We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.
In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body, a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14
Hear, O God, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek God’s face!”
Your face, O God, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of God
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Holy One;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Holy One!
*HYMN 450 Be Thou My Vision SLANE
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Come, all who have inflicted or accepted oppression—
we share in the world’s sin.
Come, all who make distinctions among people—
we participate in the brokenness of God’s family.
Come, all who respond to the false voices of the world—
God is calling us away from our former limitations.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+
Hope Beyond All Human Hope,
you promised descendants as numerous as the stars
to Abraham and Sarah.
You promise light and salvation
in the midst of darkness and despair,
and promise redemption to a world that does not listen.
Gather us to yourself in tenderness,
open our ears that we may listen to your word,
and teach us to live faithfully
as people confident of the fulfillment of your promises.
We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus,
your Beloved One. Amen.
Silent confession.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Kyrie Eleison
A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.
*ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God’s grace is as vast as the stars in the sky.
The next time you go outside at night, look upward –
the beautiful, mysteriousness of God’s loving-kindness
is around you, and it is meant to be explored.
Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn 435, verse 1
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.
SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.
SERMON
On Counting Stars Jenny Cook
*HYMN 50 Deep in the Shadows of the Past SHEPHERDS’ PIPES
PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION
O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY Hymn 223, verse 4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)
The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus. A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.
*HYMN 543 O Christ, Surround Me GREEN TYLER
*DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts*
The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator
We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:
Jenny Cook, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Eliza Blades,Liturgist
Todd Moore and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers
Scott Sauers, Special Music
Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.