WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 139:1-6

Leader: O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 

People: You know when I sit down and when I rise up; 

you discern my thoughts from far away. 

Leader: You search out my path and my lying down, 

            and are acquainted with all my ways. 

People: Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, 

            you know it completely. 

Leader: You hem me in, behind and before, 

             and lay your hand upon me. 

People: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

             it is so high that I cannot attain it. 

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 620          Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven     

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                     Thomas à Kempis

In confidence of your goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near unto you, as one sick to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a creature to the Creator, a needy soul to my only true comfort. Behold, in you is all that I can or ought to desire. You are my salvation and my redemption, my help and my strength. Cleanse and make glad therefore this day of your servant, for unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul…   

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS from 2nd Corinthians 5:17

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!  All this is from God to whom we have been reconciled by Christ.  Rejoice then, for we are known, accepted, loved and 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:  1 Kings 3:5-12; Matthew 13:31-34

SERMON          “Starting Small”                   Rev. Barrett Ingram  

*HYMN 435          There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy    

*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         

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 310               I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE