JANUARY 27, 2013 SERVICE

Enter to Worship, Depart to Serve

Our Mission:  "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

WORDS OF WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORGAN PRELUDE

+CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:   Listen, friends! God is speaking!
People: God's voice whispers to us in the stillness.Leader:   It thunders across the skies.
People: It breaks out from the heavens.
Leader:   All creation proclaims the glory of the Lord.
People: God also speaks through the Word.Leader:   That Word took on flesh to make God known to us.
People: The Word is truth and life.
Leader:   The Word proclaims the promises and purposes of God.
People: Listen, friends! God is speaking!

+ HYMN                       “This Is My Father’s World”                     #144

Prayer of Confession, assurance, and pardon

Almighty and merciful God, we know that when we offend another, we offend you. We are aware that we have often allowed the shadow of hate to cloud our souls, hiding the light from our unseeing eyes. We have said unpleasant and hurtful things to our brothers and sisters when they failed to live up to our expectations. Grant that we might find that spark of love that ever burns within us, the love that you have shown to us even when we failed you. Fan the embers of that love until it roars again in flames of love, peace, and reconciliation. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Lead us into new life through your Son Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all. Amen.

All offer prayers of confession in silence.

The Lord God is merciful and gracious, endlessly patient, loving, and true, showing mercy to thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and granting pardon. Amen.

Time with Young Disciples

HYMN                  “Open My Eyes, That I May See”                           #454

PRAYER CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURES

Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.  Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast that blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.  Amen. 

SCRIPTURES Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 & Luke 4:14-21

HYMN                             “Thy Word Is a Lamp”                                  #601

MESSAGE

OFFERING

Let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.  

+DOXOLOGY #95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

+ HYMN                    “What does the lord require”                       #441

+ SENDING FORTH WITH BLESSING

+ POSTLUDE

(+) Those who are able are invited to stand.        

*Communion is available following the service where consecrated elements are distributed in the front of the sanctuary