulness; about the Jewish hope for a Messiah; about Jesus Christ the Savior; and about the history of the Church as the people of God.
Minister: What will we expect of Nora?
People: We look to the day when she will sit with us at the Lord’s Table, declare faith in Jesus Christ, confirm the heritage which we will pass along to her, and come as an adult to full commitment to God’s will and work.
Minister: In presenting your child for baptism, you announce your love for Jesus Christ, your eagerness to participate in the life of Christ’s body, the church, and your commitment to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Is this your desire?
Parents: It is.
Minister: Do you parents assume your primary responsibility for modeling the Christian faith and teaching Nora these expectations?
Parents: Yes, we happily accept this serious duty.
Minister: Members of this Church, as of the whole Church of Christ, do you pledge to work toward creating a nurturing environment for Nora and all our children?
People: Yes, we do, for they belong to us as well.
Minister: With joy, we celebrate together the gift of God’s grace in Christ. May God be with us.
People: God help us. Amen.

THE BAPTISM AND RECEIVING OF THE CHILD

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 3:1-15 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 49 Children’s Bible, page 77

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Romans 12:9-21 Bible, page 1034
(responsively)

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:21-28 Bible, page 894 Children’s Bible, page 1398

*HYMN 366 Have Thine Own Way, Lord

THE SERMON “A Faith of Convention or Intention?” Rev. Schaal

WORSHIP IN MUSIC Sing to the Lord A New Song Bourque
Fowler-LaBelle Quartet

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

God has richly blessed each of us and "my cup overflows." [Psalm 23] We now return a portion of our material blessing to the ministries of our church so that we may serve the Lord in faith and confidence.

OFFERTORY MUSIC Cantique de Jean Racine (A Song of Praise) Faure

*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 541 Here I Am, Lord

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Fanfare Lemmens

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are from the family of First Church member Alice Kanneberg
in honor of her upcoming 103rd birthday.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

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

The Fowlers and La Belles have been active in the Milwaukee art scene for many years. Nothing delights them more than making music.

Marj Fowler runs a voice studio out of her home. Dean Fowler is a family business consultant. You’ve seen them on stage with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, Florentine Opera and Master Singers. Currently, Marj sings with Milwaukee Choral Artists and our Choir, and Dean is with Master Singers and Grandsons of the Pioneers.

Charmaine LaBelle is an elementary music specialist and James LaBelle is a WKTI radio personality. Both are longtime members of our Choir and they, too, have sung with the Symphony Chorus and Master Singers. This season you will find Charmaine with Milwaukee Choral Artists, and James with Midwest Vocal Express men’s chorus.

Worship Preview for Rally Sunday, September 7 10:00 A.M.

Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled “Gathering in Love to Serve.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.