WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION
PRELUDE “Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove”
arr. Eleanor Whitsett
*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 84
Leader: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
People: My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
Leader: my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
People: Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
Leader: where she may lay her young,
before you O Lord of hosts.
People: Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
Leader: For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #12 (vss. 1 & 4) “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION – St. Augustine
Creator God, who did not forget me when I forgot you, enter this soul which you inspired with longing. For not even the heart which is most turned in on itself can hide from your sight. So find me in my seeking, that I may discover it is for you alone that I long…
Silent Prayers of confession
WORDS OF ASSURANCE – Ephesians 3:20
Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, God is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.
So, hear and believe the good news:
in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*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: Ephesians 6:10–20
SERMON “Dressed and Ready” Rev. Barrett Ingram
*HYMN #846 (vss. 1 & 4) “Fight the Good Fight”
*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.
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation”
(to meditate on words, see hymn 394)
RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY
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 #269 (vss. 1 & 3) “Lead On, O King Eternal!”
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Fanfare of Praise” Jason Krug