November 20, 2016 Thanksgiving Sunday

AV NOTE: Rev. Lisa plans to use a powerpoint slideshow during the sermon with a song played (probably on the smaller speaker system that the choir uses). She will finalize this on Thursday.

THEME: For Such a Time as This

Scripture:  Esther 4 & Psalm 46

Esther 4
 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; ² he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. ³ In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
⁴ When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he would not accept them. ⁵ Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what was happening and why. ⁶ Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, ⁷ and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. ⁸ Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people.
⁹ Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. ¹⁰ Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, ¹¹ “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.” ¹² When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, ¹³ Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. ¹⁴ For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” ¹⁵ Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, ¹⁶ “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” ¹⁷ Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah


8:30 AM Order of Service

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:

Leader: God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
People: God's love surrounds us every day; our God is merciful and gracious.

Leader: Turn your backs upon other desires, worship the Holy One of Israel.
People: Blessed are all who stand in awe before God; happy are all who walk in his ways.

Leader: The love of God has chosen us, the love of God unites us with all his people.
People: God is our judge and our source of life; God is our comfort and our refuge.

— written by Homer G. Samplonius
Hymn of Praise:   #33 Come Ye Thankful People, Come (all verses)

Invocation

Good Lord,

we pray that you fill us with the knowledge of your will

through all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

so that together we may live a life worthy of you

a life in which we bear fruit in every good work,

and acquire the strength and endurance of a joyful heart—

a heart that gives thanks to you in every situation.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

-by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild,
 

Lighting of the Candles
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader:  In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

 Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn  #588 Have Thine Own Way, Lord! (verse 1)

Prayers of the People

Let us pray to our heavenly Father

who created all things in heaven and on earth.

He knows our needs and the needs of the world

and reaches out with love and forgiveness to reconcile all things to himself.

We pray for the church throughout the world

asking God to forgive us for the divisions that separate us

and to heal the wounds that those divisions have caused.

We pray that the church, Christ’s body,

may be united and strengthened by Christ himself

who holds all things together and has first place in everything.

We pray for all who hold the power and responsibility that comes with authority.

We pray that the spirit of Christ the King will teach them humility

and a willingness to stand alongside those who depend on them for leadership.

We pray for all who suffer pain and mental distress

through illness or through the cruelty of others.

We pray that God’s power and spirit will strengthen them

and bring them the healing and peace that belong to Christ’s kingdom.

We pray for the saints who have gone before us

and now live in God’s eternal light,

giving thanks for their witness and encouragement

and praying that we will share in their inheritance

within the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

Heavenly Father,

you have rescued us from the power of darkness.

Help us to walk in this world as citizens of your kingdom of light

where Christ reigns as King in glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

~ written by Katharine Smith, and posted on Katharine Smith.

Scripture: Esther 4

Sermon

Communion Hymn: #424 I'm Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table

 Invitation to Share in the Lord's Supper

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome
to share in communion & offering.

Words of Institution

Prayer for Bread and Cup

The Lord's Supper and Offering

Please come forward down the center aisle to partake of the elements.
Gifts, tithes and offerings may be placed in the basket on the table.

The Lord's Prayer

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation:#352 Spirit Song

Blessing
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

           

10:40 AM Service Order

Gathering and Preparing for Worship

Opening Music: #718 Come Ye Thankful People, Come (all verses)

Welcome & Announcements

Hymn of Praise:33 How Great Thou Art (all stanzas)

Call to Worship

Leader: God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
People: God's love surrounds us every day; our God is merciful and gracious.

Leader: Turn your backs upon other desires, worship the Holy One of Israel.
People: Blessed are all who stand in awe before God; happy are all who walk in his ways.

Leader: The love of God has chosen us, the love of God unites us with all his people.
People: God is our judge and our source of life; God is our comfort and our refuge.

— written by Homer G. Samplonius

 

Invocation

Good Lord,

we pray that you fill us with the knowledge of your will

through all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

so that together we may live a life worthy of you

a life in which we bear fruit in every good work,

and acquire the strength and endurance of a joyful heart—

a heart that gives thanks to you in every situation.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

-by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild,

Moments of Fellowship and Greeting

Offering Our Hearts to God

The Lord's Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory

Doxology CH #46

Prayer of Dedication

Encountering God's Word

Scripture: Esther 4

Children's Moment and Blessing

Choir Voluntary

Turning to God in Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayer Hymn:  #588 Have Thine Own Way, Lord! (stanza 1)

Prayers of the People

Contemplating God's Word

Scripture:

Sermon

Sharing at the Lord's Table

Invitation to Communion

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion. Please hold each element as we partake in unison.

Communion Hymn: #403 In Remembrance of Me

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Going Forth in Faith

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: #352 Spirit Song

Benediction

Choral Response "Love This World"

Carrying Out of the Light

Postlude