Welcome!
What a blessing to be in worship! Let us greet one another by spotlighting and naming each of us worshiping God…
MUSIC TO PREPARE FOR WORSHIP…
BACH on piano https://youtu.be/QrgcrYnZ_4c?t=1308
MARILYN reads Psalm 96:1-9
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
UNISON Prayer of Adoration
We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer these prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
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 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you,
because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit,
so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.
For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead–Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
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
WE EXPERIENCE THE GOSPELS: Matthew 22:15-22
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
STEVE: Are there reflections anyone wants to share based on scripture, song and prayer?
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