WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE                 “Amazing Grace”                                       Dale Wood                                                                                 

*CALL TO WORSHIP – a Celtic Rune of Hospitality

I saw a stranger yesterday;

I put food in the eating place,

drink in the drinking place,

music in the listening place;

and in the sacred name of the Triune God

he blessed me and my house,

my cattle and my dear ones;

and the lark said in her song:

Often, often, often,

goes the Christ in a stranger’s guise.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 321       “The Church’s One Foundation” 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                     

Almighty God, we come before you today as people who are separated from one another by fear, prejudice, and ignorance. By our language, actions and facilities we declare insiders and outsiders in our lives and in your church. Forgive us and create in us the vision of opening our hearts, minds, and doors as wide as your love, so that no one is left outside. Help us to reach beyond ourselves to discover the joy of community. Give us the patience to discover that all people have gifts and abilities to share with our community of faith. We pray in Jesus’ name...

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE 

All the prophets testify about Christ that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) 

The good news therefore is this: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI     “Glory Be to the Father”                #581

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.

MESSAGES FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Romans 15:7-13

SERMON       “Welcoming”             Rev. Barrett Ingram 

Text: Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”                    

                                                                                                    (Romans 15:7)

*HYMN 343 (vss. 1, 4 & 6) “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life”

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH      The Apostles’ Creed       Page 35

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.  

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM     “The Perfect Wisdom of Our God”

                                                                             Townsend/Getty

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY – Hymn 606 

                            Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

                    Praise Him, all creatures here below;

                    Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

                    Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.                                                                          

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 306          “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE