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 2 Corninthians 17-18
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation
Everything old has passed away;
see, everything has become new!
All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
*HYMN 215 What Wondrous Love Is This WONDROUS LOVE
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Let us join in this morning’s prayer of confession knowing
that we are invited into the ministry of reconciliation, trusting
that in all things, we are made new and deserving of renewal.
Let us pray.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION^
God of the lost, the least, and all who long for home,
when we wander from your ways
and waste the gifts you have given us,
welcome us back, we pray,
so that we may celebrate and rejoice
in your presence forever;
through 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+
Return to the Holy One your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
And 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 Psalm 32
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
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
It’s Time to Get Up and Go Meredith Cox
*HYMN 771 What Is the World Like NEW WORLD
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 22 God of the Sparrow ROEDER
*DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
*Please rise in body or in spirit.
^From the PCUSA Revised Common Lectionary
+From the Book of Common Worship
***
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:
Meredith Cox, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Cliff Mundy, Liturgist
Carrie Fraser and Ashlan Jackson,Offering Takers
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.
The East Nashville Training Hub:
In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry. We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!