*CALL TO WORSHIP: (Lectern Resource, September 23, 2015)

Jesus said, “If anyone is to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Let us, who choose to be Jesus’ disciples, praise God who is our strength and song, the light for our path and the keeper of our souls.

*HYMN “When Morning Gilds the Skies” #487

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, September 23, 2015)

Holy God, we confess that we want Easter Sunday without Good Friday, the empty tomb without the cross, the fellowship of the faith family without the discipline of discipleship. We know that in a relationship with Jesus there is no room for compromise, for rationalizations or excuses. Either one is a follower or one is not, and to go with Christ is to go all the way.

Yet we confess that we entertain the temptation to be closet Christians, to spare ourselves the cross of standing up and being counted when it entails being ridiculed or derided, isolated or discounted. We have difficulty counting it all joy when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Forgive us, we pray, and strengthen us as your servants. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: (Lectern Resource, September 23, 2015)

Christ suffered and died for our sake that the gospel of peace might forever be a reality for us and the whole world. In receiving God’s forgiveness and in taking up our cross and following Jesus, we declare Christ’s suffering not in vain. Thanks be to God for our salvation!

*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: Psalm 22: 25-31

*HYMN “Take My Life” #391

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 8: 26-40

SERMON: “Finding a Center” 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, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” #538

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 is this 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.

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