A SERVICE OF WORSHIP FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

November 8, 2020

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP – from 1 Thess. 4:16

“The Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

*HYMN “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” #446

CALL TO CONFESSION – 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

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

WORDS OF ASSURANCE 2 Corinthians 5: 17, 18a

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed

away see everything has become new! All this is from God, to whom we have been reconciled through Christ. Through Jesus we are forgiven, we are healed, we are restored.

Thanks 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

O Lord our God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, that we may be obedient to your will and live always for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

SERMON: “Trimmed and Burning” Rev. Barrett Ingram

*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 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” #376

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE

Announcements

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry boxes, labels, and instructions are available in the fellowship hall. Make a child smile and spread the love of Christ. If you are not comfortable shopping right now and would still like to participate, you can make a monetary donation to the church and the supplies will be purchased for your box. Remember to mark your contribution shoeboxes. Deadline for shoeboxes and monetary gifts is November 15th.

The Christian education committee and the minister need to meet with the adult Sunday school teachers next Wednesday night, November 11 at 6:30 to discuss possibilities for meeting together in a safe manner.

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, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson, Bill Marsh, Esther Collier, Madeline NcNeill Long, Shannon Wilcox, Ted Johnson, Clara Wooten Hunsucker, Ernest Ray Long, Jo Campbell, Linda Smith, Susan and David Butler, Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram, Bill Greene, Allison Ward, Jimmy Hickman, Holly Eppley, Betty Faircloth, Susan Deans, Carey King, Sammy Hatcher, Pat Grainger, Kim Worley Sellers, Carmen McQueen, Claudia Hester, Wynn Hair family, Lin Weeks, George Thompson, Billy Hester, Randall Collins, Nellie Macon, Richard and Mary Jane Howell, Family of Jeff Rogers, Family of Carleen Burney and Family of Edison Julius Elkins