In today’s worship we have leadership from Bill, Laura, Marilyn, Merle, Sheri and Steve and all those worshiping today, including: Garnet, Bev, Bob, Betty, Janet, Lisa, Betsy …
Who have I not included in that list of people who is also attending?
MUSIC TO PREPARE FOR WORSHIP… ORGAN PRELUDE
MERLE reads Psalm 145:1-8
145:1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
145:2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever.
145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
145:4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
145:5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
145:6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness.
145:7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
145:8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
BILL – leads us in a Prayer of Adoration
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
And when I think that God His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
SHERI reads Matthew 20:1-16
20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
20:2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
20:3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;
20:4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
20:5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same.
20:6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’
20:7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’
20:8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’
20:9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
20:10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.
20:11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
20:12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’
20:13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
20:14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.
20:15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
20:16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
LAURA – shares a Prayer of Confession
I was sinking deep in sin Far from that peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within Sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me Now safe am I
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
All my heart to Him I give, Ever to him I’ll cling
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs
Faithful loving service too To Him be—longs
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
Souls in danger look above Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will o-bey
He your Savior wants to be – Be saved today.
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
Love lifted me love lifted me
When nothing else could help love lifted me
MARILYN reads –Philippians 1:21-30
1:21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
1:22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer.
1:23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
1:24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
1:25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith,
1:26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
1:27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
1:28 and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing.
1:29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well–
1:30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Spir – it, spir – it of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free
Spir – it, spir – It of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea
You moved on the wa – ters, you called from the deep
Then you coaxed up the mountains, from the valley of sleep
And over the ee – ons, you called to each thing
Awake from your slumbers, and rise on your wings
Spir – it, spir – it of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free
Spir – it, spir – It of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea
You swept thru the des – ert. You stung with the sand,
And you gifted your people, with a law and a land
And when they were blind – ded with their idols and lies
Then you spoke thru your prophets to open their eyes
Spir – it, spir – it of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free
Spir – it, spir – It of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea
You sang in a sta – ble, you cried from a hill
Then you whispered in silence, when the whole world was still
And down in the ci — ty, you called once again
When you blew thru your people on the rush of the wind
Spir – it, spir – it of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free
Spir – it, spir – It of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea
You call from tomor — row, You break ancient schemes,
From the bondage of sorrow, the captives dream dreams,
Our women see vi — sions, our men clear their eyes,
With bold new decisions, Your people arise
Spir – it, spir – it of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free
Spir – it, spir – It of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea
LAURA LEADS: Any reflections we have based on these scripture readings?
STEVE LEADS: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
- Trio of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality);
- Wisdom/Considerations for restarting the school year;
- Janet – back;
- Betty – spine pain;
- Lisa – eye appointment
- worship via Zoom on 9/27 @ 4 in the Theater Room (up to 9 participants) and still on the phone if you prefer that
Prayer – concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus loves me, this I know For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong They are weak, but He is strong
REFRAIN
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so
Jesus loves me, this I know As He loved so long ago
Taking children on His knee, Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
REFRAIN
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so