WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION
PRELUDE “From Heaven Above” A. W. Leupold
*CALL TO WORSHIP – from 1 Thess. 4:16
Leader: The Lord himself, with a cry of command,
People: with the archangel's call and with
the sound of God's trumpet,
Leader: will descend from heaven,
People: and the dead in Christ will rise first.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN 366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
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 FORGIVENESS -- 2 Corinthians 5: 17, 18a
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. 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: Matthew 25:1-13
SERMON “Are You Ready?” Rev. Barrett Ingram
*HYMN Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers
Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear;
the evening is advancing, and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising and soon is drawing nigh.
Up, pray and watch and wrestle; at midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvations, the end of sin and toil.
The marriage feast is waiting; the gates wide open stand;
arise, O heirs of glory; the Bridegroom is at hand!
Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for, above this shadowed sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption, and ever be with thee!
*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 ANTHEM
“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning” Spiritual
RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn 606
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN 625 How Great Thou Art
*BENEDICTION AND RESPONSE (ALL)
The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord make His face
to shine on you and be gracious, gracious.
The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord lift His countenance on you and give peace, give you peace. Amen.
*POSTLUDE “Trumpets in Dialoque” Louis Clerambault