September 3, 2023
Join us for worship on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The sermon is by Dr. Marshall Zieman based on Matthew 16: 21-28. Our music is provided by Annika Shaw, cello; Mark Kanitz, organ.
- To watch the service, click the Service tab below. The livestream will begin just before 10:00 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.
Please make sure your device and the service video are not muted. Please set your volume appropriately.
Bulletin for September 3, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE
Improvisations on BOURBON
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
SILENT MEDITATION
What is both good and new about the good news is the mad insistence that Jesus lives on among us not just as another haunting memory but as the outlandish, holy, and invisible power of God working not just through the sacraments, but in countless hidden ways to make even slobs like us loving and whole beyond anything we could conceivably pull off by ourselves. – Frederick Buechner
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather hoping to see God.
Here in worship, we realize that we see God in one another.
We can see God
when we show one another honor,
when we pursue hospitality to strangers,
when we live in harmony with one another,
when we rejoice in hope.
Let us worship the God who is present in our midst today.
PRAISE AND ADORATION
*OPENING HYMN
#826 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER
(*Please stand, if you are able.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of love, you ask us to love one another from the center of who we are, you tell us to bless one another, you encourage us to do good. But we have not listened to your words. Instead of loving, we have practiced hatred, instead of blessing, we have perfected cursing, instead of doing good, we have sought to get even. Forgive us for giving up. Give us grace to try again, and encouragement to make your ways, our ways. We pray, we wait, and we hope. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
KYRIE ELEISON
“Lord, Have Mercy” Schubert
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
(#581) “Glory Be to the Father” GLORIA PATRI
WELCOME AND GREETING
During the greeting time, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman
TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES
MOMENT FOR MISSION
Amanda DeVries and Kathy Kazor, Heartland Hope Mission
FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 16: 21-28 page 798 of the pew Bible
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
SERMON
“Messiah 2.0” Dr. Zieman
PRAYER
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
“Prelude” from Suite No. 1 in G Major J.S. Bach
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
from the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), 4.066
Q. What are sacraments?
A. Sacraments are visible, holy signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and seal that promise. And this is God’s gospel promise: to grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by grace
because of Christ’s one sacrifice accomplished on the cross.
*SANCTUS
“Holy, Holy, Holy” SANCTUS (Schubert)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SERVING OF THE ELEMENTS
Please come forward as directed by an usher. All baptized Christians are encouraged to partake –
by taking a piece of bread and dipping it into the cup. Gluten-free bread is at the station closer to the pulpit.
If you are unable to come forward, an elder will serve you in the pew.
ANTHEM
“Allemande” from Suite No. 1 in G Major J.S. Bach
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We bless you, O God, for gifts of bread and cup, for sustaining us in hope, every day of our lives.
We pray for your strength to prepare us now for your service as we offer to you lives of witness and worship in the world you have made. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#718 Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said BOURBON
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
“Go Now In Peace” Don Besig
POSTLUDE
“The Emperor’s Fanfare” Antonio Soler; arr. E. Power Biggs