Bulletin for September 24, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE
“Adagio” from Sonata No. 1 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
After centuries of handling and mishandling, most religious words have become so shopworn nobody’s much interested any more. Not so with grace, for some reason. Mysteriously, even derivatives like gracious and graceful still have some of the bloom left. Grace is something you can never get but only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth.
Frederick Buechner, originally published in Wishful Thinking

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP (11:10)
“Sing Ye to the Lord” Everett Titcomb

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 107:1-3, 43)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
and consider the steadfast love of the Lord. Let us worship God!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*OPENING HYMN
#664 Morning Has Broken BUNESSAN
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, forgive us when we grumble and complain against your goodness as the Israelites did in the desert, as the elder brother did to his father, as the workers in the field did to the landowner. We judge and weigh your gifts according to our standards. We often question your fairness instead of receiving your grace with thanksgiving and joy. Help us to see your world through your eyes and with your spirit of generosity and grace, that we may welcome the chance to serve in your kingdom and all who join with us. Forgive us, Lord, in your grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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

MOMENT FOR MISSION
Karen Morey, elder on the Mission Committee

*HYMN
#744 Arise, Your Light Is Come! FESTAL SONG
During the hymn, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

OLD TESTAMENT READING
Exodus 16: 2-15 page 55 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
“In This Very Room” (9:00) Ron and Carol Harris
“For the fruits of this creation” (11:10) Austin C. Lovelace

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 20: 1-16 page 801 of the pew Bible
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

SERMON
“Grumbling in the Face of Grace” Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from A Brief Statement of Faith (1991)
In life and death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

In a broken and fearful world, the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus!

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY
”For the Beauty of the Earth” (9:00) John Rutter
“Come, Labor On” (11:10) Jeremy J. Bankson

* 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
Gracious God, we know that every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from you. We thank you for your many blessings, especially your perfect gift of your Son Jesus Christ, your indescribable gift! Help us to receive your gifts and grace with thanksgiving and humility and to use them faithfully in and for your kingdom. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
“Benedictus” (11:10) Craig Curry

POSTLUDE
“Gloria” from A Liturgical Organ Suite Craig Philips

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