August 20, 2023
Join us for worship on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The sermon is by Dr. Zieman, based on Matthew 15: 21-28. Our music is provided Women’s Ensemble, Kristi Treu, piano; Mark Kanitz, organ.
- To watch the service, click the Service tab below. The livestream will begin just before 10:00 a.m. A recording of the livestream will be available afterward, and you can watch it anytime.
- To read the Bulletin, click the Bulletin tab below. You may flip back and forth between the Service and Bulletin tabs at anytime without interruption. Below the video screen, you can use the button to access a PDF of the Bulletin, if you prefer.
Please make sure your device and the service video are not muted. Please set your volume appropriately.
Bulletin for August 20, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE
“Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness” Charles Ore
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
SILENT MEDITATION
“I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest heights. It is when things go wrong, when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly.” Madeline L’Engle
CALL TO WORSHIP
Turn us, O God,
away from the world’s temptations and distractions.
Return us, O God,
to the quiet calm of your presence.
Restore us, O God,
to the path you call us to follow.
Orient us, O God,
to the hope of all that is possible through you.
PRAISE AND ADORATION
*OPENING HYMN
#805 Come, Sing to God ELLACOMBE
(*Please stand, if you are able.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God our refuge, you hear our cries for mercy. You lift the lowly and offer hope to the hopeless. But we, who benefit from your grace, do not emulate you and your ways. We are quick to condemn, exaggerate critique and act mercilessly. We confess the ways we demean and dehumanize others. We pray for your forgiveness. Hear us now, as we confess our sins in the silence of our hearts…
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
KYRIE ELEISON
“Lord, Have Mercy” Schubert
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
(#581) “Glory Be to the Father” GLORIA PATRI
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINUTE FOR EDUCATION
Dr. Carl Greiner
HYMN
#435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE
During the hymn, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman
TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Isaiah 56: 1,6-8 page 599 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
ANTHEM
“My Jesus, I Love Thee” Jan Reese
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 15: 21-28 page 797 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
SERMON
“Lord, Have Mercy” Dr. Zieman
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
from A Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith,
sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor,
and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles
rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture,
engages us through the Word proclaimed,
claims us in the waters of baptism,
feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation,
and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world, the Spirit gives us courage
to pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
*SANCTUS
“Holy, Holy, Holy” SANCTUS (Schubert)
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
“Cantate Domino” Natalie Sleeth
(Sing to the Lord)
* DOXOLOGY
(#609) “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known; Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, the gifts we offer reflect only a portion of all that you have given us. Take these offerings and multiply them for your use. May our offerings be a blessing to those most in need, to those most vulnerable. May our offerings, given in a spirit of generosity, abate the desire to hoard, and spread the desire to share. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#299 You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim HANOVER
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE
“A Clare Benediction” John Rutter
POSTLUDE
“Prelude and Fugue in F Major” J.S. Bach