Sunday, September 2, 2018 Worship

20180902 bulletin

A Thought for Reflection

“If the scandal of Jesus was that He was always touching the wrong people and inviting the wrong people to the table—how on earth can we think the Communion meal now is for the extra holy or the super spiritual?

—Jonathan Martin

GOD GATHERS US

Prelude

Greetings and Announcements

Passing of the Peace

Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
(We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.)

*Hymn of Praise

Call to Worship

Leader: God says, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”
People: “Come, you who have no money. Come, buy, and eat!”
Leader: We have come to feast on the living bread, that we might minister
to the world’s hungers.
People: We have come to drink from the waters of life, that we might minister to the world’s thirst.
All: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Let us worship God, the source of every blessing. Amen.

Prayer of Invocation and Lord’s Prayer

(You can find several printed versions of the Lord’s Prayer on the prayer card in your pew rack.)

*Sentences of Praise

Leader: Rejoice in our God always!
People: Again I say rejoice!

*Gloria (Sing twice.) NCH 756

Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!

Prayer of Confession (in unison)

God of creation, we celebrate your presence in the wonders of the world and give you thanks for our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. Forgive us for times we have turned away from you and our neighbors. We confess that we have not always appreciated our resources or used them to make this world a place of peace and love. Touch our hearts with your love so that we may sing your praises every day of our lives. Amen

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness

Response From NCH 286

Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD

The Scripture Lessons

Communion Meditation

Call to Prayer NCH 774

Shepherd, lead, lead me in your righteousness,
Make your way plain before my face.
For it is you, God, you God only,
Who makes me to lie down in safety.

Celebrations and Concerns

Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Petition

GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTS

Our Offering to God

Offertory

* Doxology (Lasst uns erfreuen) NCH 17

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

* Prayer of Dedication

GOD CALLS US TO THE TABLE

The Lord’s Supper

Hymn of Communion

The Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Consecration

The Giving of the Bread and the Cup at the Table

The Thanksgiving (in unison)

We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn of Dedication

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude

(Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another at coffee hour.)

Coming Up at Edwards Church

The Week Ahead