*CALL TO WORSHIP: (Lectern Resource, August 17, 2008)

Leader: And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three;

People: And the greatest of these is love.

Leader: Why is love the greatest?

People: Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your

soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a

second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Leader: What about faith?

People: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our

Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is God’s gift that saves us.

Leader: But living in today’s world calls for hope. Hope is more than positive thinking, more than

simply not worrying. Many in our world have lost hope. Where is our hope?

People: It is outside of our self. It comes to us as a gift. “Blessed be the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living

hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Leader: Listen today for words of hope!

People: Thanks be to God. Amen.

*HYMN “Morning Has Broken” #469

CALL TO CONFESSION: (Book of Common Worship, p. 53) Heb. 4:14–16

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Lectern Resource, August 17, 2008)

Gracious God, we confess to you that we are drawn toward fear and despair. We are guilty of losing hope and wallowing in worry over ourselves. We have failed to trust in you and your promise that you are with us always and that nothing shall separate us from your love. Forgive us for placing our fears above your promises. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: (Lectern Resource, August 17, 2008)

Do we recognize our fears and worries as sin, as a failure to trust in God? Jesus said, “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” God’s beloved people, “the Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Receive that peace.

*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.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 15: 21-28

*HYMN “In Christ There Is No East or West” #439

EPISTLE READING: Romans: 11: 1-2a, 29-32

SERMON: “Surprised By Grace” 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

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philem. 25

Announcements

***The 2020 Officer Nominating Committee is at work. Members of the committee are Bill Jackson, Pat Meshaw, Julie Cox, Joyce Ward, Johnny Cox, Terry McEwen, and Julie Ward.

The fall 2020, The Present Word, Sunday school books are in and can be picked up at the door of the Adult Sunday school room. Or call the church office and have one set outside for you to pick up.

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, Carey King, Ray Davis, Elnita Chestnut, Sammy Hatcher, Pat Grainger, Ronnel and Ann Burney, Kim Worley Sellers, Larry Thompson, Carmen McQueen, Randy West,

Family of Michael McEwen, Family of Daphne Horne