Sunday July 7, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Minuetto — G.F. Handel 
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”
– Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (who also penned the Serenity Prayer)

CALL TO WORSHIP – Jeremiah 9:23-24                  
“Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom,
       do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; 
but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord;
       I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”                                                                                                          

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #331 — God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand — NATIONAL HYMN
(*Please stand if you are able)                                      

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                                                           

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we live in the tension of what we are called to be and our lived reality. We often fall short of the good we intend, and our growing into the likeness of Christ is painfully slow at best. Forgive us, we pray.  Offer us the peace that passes all understanding, that we might be forgiven and the conviction that we might begin anew.  Hear us now, as we open our hearts before you…

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#551) — “Lord, Have Mercy” — LAND OF REST
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                   

*GLORIA PATRI (#240) — Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks! — ALLELUIA NO. 1

WELCOME              
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

*HYMN #329 — God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength — WINCHESTER OLD

A LESSON FROM THE PSALMS — Psalm 48 page 450 of the pew Bible

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 — Jesus Is All the World to Me Lloyd Larson

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

THE GOSPEL LESSON — Mark 6: 1-13 — page 817 of the pew Bible  

SERMON — “It’s Better To Be There”                    

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*A LITANY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
As we remember the birth of our nation, and the gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, let us offer our thanks and prayers to God, the giver of all good gifts.
For the women and men who braved the long journey by sea to come to this new world,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the tribes and nations who inhabited this land for generation upon generation,|
       We thank you, Lord.
For patriots who dreamed of, and fought for, a free nation,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the men and women who laid the foundation of our democracy, who pledged liberty and justice for all,
       We thank you, Lord.
For those who built this country brick by brick, road by road, and town by town,
       We thank you, Lord.
For soldiers who have fought for our country, for all who paid for our freedom by their service, and those who paid by their sacrifice,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the innovators and artists, poets and teachers, farmers and factory workers; for all who labor and provide for the common good,
       We thank you, Lord.
For this land, with its peaks and valleys, coasts and deserts, fields and meadows,
       We thank you, Lord.
For our own community, for those who came before us in this place, and for our neighbors near and far,
       We thank you, Lord.
Lord, we pray for The United States, that our country would continue to defend and promote liberty and freedom, truth and justice.
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we might always be a nation where all are free to worship and pray,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we might be a beacon of freedom to all those who live under the shadow of terror and hopelessness,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That those who are elected to govern and lead would be guided by you, and be ever aware of the trust that has been given them,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we would be a people who repent from our sins, and who always return to you and to your grace,
       We pray to you, Lord: 
       Gracious God, Father of all nations, bless and defend us and our land; prosper the work of our hands, and increase in us your grace and compassion, and our offerings of thanks to you, our rock and our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

*SANCTUS (#572) — “Holy, Holy, Holy” — SANCTUS (Pavlechko)      

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — “Foundation” from Suite on American Hymn Tunes — Sacred Harp; — arr. Robert J. Powell

*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, we offer these gifts to you. May they be used to bring grace and healing to this hurting world.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #649 — Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound AMAZING GRACE                            

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE — Go Now in Peace — Don Besig

POSTLUDE — Eternal Father, Strong to Save — John Dykes