CALL TO WORSHIP (Lectern Resource, July 27, 2014)

Leader: From the past we reap rich, time-tested wisdom from sacred Scriptures and from faithful

saints.

People: Praise be to God for the heritage of the old!

Leader: For the future we need fresh inspiration and broadened insights.

People: Praise be to God for the hope of the new!

Leader: In the present we live in the power of the Spirit between Christian heritage and Christian

hope.

People: Praise be to the eternal God of the old and of the new! Amen.

*HYMN “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” #281

CALL TO CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p. 52) Rom. 5:8; Heb. 4:16

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Lectern Resource, July 27, 2014)

God of past, present, and future, we do know that you hold us and all your creation in your hand. But we are creatures, O God, who forget our timelessness. We forget that as ones made in your image we are spiritually alive eternally. We forget that we need not cling to the past or fear the future; for you are ageless and our life is found in you. So we confess our tendency to look back to the days that we have known, to the old memories dear to us, and to judge the present day.

Forgive us our sin, whether a stubborn idolizing of things old, or a naive idealizing of things new. And give us balance of perspective, we pray. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Lectern Resource, July 27, 2014)

God’s word in John 3:16 assures us, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” This is ageless truth. We who believe in the unconditional love of God shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, may know with certainty the joy of sin forgiven and the eternal hope of God’s gracious presence.

*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #579

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

Lord of light who shines into our lives with your holy word. Open our minds and our hearts that your Word may speak to us and your Holy Spirit may inspire us to be your people, today and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Psalm 105: 1-11, 42

*HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” #339

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

SERMON: “Treasured” Rev. David McDonald

*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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN “Lord, Make Us More Holy” #536

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. “ Rom. 15:13

The 2020 Officer Nominating Committee will begin its work in August. Members of the committee are Bill Jackson, Pat Meshaw, Julie Cox, Joyce Ward, Johnny Cox, Terry McEwen, and Julie Ward.

Let us continue to remember those on our Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush, Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson, Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan, Mary Ward, Tim Tart, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson, Johnny Gooden, Carlos Smith, Bill Marsh Esther Collier Madeline NcNeill Long

Shannon Wilcox, Kathy Lashley Ted Johnson Clara Wooten Hunsucker

Ernest Ray Long Jo Campbell, Linda Smith Susan and David Butler

Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram Bill Greene Jamie Clark, Judy Elkins Allison Ward Richard Bridgers Tim Crowder, Jimmy Hickman Holly Eppley, Betty Faircloth, Joan McKeithan, Elizabeth Hall Susan Deans Rosalyn White Carey King, Ray Davis Elnita Chestnut Sammy Hatcher Pat Grainger Ronnel and Ann Burney Kim Worley Sellers The Family of John Ward