CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 27

PRAYER OF THE DAY

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                    

O God, we confess the blindness that is not even aware of sinning; the pride that dares not admit that it is wrong; the selfishness that can see nothing but its own will; the righteousness that knows no fault; the callousness that has ceased to care; the defiance that does not regret its own sins; the evasion that always tries to make excuses; the coldness of heart that is too hardened to repent.  God, we are sinners; be merciful to us… 

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

The good news is that God has continued to love and save us (Psalm 36 v.10) in and through Jesus - whom we confess as Savior and Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Friends, believe these words of grace: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: 

Isaiah 9:1-4 

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
    and the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

1st Corinthians 1:10-18

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

SERMON        “Without Let or Hindrance”      

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION