Gathering and Greeting of God’s People
Prayer of Preparation Before Worship
Almighty God, You build Your church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Join us together by their teaching, so that we may be a holy temple in whom Your Spirit dwells; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prelude
Call to Worship
Leader: Create in us clean hearts, O God,
People: O Lord, open our lips,
Leader: And our mouths shall declare Your praise!
People: Praise the Lord!
Leader: The Lord’s name be praised!
*Hymn of Praise #482 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty Lobe Den Herren
Call to Confession: (I 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 sins to God…
Prayer of Confession
Searching God, You come to us like a shepherd searching for lost sheep. We hide and we run, sometimes knowing full well that we have strayed, other times completely unaware that we are on the wrong path. Regardless, You come after us. With love and compassion and mercy You come after us. So we make our confession with hope that You might find us again, and wipe away our sin, and return us to Your fold. We pray in the name of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ…. (please continue in silent and personal confession)
Lord have mercy upon us,
Christ have mercy upon us,
Lord have mercy upon us.
Declaration of Forgiveness and Congregational Response
Leader: In Christ, we are given new life.
People: The old is gone away. The new is before us.
Leader: We are freed to live in the present.
People: That is the Good News that sets us free to love!
Leader: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. Thanks be to God.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Minute for Mission The Peacemaking Offering Larry Strickling
A Moment With the Children
*Anthem Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Old Testament Lesson: Deuteronomy 6: 1-9
Testament Lesson: Acts 2: 37-42
Sermon Change… Rev. Patricia N. Harvey
*Affirmation of Faith The Apostle’s Creed Page 14 in Hymnal
*Hymn of Affirmation # 339 Be Thou My Vision Slane
Offering
*Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Time of Sharing and Prayer
*Hymn of Dedication # 538 Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing Sicilian Mariners
*Charge
*Benediction
Congregational Response
God be with you until we meet again:
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care unfurl you:
God be with you until we meet again.
*Postlude
*All who are able, please stand.
