Sunday September 22, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

PRELUDE — Praeludium and Arioso from “Sonata in Baroque Style” — Gordon Young
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“We must not portray you in king’s robes, you drifting mist that brought forth the morning.  Once again from the old paintboxes we take the same gold scepter and crown that has disguised you through the ages. Piously we produce our images of you till they stand around you like a thousand walls. And when our hearts would simply open, our fervent hands hide you.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us gather and behold the Glory of God:
       The God who gave shape to the formless void.
Let us gather and celebrate the Holy Ghost:
       The Wind that swept across the face of the waters.
Let us gather and speak the Living Word:
       The Word that spoke across the darkness and said, “Let there be light.”
        Let us worship God!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #1 — Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! — NICEA
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, we confess that we do not always welcome the “least of these” in our midst. You have told us that greatness is defined by its service to others. Yet in thought and deed we close ourselves off to this Truth. We close ourselves off from You and those who need help. Even when our intentions are pure, we erringly seek a false greatness. Forgive us. Help us to open ourselves up to you and to others.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON #575 — Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us — KYRIE ELEISON (Pardini)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (#447) — We Are Forgiven WE ARE FORGIVEN

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

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EPISTLE READING — James 3:13-18; 4:7-8 — page 982 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 — Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake — Richard Farrant

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON  — Mark 9:30-37 — page 820 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “Rightly Ordered” — Joshua Garry, Associate Pastor

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — The Scots Confession
As we believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, so we firmly believe that from the beginning there has been, now is, and to the end of the world shall be, one Kirk, that is to say, one company and multitude of people chosen by God. The Kirk is catholic, that is, universal, because it contains the chosen of all ages, of all realms, nations, and tongues, who have communion and society with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

*GLORIA PATRI #581 — Glory Be to the Father — GLORIA PATRI

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — In Thee Is Gladness — Paul Manz

*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
Almighty God, your Holy Word tells us that from dust we came, and to dust we shall return. So it is with our blessings. For just as we have received our blessings by your grace, so we give gracefully back to you in order to bless others. We pray that your will be done with what we give. Amen.

*HYMN #451 — Open My Eyes, That I May See   OPEN MY EYES

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE — Go Forth into the World in Peace — John Rutter

*POSTLUDE — “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” — Paul Manz