September 6, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
The Fourteenth 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 Partita on I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Behnke

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Psalms 124 & 125 Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
Minister: Those who trust in the Lord
People: Cannot be moved, but abide for ever.
Minister: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: Who made heaven and earth.

*HYMN 74 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, and 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 OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 592 Children’s Bible, page 907

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Isabella Rose Schneck
Daughter of Day & Daniel Schneck

THE COVENANT OF BAPTISM
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 Isabella 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 Isabella?
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 Isabella these expectations?
Parents: Yes, we happily accept this serious duty.
Minister: Do you who stand as sponsors assume your responsibility to assist these parents in the fulfillment of their covenant that Isabella be instructed in the Word of God, brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, kept in communion with the church and strengthened to live in a godly manner?
Sponsors: Yes, we assume our role as “god parents” with joy and hope.
Minister: Members of this Church, as of the whole Church of Christ, do you pledge to work toward creating a nurturing environment for Isabella 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 INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*THE PSALMODY Psalm 125 sung to Hyfrydol

Those who place on God reliance All good blessings shall be given
In despair shall not be moved; To the servants of God’s will;

As the mountains hug the valley, Just rewards and retributions,
So embraced are God’s beloved. Once conferred, are with us still.

Everlasting is Mount Zion, Those who work against God’s healing
From creation’s dawn till night; Have their ill with ill repaid;

And eternal is God’s promise But the faithful of the kingdom
Unto those who live aright. Find their full redemption made.

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON James 2:1-17 Bible, page 1100 Children’s Bible, page 1730

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 7:24-37 Bible, page 917 Children’s Bible, page 1436

THE COMMUNION MEDITATION “Working Faith” Dr. Peay

WORSHIP IN MUSIC Strike the Viol Purcell
Kimberly Porter, Soprano

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE RESPONSE TO PRAYER (instrumental)

THE OFFERTORY

Minister: "...the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

WORSHIP IN MUSIC Benedictus Haydn

*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 SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Invitation to the Table and Confession of Sins
Forgive us, O God, when we take no for an answer too easily. When it comes to this good earth and what is done to it in the name of progress or profit; when it comes to what comes of innocents and vulnerable ones caught in crossfires they do not make – forgive us when we are not persistent in seeking their good. Teach us to pray to you. Teach us to live to toward one another. Amen.

[The Minister assures us of God’s pardon.]

The Great Thanksgiving Prayer
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up 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 Preface and after “unending hymn” we all say:]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

[The Ministers continue the Great Thanksgiving Prayer.]

The Breaking of the Bread and the Communion of All

[Please hold the bread so that we may receive it together as a sign of our oneness in Christ’s Body; as the cup comes to you, receive it as a sign of your relationship with the Lord.]

The Prayer Following Communion

*HYMN 578 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Fantasia Behnke

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Jim Maxey in loving memory of Melissa Mann.

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 5th grade.
Kimberly Porter is the soprano soloist with the First Church Choir.

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

Rally Day! Fresh Start Sunday!
Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled, “A Fresh Start in Loving Service.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.