NOTES: Both of today's text talk about discerning the truth in a complicated world. In searching for Israel's next leader, Samuel is confronted with everything that looks like a king, but God redirects his focus. God is looking for a particular kind of heart, one that can know and love God. The Ephesians text reminds us that as children of God, we are lights. Our purpose is to shine into dark moments. Shame, guilt, fear....they can only survive in the dark. But God's love gives us the courage and the power to truly look on the heart.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 & 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Ephesians 5:8-14
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
1 Samuel 16:1-13
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons."
Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you."
Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"
He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the LORD."
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these."
Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one."
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
8:30 AM Order of Service
The Gathering
Welcome
Prelude
We Gather in The Light of Christ
Lighting the Christ Candles
Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
Hymn of Praise:CH# 90 "Come, Christians, Join to Sing" ALL
Call to Worship
Leader: In
the darkest valley,
People: at the banquet table;
Leader: in the hard work of life,
People: at the moments of ease;
Leader: in our day-to-day reality,
People: at times set aside–
Leader: like this time, now–
People: for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
Leader: with every step we take:
People: goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.
People: at the banquet table;
Leader: in the hard work of life,
People: at the moments of ease;
Leader: in our day-to-day reality,
People: at times set aside–
Leader: like this time, now–
People: for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
Leader: with every step we take:
People: goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.
Invocation Unison
Jesus, Light of the World,
shine
Your light in us today.
Chase
away the darkness of sin and fear.
Fill us with the light of Your Word.
Teach us what is pleasing to You.
Make us a shining example of Your amazing grace,
redeeming
love, and life-changing power.
May
others be drawn to You through us. Amen.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture:
Sermon/Meditation
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn: CH# 570 "Sweet Hour of Prayer" sts. 1 & 2
Praying Together
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn:CH# 339 "Just As I Am, Without One Plea" sts. 1, 3, 4
Communion Hymn:CH# 339 "Just As I Am, Without One Plea" sts. 1, 3, 4
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 557 "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" sts. 1 & 2
Blessing
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
10:40AM Service
Welcome
Prelude
Prelude
We Gather in the Light of Christ
Call to Worship
~
written by Joanna Harader
Hymn of Praise:CH# 90 "Come, Christians, Join to Sing" ALL
Invocation Unison
Passing of the Peace
Call to Offering
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
Leader: In
the darkest valley,
People: at the banquet table;
Leader: in the hard work of life,
People: at the moments of ease;
Leader: in our day-to-day reality,
People: at times set aside–
Leader: like this time, now–
People: for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
Leader: with every step we take:
People: goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.
People: at the banquet table;
Leader: in the hard work of life,
People: at the moments of ease;
Leader: in our day-to-day reality,
People: at times set aside–
Leader: like this time, now–
People: for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
Leader: with every step we take:
People: goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.
Hymn of Praise:CH# 90 "Come, Christians, Join to Sing" ALL
The Acolytes light the Christ candles.
Invocation Unison
Jesus, Light of the World,
shine
Your light in us today.
Chase
away the darkness of sin and fear.
Fill us with the light of Your Word.
Teach us what is pleasing to You.
Make us a shining example of Your amazing grace,
redeeming
love, and life-changing power.
May
others be drawn to You through us. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith: CH# 557 "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" st. 1
We Offer Our Hearts to God
Call to Offering
The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Anthem
Children’s Sermon
Sermon/Meditation
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn: CH# 570 "Sweet Hour of Prayer" sts. 1 & 2
Praying Together
We Gather 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:CH# 339 "Just As I Am, Without One Plea" sts. 1, 3, 4
Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 608 "I Would Be True" ALL
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 608 "I Would Be True" ALL
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song: CH#434 "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" st. 1
Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
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