October 1, 2023
Join us for worship on Sunday, October 1, 2023. The sermon is by Dr. Marshall Zieman based on Matthew 21: 23-32. Our music is provided by Alleluia Singers, Folk Ensemble, and Mark Kanitz, organ
The first Sunday in October is designated as World Communion Sunday, which celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. World Communion Sunday is a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical church. The first celebration occurred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1933 and was adopted as a denominational practice in 1936. Today, World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world.
- To watch the service, click the Service tab below. The livestream will begin around 11:05 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.
*** New Time for Livestream – Tune in at 11:10 a.m. to watch us live! ***
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Bulletin for October 1, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE
“I Have Found My Peace” (11:10)
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
SILENT MEDITATION
“We will never change the world by just going to church. We will only change it by being the church.” -The Celtic Christian Tradition
CALL TO WORSHIP
Around the world people gather to break bread together.
We gather with them in heart and mind.
Around the world the broken body is made whole.
As part of that body, we join in its unity.
We, who share in the banquet come eagerly to be fed.
Let us worship together, let us share God’s bounty.
PRAISE AND ADORATION
*OPENING HYMN
#409 God Is Here! ABBOT’S LEIGH
(*Please stand, if you are able.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we are indebted to you and your generosity, but we fail to live as good stewards of all you have given us. We confiscate and consume far more than our fair share. We neglect the poor and trap people in poverty, claiming that debt forgiveness is unfair. God, liberate us from our spiritual and moral bondage. Reorder our priorities so all your nations and peoples may thrive. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
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
(#447) “We Are Forgiven” WE ARE FORGIVEN
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
A MOMENT FOR STEWARDSHIP
Rock Sumner, PCOC Business Administrator
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (11:10)
Stella Mae Karges, child of Matt and Sunny Karges, born on May 13, 2023
Congregational Affirmation:
With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome Stella Mae Karges into Christ’s Church
to share with us in the one ministry of Christ, for we are all one in Him.
BAPTISMAL HYMN
#483 Dearest Jesus, We Are Here LIEBSTER JESU
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
“O Taste and See” (11:10) Ralph Vaughan Williams
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 21: 23-32 page 802 of the pew Bible
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
SERMON
“Changing Your Mind and Changing Your Course” Dr. Zieman
PRAYER
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
“Anthem of Unity” (11:10) John Ness Beck
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The elders will serve you in the pews. All baptized Christians are invited to partake.
We ask that you hold on to the piece of bread or the cup until all have been served, so that we may partake as one body.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
From north and south, from east and west, we come:
God’s people, called to the Table where simple grace nourishes us.
From down the street, and across our city, to around the world, today we are invited to a joyful feast, hosted by the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s people are called to community, where we live and serve one another.
From every class, every race, every status; from little ones, to youth and parents, to elders with overflowing hearts:
God’s people are called to witness to God’s hope, to offer peace to a shattered world.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
from The Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A’s 54-55
I believe that the Son of God, through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.
The communion of saints – believers one and all—as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts. Each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.
*SANCTUS
(#572) “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Pavlechko)
SERVING OF THE BREAD
Dr. Zieman will walk down the center aisle with gluten–free bread
ANTHEM
“For the Bread Which You Have Broken” (11:10) Howard Helvey
SERVING OF THE CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (in unison)
Loving God, you have given us a share in the one bread and the one cup and made us one with Christ. Help us be one with each other as we bring your salvation and joy to all the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#821 My Life Flows On HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Fanfare in A flat Major” Charles Ore