THE GATHERING
* Those willing and able please stand
Gathering Music: Hymn #300 “We Are One in the Spirit”
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude: “October Morning” by Martha Mier
* Call to Worship
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever.
How can a mortal receive eternal life? For God all things are possible.
Let us pray together:
* Prayer of the Day
Listening God, hear your church today as we bring our joys and our concerns, our thanksgivings and our petitions. Fill us with the assurance that you truly hear our words and thoughts, our songs and our tears. In the name of the one who shows us the way, Christ our Lord, Amen.
* Hymn of Praise: #749 “Come! Live in the Light!”
* Invitation to Healing
God is not far from us. When trouble is near, God is our help and our refuge. Let us confess our sins to God, that we might, in grace, receive mercy.
* Prayer of Wholeness
Eternal God, we confess that we do not always seek your will in discernment. You have shown us what is good, but we remain enthralled by all that surrounds and bombards us. You have offered us abundance, but we seek after wealth. Forgive us, God of grace. By the power of your Word cut away all that is false and open our hearts to new life; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
* Hymn #437 “You are the Lord, Giver of Mercy”
* 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 with one another.
* Sung Response Hymn #591: “Halle, Halle, Halle” (Chorus 2x)
Celebrating Joys: Where We Have Seen God at Work
Sung Response Hymn #628 “Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord”
THE WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
Your Word, O God, is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. May your Word be for us today life and action, beacon and gavel. In the name of the Living Word we pray. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture Reading: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 pp. 639-640
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16 p. 299
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31 pp. 64-65
“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”
Reflection: “TL 10-10-2021 Grace and Witness“ ~ Pastor Scott
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
* Hymn of Response: Hymn #538 “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises”
Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant for those Uniting with a Congregation
Elders on behalf of Session: (Doug Anderson, Clerk of Session, and Judy Smith, Elder)
Doug and Judy: On behalf of the session we present Joannie Williams, who is being received into the membership of this congregation by reaffirmation of faith, Rev. Warren Williams, who would like to be enrolled as an Affiliate Member of this congregation, and Lynne Martin, entering into membership of First Presbyterian Church in Trout Lake by letter of transfer from First Presbyterian Church of Corvallis, Oregon.
Scott: Please come forward to the baptismal font. Joannie, Warren, and Lynne: You come to us as members of the one holy catholic and apostolic church, into which you were baptized, and by which you have been nurtured in various houses of worship throughout your life. Know this: We are one with each other, sisters and brothers in the family of God; we rejoice in the gifts you bring to us. As you join with us in worship and service with this congregation, it is fitting that together all of us reaffirm the covenant into which we were baptized, claiming again the promises of God given to us. Those willing and able, please rise. Hear these words from Holy Scripture: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Maker of all, who, in the Divine Mystery is above all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4-6) Sisters and brothers in Christ, our baptism is the sign and seal of our cleansing from sin, and of our being grafted into Christ. Through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the power of sin was broken, and God’s kingdom entered our world. Through our baptism we were made citizens of God’s kingdom and freed from the bondage of sin. Let us celebrate that freedom and redemption through the renewal of the promises made at our own baptisms.
Constitutional Questions:
I ask all of us present, therefore, once again to reject sin, to profess our faith in Christ Jesus, and to confess the faith of the Church. Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
I do.
Who is your Lord and Savior?
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
I will, with God’s help.
With the whole church, let us confess our faith together.
All shall recite or read the Apostle’s Creed (Hymnal page 35).
Judy: Joannie, you have publicly professed your faith. Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Doug: Warren, retaining your ecclesiastical status as retired clergy from the Greater Milwaukee Synod (SE Wisconsin) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will you be a faithful Affiliate Member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Judy: Lynne, you have publicly professed your faith. Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Scott: Let us pray: Faithful God, you work in us and through us even when we do not know it. Even when our paths have wandered, still you guide us back to yourself. We thank you for calling your servants Joannie, Warren, and Lynne to this fellowship of your people. Renew in them the covenant you made in their baptisms. By the power of the Holy Spirit, strengthen them in faith and love that they may serve you with joy, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Laying on of Hands. (Please feel free to use hand sanitizer immediately before this ritual to protect all, or in lieu of coming forward to lay on hands, raise your hands toward our new members from where you sit)
Doug: The session invites anyone wishing to lay hands on Joannie, Warren, and Lynne to stop at the hand sanitizer station if you wish to come forward for physical laying on of hands, or if you are more comfortable remaining where you sit, raise your hands toward our new members as we bless their membership with us.
Those wishing to participate in the laying on of hands use sanitizer, then come forward and place their hands on those to be received. If you cannot reach the recipients directly, lay your hands on whomever is in front of you, creating a chain.
Scott: Holy God, you who have called to us out of the deep, by your Spirit uphold Joannie, Warren, and Lynne in membership of this congregation. Daily increase in them your gifts of grace: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever more. Amen?
Amen!
May it be so.
Reception of Joannie and Warren Williams and Lynne Martin
Joannie and Lynne, you are now official members of First Presbyterian Church of Trout Lake; may your spiritual life continue to bloom and grow as you join your gifts with this community of faith. Warren, as an Affiliate Member of First Presbyterian Church of Trout Lake, you retain all membership rights and responsibilities within your home denomination, still bound by your ordination vows to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Presbyterian Church (USA) recognizes your ordination and gifts for ministry in full communion with us, so we joyfully celebrate with you as you voluntarily extend the grace of God to this congregation, as your retired ministerial status and conscious allows.
All may greet the Williams and Lynne as we return to our seats for the conclusion of worship
Intercessory Prayers of the People
Call and response: “Lord in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”
Invitation to Present Our Offerings
All that we have – our lives, our possessions – comes from God, to whom we owe everything. Come, then, and give, for Scripture tells us that in giving, we will have treasure in heaven.
Offertory: “Minuet” by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Doxology: Hymn #606 using text from #607
Prayer of Thanksgiving/Dedication
Gracious God, we present these gifts and renew our commitment to leave everything behind and follow you. Give us the courage to fulfill your will so that with everything we do and say we can become a living offering worthy of being called your disciples. Amen.
SENDING
Closing Hymn: #539 “We Will Go Out with Joy”
Charge: Let us hold fast to confessing that Jesus is the Son of God, brought to this earth to understand our weaknesses and to show us how to live as his disciples. Be bold and courageous, trusting in God’s grace, love, and mercy.
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 you talk to God when you feel that God is not listening? How can you be a better disciple, considering the radical words of Jesus in Mark that you have to sell all you own, give the money to the poor, and then follow him?
Household Morning and Evening Prayers:
Take some time in the Autumn light to sit outside and listen to nature’s sounds, both morning and evening. In the listening, let your prayers be lifted up wordless on wings or wind to God.
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