February 1, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
(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 and the Atrium.)
THE PRELUDE Two Contemporary Hymn Tunes arr. Young
Jesus Loves Me – Rock of Ages
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Julie Peay
Liturgist: How is life with you today?
People: Sometimes it is full of goodness and peace; but at other times it is full of worry and strife.
Liturgist: Give these worries and fears to Jesus.
People: We need to let go of our anxiety and turn to God.
Liturgist: Come, let us praise God, who has spoken words of healing love through Jesus.
People: Let us open our hearts and let go of our fears, for there is one who can heal our spirits. AMEN.
*HYMN 261 All Creatures of Our God and King
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
God of compassion, you have shown us in Christ that your love is never-ending. Enable us to love you with all our hearts and to love one another as Christ loved us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, who taught us to say:
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 CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 174 Children’s Bible, page 263
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
*THE PSALMODY Psalm 111 sung to Westminster Abbey
With my heart, I praise my Maker Can Your heart with pity move?
Ever in God’s temple sing; May our sins by grace inherit
Great and glorious are God’s mercies, Justice tempered with Your love.
Endless honor shall we bring
To the Lord; let all creation All Your laws are sure established,
With great adoration ring! Wrought of love and equity;
And the promise of Your mercy
God, all gracious and all caring, Shall endure all time to be.
Send Your blessings from above; Those whose lips sing of Your glory
If in wrath, Your arm works vengeance, Evermore Your face shall see.
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Bible, page 1043 Children’s Bible, page 1626
THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:21-28 Bible, page 910 Children’s Bible, page 1425
THE COMMUNION REFLECTION “Authority and the Measure of Love” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM All Hail the Power Shaw & Parker
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
Liturgist: Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. As we read in Scripture: “Do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” [Hebrews 13:16]
THE ANTHEM Eucharist Jacobi
*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 INVITATION TO THE TABLE
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) and ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Patient God, you know it is not easy for us to let go of all the worries that we have.
We chew on them and wail over them; yet these activities do not produce the peace for which we long. We look for quick and easy answers to our problems, or we turn our backs on the issues as if ignoring them will eventually make them go away. Forgive us, Lord, when we fail to place our trust in your healing mercy. Remind us again of the authority and power of your Son Jesus to cast out our “demons.” Heal and restore us, we pray. AMEN.
Minister: Place your trust in God, for God’s healing love and forgiveness are lavished upon you, now and forever. AMEN.
[This great thanksgiving is a translation of the ancient eucharistic prayer of Hippolytus of Rome, dating
from about 215. It is the earliest known text of a eucharistic prayer.]
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
[The Minister continues the Great Thanksgiving prayer.]
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
[The Deacons come during the Breaking of the Bread and distribute the elements. We hold the Bread and receive it together to remind us of our oneness in Christ. We take the Cup as it comes to us to remind us of our personal response to Christ.]
THE PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION (unison)
O God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank-offering to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE
*HYMN 497 Blest Be the Tie That Binds
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Marching to Zion Young
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Today’s Chancel flowers are given by the Jacobs family in loving memory of Janet G. Jacobs.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, February 8 10:00 A.M.
Rev. Robert Brink will offer the sermon entitled “In, Not Of”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.