PRAYER OF INVOCATION: (Lectern Resource, August 3, 2008)

Leader: Come to us, Spirit of God. Breathe life into our weary souls. Stir among us to connect us

to each other. Call us again to your side to be renewed by your life-giving love. The cares

of life burden us and our worries weigh us down. But we have heard your call to be

gathered here today among your people in the presence of your word. We seek to be

attentive to you, to be still, to listen. You have the words of eternal life. Speak them to us

through songs, prayers, the Holy Scripture, sermon, and the consoling words from this

family of faith. In Jesus’ name,

People: Amen.

*HYMN “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” #466

CALL TO CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p. 53) Hebrews 4:14–16

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Lectern Resource, August 3, 2008)

We struggle with you, O God. We want you in our life, but when we get too close to you we feel threatened, afraid of what we might lose. We are drawn to your compassion and love, but your holiness scares us, and we pull away. In your presence our shortcomings are so obvious, and we feel small and know we are much less than you want us to be. In the light of your holiness we meet our sin, and before we know it we become defensive and the struggle continues. Forgive us, O God, that we might live in your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: (Lectern Resource, August 3, 2008)

Leader: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the

world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” The peace

of God does not remove our struggles, but it comes to us as a gift of grace even in the

midst of our struggle. We are the descendants of Israel, all who strive with God, and Jesus

came to bring God’s peace to all who know that strife.

People: Thanks be to God. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #579

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord of light who shines into our lives with your holy word. Open our minds and our hearts that your Word may speak to us and your Holy Spirit may inspire us to be your people, today and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PSALM READING: Psalm 23

*HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” #263

SERMON TEXT: Genesis 32: 22-31

SERMON: “Struggles and Blessings” Rev. David McDonald

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his

only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the

third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the

dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the

forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*”catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” #420

Announcements

***The 2020 Officer Nominating Committee will begin its work in August. Members of the committee are Bill Jackson, Pat Meshaw, Julie Cox, Joyce Ward, Johnny Cox, Terry McEwen, and Julie Ward.

The worship committee will meet at 4:00 on Sunday, August 2^nd at the church.

Bridger Warlick is being presented a bible by the Presbyterian Women today and is also performing special music for the video service.

Let us continue to remember those on our Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush, Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson, Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan, Mary Ward, Tim Tart, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson, Johnny Gooden, Carlos Smith, Bill Marsh Esther Collier Madeline NcNeill Long

Shannon Wilcox, Kathy Lashley Ted Johnson Clara Wooten Hunsucker

Ernest Ray Long Jo Campbell, Linda Smith Susan and David Butler

Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram Bill Greene Jamie Clark, Judy Elkins Allison Ward Richard Bridgers Tim Crowder, Jimmy Hickman Holly Eppley, Betty Faircloth, Joan McKeithan, Elizabeth Hall Susan Deans Carey King, Ray Davis Elnita Chestnut Sammy Hatcher Pat Grainger Ronnel and Ann Burney Kim Worley Sellers Larry Thompson