THEME: Giving Joyful Thanks to God
NOTES: Today's scripture shares a unique understanding of the role of Jesus Christ. The writer says "In Christ, all things hold together..." and uses the Greek word for "glue." Colossians
is written to a church in its second generation trying to move into a
more mature state of organization and structure. The author reminds the church that their identity, what holds them together as a body is the power of God in Christ Jesus. And, as with many of the Epistles to churches, the author roots this identity in "giving thanks." "Giving joyful thanks" to God is our best response to the One who has reached out and gathered us into one body. Further more, giving thanks brings us into a point of view where we can see and appreciate and engage in the fellowship of God-Creator, Savior and Spirit. Where can our life together as a congregation be transformed by this "glue?" What points of view will thankfulness and giving thanks open up in our life together?
Scripture:
Colossians 1:11-20
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
8:30 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn
Call to Worship
Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.
~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/
Invocation
This morning, Lord,
we want everything to be for your glory.
We want our thoughts,
our words, our songs,
our church, our community,
our resources, our time, our lives:
all to be for you.
Everything ours is yours,
and we come together to declare this to be so,
on this holy day of thanksgiving.
Bless our time together with your holy presence,
Amen.
~
written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading in Worship.
http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/2013/10/thanksgiving-call-to-worship.html
We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn
Praying Together
God of the living,
with all Your creatures great and small
we sing Your bounty and Your goodness,
for in the harvest of land and ocean,
in the cycles of the seasons,
and the wonders of each creature,
You reveal Your generosity.
Teach us the gratitude that dispels envy,
that we may honor each gift as You cherish Your creation,
and praise You in all times and places.
That this day may be holy, good and joyful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may offer to You our worship and praise along
with the work of our hands, minds and hearts:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That in the pleasures and pains of life,
we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by Your Holy Spirit,
in communion with all Your holy ones,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may always and everywhere give thanks to You, O God,
for all of our blessings and giftedness:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
~ posted on the website of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.
www.cbmidwest.org/
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn
Blessing
10:40 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship
Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.
~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/
Praise Hymn
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
This morning, Lord,
we want everything to be for your glory.
We want our thoughts,
our words, our songs,
our church, our community,
our resources, our time, our lives:
all to be for you.
Everything ours is yours,
and we come together to declare this to be so,
on this holy day of thanksgiving.
Bless our time together with your holy presence,
Amen.
~
written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading in Worship.
http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/2013/10/thanksgiving-call-to-worship.html
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn
We Contemplate God's Word
Presentation of Bibles
Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn
Praying Together
God of the living,
with all Your creatures great and small
we sing Your bounty and Your goodness,
for in the harvest of land and ocean,
in the cycles of the seasons,
and the wonders of each creature,
You reveal Your generosity.
Teach us the gratitude that dispels envy,
that we may honor each gift as You cherish Your creation,
and praise You in all times and places.
That this day may be holy, good and joyful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may offer to You our worship and praise along
with the work of our hands, minds and hearts:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That in the pleasures and pains of life,
we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by Your Holy Spirit,
in communion with all Your holy ones,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may always and everywhere give thanks to You, O God,
for all of our blessings and giftedness:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
~ posted on the website of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.
www.cbmidwest.org/
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn
Blessing
Closing Hymn
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