*CALL TO WORSHIP: (Lectern Resource, September 14, 2014)

Leader: One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

People: I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous

works.

Leader: The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness.

People: They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and sing aloud of your

righteousness.

Leader: All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

*HYMN “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” #562

CALL TO CONFESSION: (Book of Common Worship, p. 52) 1 John 1:8, 9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Lectern Resource, September 14, 2014)

Saving God, we confess that we often fail to remember and recount the history of your saving action on our behalf in the past, and so in present darkness our faith is weakened. By failing to paint hope with the brush of memory, we lose sight of the images of deliverance which are our heritage. There are dangerous waters within, among, and around us, and we are tempted to fear and forget you are still here and able to deliver. We confess also our failure to pass on to the next generation our testimony to your faithfulness and your power. Forgive us. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: (Lectern Resource, September 14, 2014)

As far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgressions from us . . . For God knows how we were made; and he remembers that we are dust. The compassion and the forgiveness of God, known to us through Christ, are salvation for our souls. Thanks and praise be to God!

*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 READING: Ecclesiastes 4: 1-4

*HYMN “Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds” #412

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Matthew 18: 21-35

SERMON: “Life after the Elections” 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 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” #280

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

Announcements

ANNUAL CONGREGATION/CORPORATION MEETING*

The annual meeting of the congregation/corporation will be held Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 11am in the Sanctuary for the purpose of 1) hearing and acting on the report of the PNC 2) hearing and acting on the report of the 2020 Nominating Committee 3) holding the annual meeting of the corporation.

*masks and social distancing with the assistance of ushers will be required.

Today is Rally Day! Please enjoy you lunch. This is our way of saying we miss you and love you.

The session has approved to continue with no in person worship through the month of September.

“We will meet when the danger is over…..Until then may we always discover faith and love to determine our way.” Hymn “We Will Meet”

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, Susan Deans, Carey King, Ray Davis, Sammy Hatcher, Pat Grainger, Ronnel and Ann Burney, Kim Worley Sellers, Larry Thompson, Carmen McQueen, Elaine Jordan, Roy McKeithan, Claudia Hester, Wynn Hair family