WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION
PRELUDE “Fairest Lord Jesus” arr. Diane Bish
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: O Lord, our gracious God,
from all around the world this day,
People: May a joyful shout of praise rise
to your holy presence!
Leader: May the gladness of our God fill every heart!
People: As we gather round your table, O Christ,
Leader: Your people rejoice in your salvation!
People: May the whole world know that you alone are God!
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We have not loved the world, O God, as we should. We have not forgiven our enemies seventy times seven. We have not gladly turned the other cheek when people have offended us. We have not gone the second mile with most people, and with some not even the first. Yet you have loved us with a steady and unchangeable love. You have been generous to us far beyond what we could expect, and merciful when we deserved no mercy. Forgive us, Lord, for seeing the faults of others and not seeing our own…
Silent Prayers of confession
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
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 through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5: 17, 18a). Through Jesus we are forgiven, we are healed, we are restored.
Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #581
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Psalm 8; Mark 10: 13-16
SERMON: “All Are Welcome!” Rev. David McDonald
*HYMN 515 “I Come with Joy”
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
“Children of the Heavenly Father” arr. Dan Forrest
*DOXOLOGY “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #606
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN 500 “Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread”
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer
Communion of the People
Prayer after Communion
*HYMN 310 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE “Postlude” L. Niedermeyer
*Those that are able are invited to stand.
About World Communion Sunday
The first Sunday in October is designated as World Communion Sunday, which celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. Paul tells us that we are to “discern the body” when we partake of Holy Communion, mindful that we note our relationship to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in the celebration (1 Corinthians 11:29). World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) is a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical Church. The first celebration occurred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, PA) in 1933, and the tradition spread to other churches and denominations. Today, World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world, transcending boundaries of denomination, geography, and language.