WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE “Amazing Grace” Robert J. Powell

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 32

Leader: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, all you people of God,

and shout for joy, because your heart seeks God.

People: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

Leader: May all your people offer prayer

and thanksgiving to your Holy Name.

People: O Lord, you are a hiding place for us.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of Mercy, in Jesus Christ you have brought light into the darkness. But we confess that we have chosen to remain in the darkness where we have made our home. You would give us life, but we have grown accustomed to death. You would give us love, but we have nurtured resentment too long. You would give us hope, but we are afraid hope will disappoint us once again. Forgive us, O God. Forgive us for being afraid of your salvation…

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE -- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hear the good news: Those who are in Christ are a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God to whom we have been reconciled through Christ. And so, I declare to you, 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.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

SERMON “Getting Lost” Rev. Barrett Ingram

*HYMN 418 “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Brief Statement of Faith

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry,

God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

“O, My God, Bestow Thy Tender Mercy” Pergolesi/Hopson

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 649 “Amazing Grace”

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “Fugue in A minor” J. S. Bach

*Those who are able are invited to stand.