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GATHERING MUSIC
"Onward Christians Soldiers" Arthur Sullivan
Chris Tolliver & Natalie Francis, Piano duet
GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP
PRELUDE
"Epilogue" Franklin Ritter
Chris Tolliver, Organ
*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN pg. 724 all verses
*THE APOSTLES CREED #881 (traditional)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY
"1ere Gymnopedie" Erik Satie
Natalie Francis, Clarinet
*DOXOLOGY #94
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
SERMON: “Handling Discouragement – The Story of Nehemiah”
Mark Dickinson, Pastor
“Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage, and insulted and mocked us and laughed at us, and so did his friends and the Samaritan army officers. ‘What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing?’ he scoffed. ‘Do they think they can build the wall in a day if they offer enough sacrifices? And look at those charred stones they are pulling out of the rubbish and using again!’ Tobiah, who was standing beside him, remarked, ‘If even a fox walked along the top of their wall, it would collapse!’ Then I prayed, ‘Hear us, O Lord God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their sin. Do not blot it out, for they have despised you in despising us who are building your wall.’ At last, the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city—for the workers worked hard. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going right ahead and that the breaks in the wall were being repaired, they became furious. They plotted to lead an army against Jerusalem to bring about riots and confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. Then some of the leaders began complaining that the workmen were becoming tired; and there was so much rubble to be removed that we could never get it done by ourselves. Meanwhile, our enemies were planning to swoop down upon us and kill us, thus ending our work. And whenever the workers who lived in the nearby cities went home for a visit, our enemies tried to talk them out of returning to Jerusalem. So, I placed armed guards from each family in the cleared spaces behind the walls. Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious; fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!’ Our enemies learned that we knew of their plot, and that God had exposed and frustrated their plan. Now we all returned to our work on the wall.” Nehemiah 4:1-15
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“The people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out…’” Nehemiah 4:10a
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“’…there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’” Nehemiah 4:10b
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“Also, our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.’” Nehemiah 4:11
“Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, ‘Wherever you turn, they will attack us.’” Nehemiah 4:12
“’Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…’” Nehemiah 4:14
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTS
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION
"One Bread, One Body" arr. Mark Hayes
Sanctuary Choir
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN pg. 143
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
"Postlude on 'Faithfulness'" Wm. Runyan/Douglas Wagner, arr.
Chris Tolliver, Organ
*Please stand as you are able.
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