Prelude - Holy Manna
Introit - Handbell Choir
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Call to Worship
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing.
May we know and trust that the Lord is God. God created us and we belong to him.
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Let us worship God, tender and just.
Opening Hymn No. 367 verses 1 & 4
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Call to Confession
While there are many with power in our world - power to hurt us, power to hire or fire us, power to control us - only God has the power to forgive us and make us new people. Let us confess our fear of the world’s power and let us welcome the power of God's grace, first in silent prayer.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we have trouble believing you are the King in our lives. Early in our nation's history, we rejected monarchy as something undesirable. Yet, this day we are called to recognize Jesus Christ as the King of our lives, our sovereign ruler. His kingdom is based on the laws of love; loving God as God has truly loved us and loving our neighbor as we ourselves want to be loved. That love extends beyond the borders of our lives, into a world in which there is fear and alienation, hunger and disease, hopelessness and darkness. Jesus, our sovereign ruler and friend, has asked us to do what he did: feed the hungry; visit the sick; welcome the stranger; be peacemakers in a world of violence; justice-seekers in a world of brokenness. These words are not unfamiliar to us, yet we have often treated them as optional. Forgive us, Lord, for the meagerness of our faith and the weakness of our witness. Rule our lives again with your powerful love, that we might truly be worthy disciples of yours. Help us to find the forgiveness which you have given to us and to do your will with dedication and joy. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Friends, God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The first and last word with God is grace—grace to heal and make new, grace to propel us forward. This is the good news of the gospel—we are loved, forgiven and set free to transform the world.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Sung Response No. 447
We are forgiven. We are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
Our Common Life
Scripture Luke 23:33 -43
Sermon
“Forgive Us and Remember Us” Rev. Jeff Lehn
Responsive Hymn No. 263 vs. 1 & 4
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer - Laura
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.
Call to Offering
On this day, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us. May we offer ourselves to God with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give through our church website, our smartphone app, by texting the word “Wilmette” to the number 77977, or by sending a check to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Sending Anthem
Thanks Be to Thee G.F. Handel
Charge and Benediction -
Postlude
Thanksgiving Medley arr. Christine Anderson and Daniel Kramlich
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Madeline Weston, liturgist/ Scripture reading
Nick Lin, Hymn Soloist
Chancel Choir, Doxology
Chancel Bells, Introit
Greg Korak, Bell solo
Peggy Massello, organist, Director of Music
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010
Experience God. Grow Disciples. Transform Lives.
