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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96557892081?pwd=bzJnSHpKZWlHaGFOZGNsZVErcG5qQT09

Meeting ID: 965 5789 2081

Passcode: 872908

 

September 24, 2023

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME

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SILENT REFLECTION:  This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

PRELUDE

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Who is this God whom we have come to worship?

God is the creator of all.

The creator of birds and trees, wind and sea?

God is the creator of all things seen and unseen.

Then let us worship the God of creation,

the God of all things great and small.

*HYMN                                                  “Great is the Lord” (Vs.1, 3)                                                    #2022

CALL TO CONFESSION

God’s Word assures us:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he 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

O God, the earth is full of your creatures; in wisdom you have made us all, and you have delivered us into one another’s care, asking that we love one another as you first loved us. But we have fostered discord rather than unity, contempt rather than respect, ignorance rather than love. Communities, peoples, creatures, lands, seas— they have been set apart, or torn apart, or driven apart, by conflicting claims and thoughtless ambitions. You know our works and our thoughts, Lord. So do this day as you have promised: Gather together all our tribes and tongues, and restore us to harmony. Reconcile us in your spirit of peace, and from new moon to new moon, and from sabbath to sabbath, all flesh shall worship your name. Amen.

SILENT REFLECTION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

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                                                                                   PROCLAIMING GOD'S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord God, by your Spirit’s power, give us eyes to see Jesus and his glory. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

SCRIPTURE                                         Ephesians 4:1-6                                                                                                                                               

SCRIPTURE                                     2 Corinthians 5:6-10                                                                                                                                                

SERMON                                                       “To Live is Christ”                                       Philippians 1:21-20

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                                                                                RESPONDING TO GOD'S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                                    —based on Matthew 16:16; Mark 16:9; John 20:28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Revelation 22:13

This is the good news that we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER                  “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”                                #2193

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and LORD’S PRAYER (Debts & Debtors) 

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

All good things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. When our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. All that we are and all that we have are a trust from you. And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer you ourselves and all that we have, in union with Christ’s offering for us. By your Holy Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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                                                                               GOING IN GOD'S NAME

*HYMN                                  “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” (Vs. 1, 2, 3)                                        #2241

*BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE                   “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” (Vs. 4)                            #2241

POSTLUDE