*CALL TO WORSHIP: (Lectern Resource, March 23, 2014)

Leader: The Messiah is come, not to meet our expectations, but to bring us the unexpected;

People: not to be known according to our definition, but to define us and reveal our true identity.

Leader: The Messiah is come, hidden among the poor and lowly, not to be readily understood but to understand our need,

People: not to defend our descriptions but stretch our imaginations, intrude into our settled arrangements, and challenge our conceptions.

Leader: Let us open our hearts and minds to receive the mysterious Christ, present in our midst, moving unpredictably in our lives.

People: Let us worship God!

*HYMN “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” #142

CALL TO CONFESSION: (Book of Common Worship, p. 53) See 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, March 23, 2014)

Lord Jesus, you come to us in surprise encounters and, like the woman at the well. We only gradually recognize who it is that you must be. You reveal your knowledge of us and our past lies bare before you, even as you speak to our present need. Help us to see our lives as you know them and to acknowledge the sin within us.

We confess the arrogance in thinking that we humans have discovered all there is about God and creation. We confess that we close our minds to your ongoing revelation of who you are, of what life is about, and to the possibilities beyond what we now conceive. We confess the limits of our mental constructs and experiences, in this life and concerning the next. Save us, forgive us, and free us, we pray. Amen.

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: (Lectern Resource, March 23, 2014)

God performed a miracle of love in breaking down the barrier created by our sin. Though we have only gradually understood who the Messiah is, we claim by faith the salvation and freedom that is God’s gift through Christ. God’s boundless love is revealed, and assurance of pardon and eternal life is ours. Alleluia!

*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: Exodus 17: 1-7

*HYMN “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” #423

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Revelation 22: 1-2

SERMON: “Mumblings and Miracles” 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

Peace and Global Witness Offering is in October.

Remember the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery.

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, Sammy Hatcher, Pat Grainger, Ronnel and Ann Burney, Kim Worley Sellers, Larry Thompson, Carmen McQueen, Elaine Jordan, Roy McKeithan, Claudia Hester, Wynn Hair family, Jeff Rogers, Lin Weeks, George Thompson, Billy Hester, Randall Collins, Nellie Macon, Family of Ray Davis, Family of Lois Yandle