September 3, 2017

THEME:Working Hard and Giving Thanks...for God is Good

NOTES: On this Labor Day weekend, we take the words of Paul as an opportunity to look around our own community for "the people who work hard," those who "care for you in the Lord" and we give thanks. We also draw encouragement from their example and contemplate how we can be steadfast in the long work of faithfulness.



SCRIPTURE: I Thessalonians 5:12-23

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.
²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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 #56 "For the Beauty of the Earth"    sts. 1 & 2

Call to Worship    

Leader: God said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

People: But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord.”

Leader: Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

People: And I will give you rest.”

Leader: We come in the name of the Spirit, resting from our labors,

People: Let us worship God this day!

~ posted on the Presbytery of the Cascades
                                                  
Invocation                                                                     Unison       
   Call all your laborers, O God,

   Call us together to work in your fields,             

   Tell us to roll up our sleeves

   For we know that we have work to do.

   Let us find you in the work we share here and now,

   in Christ's presence we pray. Amen.

— posted on the United Church of Christ

 
 

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture:                                              

Sermon/Meditation                    
                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern                                        

Prayer Hymn:CH #572  "Take Time to Be Holy"   sts. 1 & 4

Praying Together       

Prayer for Workers

Loving, Working God,

On this Sunday we ask your special blessing

on all people who labor,

either for pay or as volunteers,

in jobs or at school.

We especially pray for your blessings

on workers who do not have jobs

and for those whose inadequate pay

does not allow them to live the full life you intend for each of us.

Creator God,

help us to build a new world in the midst of the old.

A world where every person's work is valued.

A world where those who clean houses

are also able to buy houses to live in.

A world where those who grow food

can also afford to eat their fill.

A world where those who serve and care for others

are, themselves, also served and cared for.

We pray for the coming of a world where all people everywhere

share in the blessing of work, its lessons, its challenges and its rewards..

We ask these things

knowing that you give us the courage and strength

to live out our faith in the workplace and the marketplace,

as well as in the sanctuary. Amen.

~ Posted on the United Church of Christ

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table                        

Communion Hymn: CH #585 "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"  sts. 1 & 3

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 #588 "Have Thine Own Way"  sts. 1 & 2

Blessing                                                                      

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                                                                     

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship

Leader: God said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

People: But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord.”

Leader: Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

People: And I will give you rest.”

Leader: We come in the name of the Spirit, resting from our labors,

People: Let us worship God this day!

~ posted on the Presbytery of the Cascades
                                                           
Hymn of Praise: CH #575  "Come and Find the Quiet Center"       sts. 1 & 3

The Acolytes light the Christ candles.

 
Invocation                                                                     Unison  
   Call all your laborers, O God,

   Call us together to work in your fields,             

   Tell us to roll up our sleeves

   For we know that we have work to do.

   Let us find you in the work we share here and now,

   in Christ's presence we pray. Amen.

— posted on the United Church of Christ

Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.   
   

Hymn of Faith: CH #568 "Tis a Gift to Be Simple"       sing once

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 #572  "Take Time to Be Holy"   sts. 1 & 4

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 #585 "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"  sts. 1 & 3

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 #589 "Lord, I want to Be a Christian"   ALL

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing                                                                          

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!
 

Parting Song: CH #433 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds"      st. 1