ORDER OF WORSHIP

Gathering and Centering Ourselves for Worship

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

The Bells Must Ring - John A. Behnke

The Bells of Peace

Call to Worship

based on Psalm 98 & John 15:9-17

written by Bruce Brewer

One:

Here today there is love, freely available to all. Not our human loving,

fragile and intermittent, but God’s supreme love.

Many:

May a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth,

break forth into joyous songs of praise.

One:

Here today is love, higher than our loftiest hopes,

deeper than the immensities of time and space, God’s inclusive love.

Many:

Let the seas roar their praise, and everything in them.

Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills sing together

their happiness. Let us worship God!

Hymn of Praise

Jesus Loves Me! 

JESUS LOVES ME

The Prayer of Confession

in unison

Loving and merciful One, we thank you for the community in which you have placed us, for the brothers and sisters with whom we walk this pilgrim journey. Yet, we confess that we fail to love as you love. We push aside those whom we believe are the least in your Kingdom. We fail to see your Kingdom in parables because we fail to see your Kingdom in each other. Form in us a new vision of community in which there is neither East nor West, neither South nor North. We pray for the sake of your Kingdom that both is and is not yet. Amen.

The Assurance of Forgiveness

One:

Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.

Many:

In Christ we are all forgiven.

Assurance Response

Glory to God

GLORY TO GOD (VASILE)

Affirmation of Community | Passing of the Peace

Proclaiming the Word

A Reading from the Epistles

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.

Musical Offering

Gratitude - Alex Guebert

The Bells of Peace

A Time for All God's Children

A Reading from the Gospels

John 15:9-17

The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.

Sermon

The Gospel According to Harry Potter: The Power of Love

Rev. Karen A. Wright

Hymn

Though I May Speak

GIFT OF LOVE

Our Response to the Word

The Invitation to Discipleship and Life in the Church

The Church at Prayer

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

The Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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 Presentation & Dedication of Our Gifts

Offertory

Fugue in C Major - G. F. Händel



Offertory Response

Praise to God the Father

DA N'ASE

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

On my own what I have to give doesn't amount to much in the light of all you have given to me and in the face of so much need. In total, as a congregation, what we offer to you in love becomes more, not simply added together, but somehow multiplied in its usefulness. We ask you to bless our gifts, and with the addition of your blessing, there is enough for all. Amen.

Going Forth into the World to Live the Gospel

Sending Hymn

Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

ST. CATHERINE

Benediction & Response

Alleluia!

CELTIC ALLELUIA

Postlude

Triumphant March - Théodore Dubois

The flowers for today’s worship service are given by Barbara Schuster

to the Glory of God in loving memory of her parents and husband.

Ruth Ann Unruh, liturgist

Kerm Dyer & Lyle Wilke, audio/visual

The Bells of Peace

Bob Baker, Jacob Burgoon, Cherryl Cox, Ginny Cuppage,

Kärin Forsburg, Stephanie Henry, Amy Knudsen, Linda Milligan,

Hugh Smith, Annehara Tatschl, Katie Thompson, Jenny Troutman, and Marilyn Lake, director

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Karen Wright, Associate Pastor

Joshua G. Hearn, Director of Music Ministry

Denise Dillon-Gruber, Office Manager

Alleluia! | Tune: O'Carroll/Walker, © 1985 O'Carroll/Walker (Published by OPC). Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me | Text & Tune: Paul M. Vasile, © 2008 Paul M. Vasile. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

Though I May Speak | Text & Tune (arr.) Hal H. Hopson, © 1972 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.