Service for the Lord's Day
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday, February 4, 2024 | 11 a.m.
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ORDER OF WORSHIP
Gathering and Centering Ourselves for Worship
Prelude
Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness - arr. Margaretha Christina de Jong
Welcome
Call to Worship
One:
God of our ancestors and God of our dreams, we gather today
to remember that you have created us all in your image and in your likeness.
Many:
And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
One:
We remember how you spoke into the darkness and created light.
Many:
And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
One:
We remember the ways you have delivered your people through trials and tribulations since the beginning of time, right up until this present moment.
Many:
And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
One:
God you have been the guiding light along the paths of hope and love leading toward a beloved community where all are equally seen and radically love.
Many:
And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
One:
We gather today remembering your presence amongst us and the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you and our neighbors.
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Hymn
When Hands Reach Out and Fingers Trace
O WALY WALY
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Prayer of Confession
God of faithfulness, we come to you in our faithlessness. We confess that we approach our lives and our world more in fear than in hope. We allow disappointment to blind us and setbacks to embitter us. We need fresh energy and renewed hope, new beginnings and new ideas. We need your grace to redirect our lives. Give us eyes of faith that we may discern the signs and the wonders in our midst, and give us courage to live in hope. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
One:
Sisters and brothers, your sins are forgiven; be at peace.
Many:
Thanks be to God.
| Sharing the Peace of Christ & Announcements |
Proclaiming the Word
A Reading from the Psalms
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.
Anthem
Lead Softly, Lord - Maxcine W. Posegate
The Southminster Choir
Lead on softly, Lord; Lord, lead on. In the unknown days to come, when I may be far from home, will You lead on softly, Lord, lead on. I must follow through the darkness, Lord, lead on. Light for only a step at a time, Your hand on mine. I must keep my eyes upon You, Lord, lead on; keep my eyes upon You, Lord, lead on. Though my eyes are blind with tears, when I cannot calm fears, I must keep my eyes upon You, Lord, lead on.
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A Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures
I Chronicles 11:22-24
The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Overcoming Lions and Other Obstacles
Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton
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Our Response to the Word
Affirmation of Faith
from The United Church of Canada
(in unison)
We are not alone; we live in God’s world. We believe in God who has created and is creating; who has come in Jesus to reconcile and to make new. We trust in God who call us to be the church; to love and serve others; to seek justice and resist evil; to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Hymn
For the Bread Which You Have Broken
KINGDOM
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Call to Offering & Prayer of Dedication
(in unison)
Holy God, we give you thanks and praise for strength you give to us to live out our lives in your grace. Be with us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to your love and your justice in the lives of our neighbors. Amen.
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Offertory
Allegro assai – Beethoven
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Offertory Response
Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH
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Invitation to the Lord's Table
THE LORD'S SUPPER
As a sign of our unity in Christ, let us hold the cup
until all have been served and partake together.
The Invitation
One:
The Lord be with you.
Many:
And also with you.
One:
Lift up your hearts.
Many:
We lift them up to the Lord.
One:
Let us give our thanks to the Lord our God.
Many:
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord's Prayer
(in unison)
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.
The Breaking of Bread
The Prayer after Communion
(in unison)
Holy God, thank you for your love which unites us, your presence which fills us, and your life which empowers us to be your people. Amen.
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Going Forth into the World to Live the Gospel
The Sending
Hymn
Go to the World!
SINE NOMINE
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Benediction & Response
God Be with You Till We Meet Again
arr. Lloyd Larson
The Bells of Peace
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Postlude
Toccata in F Major – Pachelbel
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The flowers for today’s worship service are given
by the Smith Children—Ken, Greg, Hugh, and Sarah
to the Glory of God in memory of their mother, Sue Smith.
Shelley Moran, liturgist
Kerm Dyer & Lyle Wilke, audio/visual
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SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton, Pastor (Transitional)
Joshua G. Hearn, Director of Music Ministry
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Doxology | Text: Neil Weatherhogg, © 1990 Neil Weatherhogg. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.
Go to the World | Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.
When Hands Reach Out and Fingers Trace | Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette; Tune: harm. John Weaver, © 2001 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette; © 1990 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.
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