January 28, 2018

THEME:Called by the Need

NOTES:Today's scripture examines how the circumstances of our daily life can present a call to ministry in the form of a significant need. It encourages us to see ourselves as equipped to respond, even to dire needs, because we always have access to compassion.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:25-37
²⁵ Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.^[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” ²⁷ He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
²⁹ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii,^[b] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ ³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”


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# 16 "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"     ALL

Call to Worship   

Leader: Jesus calls us
to praise and prayer,

to song and silence;
People: Jesus calls us to worship.

Leader: Jesus calls us
to hear and heal,

to serve and stand together;
People: Jesus calls us to love.

Leader: Jesus calls us
to advocate and act,

to protect and provide;
People: Jesus calls us to justice.
 

Leader: Let us heed the call of Christ.
People: Let us worship together with joy.

~  written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

            

Invocation (UNISON)

Lord God, the source of all good things,

we pause in your presence and hold our day before you. 

Still us, calm us, guide us as we enter this day.

Awaken in us new depths of compassion.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture                                      

Sermon                
                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern     
                                   

Prayer Hymn: CH#227 "In the Garden"      ALL

Praying Together       

"For the Gift of Sight"

Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of sight:

 for the ability to see the delicate beauty 

  of an intricate flower, 

  a cotton-summer sky, 

  an old woman,

  a newborn baby;

For the ability to read

  books,

  Bibles,

  directions,

  dictionaries;

For the ability to see what we often miss:

  A child about to lose control,

  A girl trying to hide her pride in achievement.

  A boy emerging from shyness,

  A parent struggling to conceal weakness,

  The hidden beauty in an old piece of furniture,

  The meaning of a four year old's drawing,

  Signs of distress in an animal's eyes,

  The delicate sparkle in love-filled eyes.

Open our eyes while it is yet day. 

Let us see our world as Christ saw his world, 

not missing the beauty,

not turning away from the unattractive.

We pray now for those who help us to see:

  For vision specialists who help improve or save our vision;

  For counselors who help us put life in perspective;

  For artists who see meaning and beauty in common materials;

  For all who inspire us and help us to see something good 

    and beautiful in the most unlikely persons. 

For ourselves, O Lord, we ask for unclouded vision:

  For the ability to see members of our family as they are at this moment, 

     and to love them without judgement;

  For the good sense not to waste the gift of sight on visual distractions;

  For the courage to focus on the immediate needs you call us to see

     and address;

  For the determination to take a long, loving look at Jesus Christ,

     and see in him what we may become.

This we pray, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.

-a prayer from Heartfelt Prayers: For Your Life Today by Robert Winfield Shaffer, Berea College Printing Services, 2017.

 

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table                        

Communion  Hymn: CH# 413  "Take Our Bread"    ALL

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                                              

Discipleship Hymn: CH 5#601 "I Am Thine, O Lord"        sts. 1, 2 & 4

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: Jesus calls us
to praise and prayer,

to song and silence;
People: Jesus calls us to worship.

Leader: Jesus calls us
to hear and heal,

to serve and stand together;
People: Jesus calls us to love.

Leader: Jesus calls us
to advocate and act,

to protect and provide;
People: Jesus calls us to justice.
 

Leader: Let us heed the call of Christ.
People: Let us worship together with joy.

~  written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

          

Hymn of Praise: W&S Green #3176 "Come, Now is the Time to Worship"

Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, jsut as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before your God.

One day every tongue will confess you are God.
One day every knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose you now.

Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before your God.

One day every tongue will confess you are God.
One day every knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose you now.

Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before your God.

Come. Come. Come.

Invocation (UNISON)

Lord God, the source of all good things,

we pause in your presence and hold our day before you. 

Still us, calm us, guide us as we enter this day.

Awaken in us new depths of compassion.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

                                     
Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.   
   

Hymn of Faith: CH 526 "The Gift of Love"    ALL

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

Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children,
we praise you for all you have given us,
for all you have done for us,
for all that you are to us.
In our weakness, you are strength,
in our darkness, you are light,
in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace.
We cannot number your blessings,
we cannot declare your love:
For all your blessings we bless you.
May we live as in your presence,
and love the things that you love,
and serve you in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ written by St. Boniface (ca. 672-754)

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture
                                                                     

Anthem

Children’s Sermon                                                       

Sermon                                                        

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns                                        

Prayer Hymn: W&S Green #3008 "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord"    

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart; 
I want to see you,
I want to see you.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart; 
I want to see you,
I want to see you.
To see you high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of your glory.
Pour out your power and love
As we sing "Holy, holy, holy."


Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart; 
I want to see you,
I want to see you.

Praying Together 
                                                            

For the Gift of Sight

Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of sight:

 for the ability to see the delicate beauty 

  of an intricate flower, 

  a cotton-summer sky, 

  an old woman,

  a newborn baby;

For the ability to read

  books,

  Bibles,

  directions,

  dictionaries;

For the ability to see what we often miss:

  A child about to lose control,

  A girl trying to hide her pride in achievement.

  A boy emerging from shyness,

  A parent struggling to conceal weakness,

  The hidden beauty in an old piece of furniture,

  The meaning of a four year old's drawing,

  Signs of distress in an animal's eyes,

  The delicate sparkle in love-filled eyes.

Open our eyes while it is yet day. 

Let us see our world as Christ saw his world, 

not missing the beauty,

not turning away from the unattractive.

We pray now for those who help us to see:

  For vision specialists who help improve or save our vision;

  For counselors who help us put life in perspective;

  For artists who see meaning and beauty in common materials;

  For all who inspire us and help us to see something good 

    and beautiful in the most unlikely persons. 

For ourselves, O Lord, we ask for unclouded vision:

  For the ability to see members of our family as they are at this moment, 

     and to love them without judgement;

  For the good sense not to waste the gift of sight on visual distractions;

  For the courage to focus on the immediate needs you call us to see

     and address;

  For the determination to take a long, loving look at Jesus Christ,

     and see in him what we may become.

This we pray, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.

-a prayer from Heartfelt Prayers: For Your Life Today by Robert Winfield Shaffer, Berea College Printing Services, 2017.

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# 403 "In Remembrance of Me"      ALL

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer                                                          

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship                                                    


Discipleship Hymn: CH#467 "Fill the World with Love"   sts. 1, 2 &3

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#467 "Fill the World with Love"   st. 4