Sample Sermon
Words for Reflection: In every child who is born under no matter what circumstances and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again, and in him [or her], too, once more, and each of us, our terrific responsibility toward human life. -- James Agee
GATHERING AS THE CHURCH
MEDITATION WITH MUSIC: Preparing for Worship
CHIMES
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Choral Introit
Litany
One: We praise you, Lord! We give thanks to you with our whole heart!
All: Great are your works, full of honor and majesty and studied by all who delight in them.
One: The works of your hands are faithful and just.
All: Your precepts are trustworthy.
One: Our reverence for you is the beginning of wisdom.
All: You are to be praised forever.
*HYMN Let the Whole Creation Cry #21
*UNISON PRAYER
All-knowing Creator, from whom comes every good and perfect gift, we praise you for the wisdom, power, and love displayed in the natural universe and in humanity, whom you have placed within it to care for it and nurture it. Light of the world, we praise you for being the eternal truth! Revealer of the deep things of God, we praise you for your gifts of awe and wonder which lead us on the path of true wisdom. Bless our learning with your Spirit. Amen.
PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL
CHORAL ANTHEM
CHURCH STAFF: PASTOR – THE REV. VALERIE COE LOWDER; CHOIR DIRECTOR – DEAN ENGLERT; ORGANIST – PHOEBE PACLEB; CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR – CHERYL MCINTOSH; OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR- STEPHANIE; CUSTODIAN – ROBERT
RECOGNITION OF CHILDREN AND GRADUATES Lisa Dlubala-Madison
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL OFFERING This Little Light of Mine Marsha Wallace
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
One: The peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
*SONG OF PRAISE Glory Be to the Father #35
*SCRIPTURE READING 1 Samuel 3: 1 – 10
*HYMN Fill My Cup Lord #351
*SCRIPTURE READING 1 Timothy 4: 12 – 16
SERMON The Gift That Is In You
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD
Invitation to Give
Offertory
*Song of Praise Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #46
RECEIVING THE GIFTS OF GOD
*Invitation to The Lord’s Supper
*Communion Prayer
Pastor: God is with us!
People: Yes, God is with us!
Pastor: Love is in our hearts.
People: With love in our hearts we turn to God.
Pastor: We turn to God to give thanks.
People: We turn to God with thanks and praise.
Pastor: Dear God,
giving thanks to you is always the right thing to do. . . .
So with all those who have gone before us
and all those who surround you in heaven
we praise you saying:
People: Holy Lord, you are powerful.
Holy Lord, you are mighty.
Holy Lord, your glory can be seen all around us
from the heavens above to the earth below.
We shout your praise from the heights of heaven.
Blessed is the one you send to tell your good news.
We shout your praise from the heights of heaven.
Pastor: Dear God, you are holy
and you blessed us with your son, Jesus Christ,
who came to live among us.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
Unless we come like little children
we cannot know what life in your kingdom is like.
In his love, his teaching, his healing, even in his death,
and in his resurrection, Jesus showed us
the life you want all your children to live. . . .
We turn to you, God, with thanks and praise
as we honor Jesus Christ in the way we live our lives
and tell about the mystery of faith:
People: Christ died;
Christ rose from death;
Christ will come to live among us once again.
Pastor: And so, we come to this table as children . . .
Help us to love one another as you love us
and when Jesus comes to live among us once again,
may our love and happiness be complete
as we feast at his heavenly table.
People: Dear God, we ask these things
in the name of your son, Jesus Christ,
and with your Holy Spirit
may your church give you honor and glory
today and every day that is to come. Amen.
Breaking the Bread and Lifting the Cup
Sharing Holy Communion
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
GOING FORTH IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
*HYMN I Am Thine O Lord #601
*BLESSING
*MEDITATION WITH MUSIC: Preparing for Service in the World
If you have requests for prayer, please share them with the pastor or a deacon. You can do so by speaking to them personally, calling or emailing the church office, or putting a prayer request card in the offering plate . If you want your request included on the Prayer List next week to be shared with the congregation, please indicate so – otherwise, it will be kept confidential.
The Deacons meet each Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to pray for our church and other prayer concerns. You are always welcome to join them. Questions? Talk to Neil Wilson.