Prelude Miriam Enman
Call to Worship: From Isaiah 40
Leader: Have we not known? Have we not heart?
People: Has it not been told to use since the beginning?
L: Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
P: they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
L: They shall run and not be weary;
P: They shall walk and not faint.
Hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree, and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother sister, parent child,
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Gracious God, you call us to follow Christ and spread the good news of your love for all people. Help us to become all things to all people that we might reach many with your good news; in Jesus’ name we pray: 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.
Offering
Special Music
Prayer for Offering
We sing to you, God, with thanksgiving making melody to you with our praise. Use these gifts to spread your gospel near and far, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN
Prayer of the Day
Hymn: I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain: I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own Holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14 (MSG)
11-12 It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
13-14 It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Ephesians 1: 11-14 (NIV)
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Questions to Ponder:
- Who are you and what are you living for?
- The scripture says: long before you knew Christ, he already knew you and had a purpose for you. What sort of feelings does this bring up for you?
- When we put our faith in Christ, you are “marked with the Holy Spirit” as a member of God’s family. How does this influence your everyday (Sunday through Saturday) living?
Hymn: Just As I Am, without One Plea
Just as I am, without one plea that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, bling, sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in thee I find, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Blessing
Postlude