CALL TO WORSHIP (Book of Common Worship, p.354)

Leader: Lord God of the nations, you have revealed your will to all people and promised us

your saving help. May we hear and do what you command, that the darkness may

be overcome by the power of your light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

People: Amen.

*HYMN “Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above” #483

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 (Book of Common Worship, p.53)

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Book of Common Worship, p. 56)

Leader: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus

came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,

that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of

Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

People: Amen.

*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: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

*HYMN “God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand” #262

SERMON TEXT: Matthew 11: 16-19, 28-30

SERMON: “Grace Given” 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 “Guide Me, O Though Great Jehovah” #281

“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

Peace and Global Witness Offering is in October.

Remember the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery.

Please remember in prayer all those on our 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, Family of Maurice Hobbs