September 17, 2023
Join us for worship on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The sermon is by Dr. Marshall Zieman based on Matthew 18:21-35. Our music is provided by Alleluia Singers; and Mark Kanitz, organ
- 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 September 17, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.
PRELUDE
“Pastorale No. 1” Christopher Uehlein
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
SILENT MEDITATION
“In my struggle to find church, I’ve often felt that if I could just find the right denomination or the right congregation, if I could just become the right person or believe the right things, then my search would be over at last. But right’s got nothing to do with it. Waiting around for right will leave you waiting around forever. The church is God saying: “I’m throwing a banquet, and all these mismatched, messed-up people are invited. Here, have some wine.”
Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
(11:10) “Sing Ye to the Lord” Everett Titcomb
CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 103: 1-4
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
Bless God’s holy name!
God forgives. God heals. Gods transforms with steadfast love.
Bless God’s holy name!
PRAISE AND ADORATION
*OPENING HYMN
#619 Praise My Soul, the God of Heaven LAUDA ANIMA
(*Please stand, if you are able.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Nurturing God, like a hen gathers her brood under her wings, you desire to gather your children. But division and disagreement plague us. We cling to rigid certainties, approach each other in arrogance, and fail to listen. We walk away from conflict, rather than working through it. Forgive us, Holy God. Help us grow in faith, mature in relationships, and be transformed through your steadfast love. 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
HYMN #370
This Is My Father’s World TERRA BEATA
During the hymn, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman
TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Genesis 50: 15-21 page 42 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
“The Choristers’ Prayer” (11:10) Jacob Dishman
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 18: 21-35 page xxx of the pew Bible
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
SERMON
“Try to Do Likewise” Dr. Zieman
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from The Book of Common Worship
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 the Morning Stars Together” (11:10) John Ferguson
* 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, bless these gifts for your good use. May these tokens of our gratitude be of service in blessing the poor, feeding the hungry, and in clothing and sheltering those struggling to survive. Use these gifts to further Christ’s mission and ministry in a hurting world. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#264 At the Name of Jesus KING’S WESTON
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
“Benedictus” (11:10) Craig Curry
POSTLUDE
“Rejoicing” from Music for the Royal Fireworks G.F. Handel