GREETINGS, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This is the day the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You know when we sit down and when we rise up.
You discern our thoughts from far away.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. It is so high that we cannot attain it.
Praise the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #487 When Morning Gilds the Skies Laudes Domini
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Everlasting God, You take us as we are and You make us Your own. All Knowing God, we wish we knew ourselves as well as You know us. Week after week we pray ‘forgive us our sins’. And week after week we confess that many of our shortcomings are the same. Lord forgive us, for all the selfish fears we have: fear of failing when You have called us to be faithful not successful; fear of speaking out the truth when You have commissioned us to proclaim Your kingdom not to seek popularity. We are sorry O God, that so often we hold on to the wrong values. Forgive us for knowing that certain things needed to be done and not doing them: the unwritten note, the telephone call we almost made, the missed visit, the small act of kindness or the apology that could have changed a life. Source Of All Truth, search us, cleanse us, free us from all that holds us back from serving You.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Friends in the risen Christ, we are blessed with grace and mercy.
Let us go forwards as forgiven and forgiving people of God,
led in the way everlasting by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
MINUTE FOR MISSION
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 18: 1-11
MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Rev. Patricia Harvey
ANTHEM Trust in the Lord and Do Good Choir
SECOND LESSON Luke 14: 25-33
SERMON The Potter’s Clay Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #392 Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord Hall
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Christ calls us to be disciples in forming his people and sending them into the world Jesus called individuals to be disciples. They were to share the joy of his companionship, to understand and obey his teachings, and to follow him in life and death. We confess that Christians today are called to discipleship. Life shared with Christ and shaped by Christ is God’s undeserved gift to each of us. It is also God’s demand upon every one of us, never perfectly fulfilled by any of us. Forgiven by God and supported by brothers and sisters, we strive to become more faithful and effective in our daily practice of the Christian life. Amen.
SHARING OF CONCERNS AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY Hymn #592
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN #324 Open My Eyes That I May See Open My Eyes
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn #322
Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.
*POSTLUDE
*All who are able may stand.
