Sunday September 29, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE— Liebster Jesu, wir sind heir — J.S. Bach
(Dearest Jesus, we are here)
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do.  I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength.  I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things. — Mother Teresa

CALL TO WORSHIP — adapted from Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
       In speaking, in silence, in movement, in stillness, God is with us.
God saves us, God helps us, God sets on the path of peace.
       Let us commit ourselves afresh to serving and worshipping God, our Helper!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #687 — Our God, Our Help in Ages Past — ST. ANNE
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Sovereign God, who are we humans, that you pay any attention to us? And yet, you have entrusted us to care for all of creation. We confess the times we have thought too highly of ourselves, and the ways we have twisted our charge to care for creation into permission to dominate and subdue it. We confess the same human tendencies to dominate and subdue other people. It is easy for us to ignore or take for granted our own privileges and blind spots.  Remind us of who we are, and whose we are. Remind us of our interdependence with creation, and our dependence on you, our Creator. Set our hearts and minds on your will, made known to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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  

MOMENT FOR MISSION                   Chelsea Salifou and Amanda DeVries, Heartland Hope Mission

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOYS AND CONCERNS

MOMENT FOR MISSION — Dumitru Roibu, Executive Director of the YMCA of Moldova
Dimu is one of a dozen 2024 PCUSA International Peacemakers selected from across the globe.
In 2024, Peacemakers are itinerating across the USA from September 13 – October 7.

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

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 Prayer of Saint Francis — René Clausen

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Mark 9: 38-50 — page 821 of the pew Bible

SERMON — “Stumbling Towards Heaven” — Dr. Zieman

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from The Confession of Belhar, South Africa (1986)
We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family. We believe … that this unity of the people of God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways;
in that we love one another;
that we experience, practice and pursue community with one another;
that we are obligated to give ourselves willingly and joyfully to be of benefit and blessing to one another.

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

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven — Donald Busarow

*DOXOLOGY (#607) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD HUNDREDTH
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      
Accept all that is offered in this place this day, O God. Accept our material commitments to build a more peaceable family on this earth and in our own communities. Accept our personal commitments to become a people who break cycles of hatred and retaliation, in both large-scale and everyday ways. Use these gifts, and use us imperfect people, for the rebuilding of a world of hope and healing in your name.  Amen.

*HYMN #372 — O for a World — AZMON

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE — Fanfare and Processional — Jeffery Blersch