THE GATHERING
* Those willing and able please stand
Gathering Music: Hymn #630 “Fairest Lord Jesus”
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude: “Come, Share the Lord” by Jeffrey Leech
* Call to Worship
Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets,
But in the last days he has spoken to us through his Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory, and he sustains all things in the world by his powerful Word. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should give his only son to suffering for our salvation.
Therefore we will proclaim God’s name. In the midst of the congregation, we will praise God.
Let us pray:
* Prayer of the Day
God, sometimes we do not understand why bad things happen to good people. Sometimes all we can do is lift up our eyes and hearts to heaven, and scream out loud, Why? Sometimes we do not want to persist in our integrity; we allow our suffering to lead us into despair. Yet wisdom comes from listening to your Word. Enable us to see the life you have given us through the laughter, joy, trial, and tribulation of your son Jesus Christ, who lived, suffered, died, and was raised for us. In his name we pray. Amen.
* Hymn of Praise: #410 “God Is Calling through the Whisper”
* Invitation to Healing
In God, we find light for our darkness, and through that light we discover the things that separate us from God and one another. In this discovery we are invited to offer ourselves to God, submitting our hearts and minds that we may receive healing of our hurts – and our tendency to hurt. Let us offer ourselves to God:
* Prayer of Wholeness
You gave us commandments, God of love, because you know the hardness of our hearts. You have created us to live in community, and still we oppress others and separate ourselves from each other and from you. Jesus loved the children, but there are still children in the world who live in hunger and fear, rejected and unloved; even grown children. Forgive us, and call us to faithfulness. Bind all your children of every age together as sisters and brothers, and nurture us with your love and forgiveness, that we might share what we have been given, and receive your kingdom with the wonder and gratitude of children. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
* Hymn #471 “O Lord, Hear My Prayer” (Repeat 3x)
* Assurance of God’s Presence and Passing of the Peace
Friends, believe this Good News: God is One and God is Three – Love constantly flowing in, out, and through; the gift of Jesus Christ for me and for you. For this we say:
Thanks be to God!
Since God has loved us through Christ, let us love one another; the Lord be with you!
And also with you!
Please share a sign of peace.
* Sung Response Hymn #591: “Halle, Halle, Halle” (Chorus 2x)
Celebrating Joys: Where We Have Seen God at Work
Sung Response Hymn #647 “Give Thanks”
THE WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors; then when the time was right, God spoke to us through Jesus Christ. God is still speaking! Through the Spirit and through the Word written down after the time of Jesus. Open our hearts and minds, that we may see Your light. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture Reading: Job 1:1, 2:1-10 pp. 167-618
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 pp. 296-297
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16 p. 64
“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”
Reflection: “TL 10-3-2021 Intentional Union?” ~ Pastor Scott
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
* Hymn of Response: Hymn #523 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”
* Affirmation of Faith: ~ Adapted from section 4, A Brief Statement of Faith, PC(USA)
“We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.”
Intercessory Prayers of the People
Call and response: “Lord in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”
Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
Invitation to Present Our Offerings
From the riches of God’s grace, let us present our gifts of gratitude to bless those in need. As ushers come forward to receive our morning offering, let us examine our minds and hearts in preparation for offering ourselves at the Table of our Lord.
Offertory: “Minuet” by Carols Seixas
* Doxology: Hymn #609
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
* Prayer of Dedication
Blessed are you, our Comfort. You have given Jesus, your only son, who was made lower than the angels, for our sake. With thanksgiving, we give of what you have provided, that your will may be done in this world. Give us the wisdom and courage to do so always. In the name of Jesus we pray the prayer he taught the disciples, saying:
* The Lord’s Prayer (…debts…debtors…)
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
This is the joyful feast of the people of God! People will come from north and south and from east and west to sit at table in the kingdom of God.
According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took bread, blessed and broke, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that he has prepared.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
How can we thank you, O God? For sun and moon and stars, for breath and life and all things good, for your steadfast promise and your faithful love, for the day that is surely coming when all things will be made new. With saints, with angels, and with the whole creation, we join the ancient and eternal hymn:
Hymn Hymn #552 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Together, we continue:
We give you thanks, Holy God, for Jesus, who came to be your living Word, to baptize us with Spirit and fire, to feed the hungry, to humble the mighty, and to announce the good news of your coming realm. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Come to me and never be hungry.”
We remember how, when the hour had come, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles and spoke these words: “Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Jesus also said: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Believe in me and never thirst.”
After supper he poured a cup and spoke these words: “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever; and all God’s people said: Amen!
All has been prepared and the table awaits. These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God!
Communion of the People. Zoom participants are invited to share your own bread and cup together at home. When you have finished partaking of the sacraments, all may join repeating:
Hymn of Reflection: #654 “In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful”
Prayer following Communion
Let us pray together:
We give you thanks, Eternal God, for the gifts of grace we have received from your hand, and for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
Closing Hymn: #275 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Charge:
Go out into the world and live as children, dependent on God and on each other, obedient to the will of God, holding tight to God’s hand, citizens of the kingdom.
Benediction: “Deep peace be with you…”
Friends, this worship has ended, let our service begin!
Congregational Song: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Questions for Reflection:
How do we persist in our integrity when the hard times come? If we receive the good things that God provides for us, what can we do with the bad things that happen in our lives? What is God’s relationship to the difficulties that we encounter?
Household Morning Prayer:
Help us, God, as we rise this day, to seek out your will as we enjoy the good and suffer through the bad. Refine us, O God, so that we can learn the steps we need to take to follow your ways. Amen.
Household Evening Prayer:
Remind me in my sleep tonight, O God, that if ever I feel dejected, like a child lost and rejected, your comfort is but waiting to surround me, to help me feel where I belong. Thank you for your embracing heart, for making me feel special and loved, for helping me up, and for saying that you are my brother, my Savior, my friend. Amen.
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