A SERVICE OF WORSHIP FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 5, 2021

WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE Prelude on “O Waly, Waly” Sue Mitchell-Wallace

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Ministers Annual Manual, May 29, 2014)

Leader: Clap your hands and shout for joy.

People: For the Lord God is an awesome God.

Leader: God rules over heaven and earth.

People: God rules to bring us new life.

Leader: God sends the Spirit of Christ,

People: To take us to the ends of the earth.

Leader: Lead your church, O Holy Spirit,

People: Make us bold in our witness to our Lord Jesus

Christ.

Leader: Teach us your ways; give us your wisdom,

People: That we bring healing and hope in Jesus’ name.

*HYMN #624 (vss. 1 & 5)

“I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p.53)

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you

with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Book of Common Worship, p. 56) 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24

Leader: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead

to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

People: Amen.

*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 LESSONS Psalm 67 & Mark 7: 24-37

SERMON Openings for Dialogue Rev. David McDonald

*HYMN #757 (vss. 1 & 4)

Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples”

*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 “O God, Show Mercy to Us

(to meditate on words, see hymn 341)

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 #610 (vss. 1 &5) “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Postlude on “Thaxted” Matthew Machemer

*Those that are able are invited to stand.