Sunday, October 5, 2008
World Communion Sunday
Preparation for the Word
Prelude Pat Bofird
Introit
Welcome and Announcements Ama Mundi
Call to Worship
One: This day we join with brothers and sisters around the world sharing in the special meal of Jesus.
All: God's love makes us a family!
One: In different places, in different languages, God's people share in worship and sacrament.
All: God's love makes us a family!
One: In different styles and different forms, God's people offer prayers and praise.
All: God's love makes us a family!
One: Come, let's celebrate the love of God in our worship today.
All: God's love makes us a family!
Invocation
One: God, beyond our knowing, source of earth's foundation, voice of the morning stars,
All: Be gentle with us as we stumble in the darkness, wondering where you are.
*Hymn #442 "The Church's One Foundation"
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us pray.
All: If we were to name all the "gods" we place before you, Lord, we would be here a very long time. We elevate politicians into saviors, though they are as broken as we are. We misuse your name so much during the day, we have trouble speaking to you in prayer at night. We are so busy, we do not notice how creation witnesses to your goodness and grace.
Forgive us, God. Help us to let go of what we value most, so we may open our emptiness, our hearts, our lives to the healing and loving presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Prayer of Confession in Song (Sung by All)
Change my heart, Oh God, make it ever true;
Change my heart, Oh God, may I be like you.
You are the potter, I am the clay;
mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Change my heart, Oh God, make it ever true;
Change my heart, Oh God, may I be like you.
Assurance of Forgiveness
One: Persistently, patiently, lovingly, God pours out grace and joy into our lives,
healing our brokenness, forgiving our sin.
All: Loved, we are sent to love;
Forgiven, we are freed to forgive;
Graced, we can offer our gifts to everyone we meet.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Response (sung by all)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find;
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, alleluia.
Passing of the Peace
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Receiving the Word
Prayer for Illumination (sung by all)
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
New Testament Readings Philippians 3:4b‑14 Page 198
Matthew 21:33‑46 Page 24
Anthem "Come, Share the Lord"
Children's Chat Elder, Denis Gibbs
Sermon A Subversive Parable Pastor Bruce Calkins
Responding to the Word
*Hymn #517 "We Come As Guests Invited"
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Prelude to Prayer (Sung by all) (#2193 in Sing the Faith)
Lord, listen to your children praying.
Lord, send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying.
Send us love, send us power, send us grace.
Prayers of the People
Our Gifts of Thanksgiving
Offertory Solo Lin Liu
*"Give Thanks" (#2036 in Sing the Faith)
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ, his Son.
And now, let the weak say, "I am strong."
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.
Prayer of Dedication
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Celebrated With Our Church Family Around the World
Invitation
Communion Prayer
One: ... Unite us now as we gather at the table that reaches around the world and, with those from all cultures, offer the prayer that you have taught us, saying,
All: Our Father...
The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup
Please come forward in two lines and return by the outside aisles.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn #521 "You Satisfy the Hungry Heart"
Sending Forth (Philippians 3, Matthew 21)
One: Family of Calvary, press on toward the goal.
All: We go forth, renewed and refreshed to follow where Christ may lead.
One: Family of Calvary, press on straining forward with hope and courage.
All: We go forth, carrying the promise of God into the world.
One: Family of Calvary, press on to the promise.
All: We go forth, living as people who wish to bring God's heaven here on earth.
One: Family of Calvary, press on. You are the builders of God's world!
*Choral Response
Postlude
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