Sunday October 29, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

REFORMATION SUNDAY

Presbyterians celebrate the tradition that grounds our faith on Reformation Sunday.  It is always the last Sunday in October, marking the occasion in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE  — “Modal Fanfare” — Kevin McChesney
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all.  But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.                                                                                                          Martin Luther

CALL TO WORSHIP – based on Psalm 1
Happy are those who do not take the path that sinners tread.
Our delight is in the law of the Lord.
May we be like trees planted by streams of God’s living water.
May our lives bear good fruit, loving God and loving neighbor.  Let us worship God!                                                                                                                        

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN OF PRAISE #275 — A Mighty Fortress Is Our God — EIN’ FESTE BURG
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, your law commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Too often we prioritize our own interests above the health and welfare of others. We betray you and our best selves by living without regard for the ways our actions harm our neighbors in need and the planet entrusted to our care. Open our hearts to love. Open our minds to honestly acknowledge our role in wrongdoing. Forgive us, and return us to your way of righteousness.

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

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

MOMENT FOR MISSION  — Luciano Kovacs, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Area Coordinator for the Middle East and Europe

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
O God, we pray for your church.
And for all the many Christian denominations and traditions.
As you guided the reformers in times past,
Guide us, O Lord, in the ways you want for us to travel.
As Martin Luther reminded us,
Help us to acknowledge your saving grace.
As John Calvin reminded us,
Help us to look to your word for guidance.
As John Knox reminded us,
Help us to use our church organization to give glory to God.
Help us to claim all the good that came of the Reformation,
And to honestly confess all that was sinful and all that caused sorrow.
Help us, O God, to be faithful to your call,
To create a church that gives glory to you and to your son, Jesus Christ…

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 –“Be Still My Soul” — arr. Sandra Eithun
Dedicated to the memory of Jody Watt

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE READING — Matthew 22: 34-46 — page 804 of the pew Bible

This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “The Greatest Commandments” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Romans 8: 1, 28, 38, 39

We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.  We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

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

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — “When in Our Music God Is Glorified” — arr. Arnold B. Sherman

* DOXOLOGY (#607) — “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” — OLD HUNDREDTH — Arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Christ, all people here below.
Praise Holy Spirit evermore. Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Holy God, these offerings are only a portion of all that you have given us. We gratefully entrust these gifts to your care and Christ’s ministry.  May these gifts reflect our love for our neighbors in need; blessing others as we have been blessed.  Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #697 — Take My Life — HENDON

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE — “A Mighty Fortress” — Charles Ore