The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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                                                              Todd Moore

*CALL TO WORSHIP  From Psalm 9

I will give thanks to the Holy One with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
The Holy One is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Holy One, have not forsaken those who seek you.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

*HYMN 10 Sing Glory to the Name of God

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Precious Creator, you guide us through lives that challenge just as often as they delight. We admit that we are sometimes overcome by the ambiguity of this world: cruelty and pain can overshadow kindness and wonder, and darkness so often eclipses the light. O resilient and gracious God, in our times of uncertainty and hardship, allow us to lean into faith: faith for ourselves, faith for our siblings, and faith for you. Allow us to strive toward the ways of Christ, embracing faith to advocate for clarity, compassion, and productive action. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: HYMN 437 You Are the Lord

Sung once by cantor; congregation joins second time

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

“I have a lot of faith. But I am also afraid a lot, and have no real certainty about anything. I remembered something [I was told:] that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.”
— Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

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 693, verse 3

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
by this we worship, and are freed.

SCRIPTURE READING  LUKE 18:1-8; 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:5

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 “Keeping the Faith” Meredith Cox

*HYMN 42 Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Is Sure

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your lovingkindness,
         Hear our prayer.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

There are three ways to give:

  1. Through the offering plate.
  2. Through the “Give-lify” app.
  3. By clicking the “donate” button on the homepage of our website, woodlandnash.org.

*DOXOLOGY  [LAAST UNS ERFREUEN]

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

God of all mercies,
we give you humble thanks for all your goodness
and loving-kindness to us and to all people.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your boundless love
in the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

Give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts
we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you all our days
through Jesus Christ to whom,
with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory now and forever.

We give thanks to you, O God, as we pray together saying:

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

*HYMN 619 Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE                                             [POSTLUDE IN G MAJOR]

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

***
The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Rachel Harley
Heidi Hall, Elder Emerita
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Meredith Cox, Preacher
Bill Maul, Music Director
Taylor Davenport, Liturgist
Todd Moore, Special Music  
Jeff Moles, Music Coordinator  
Abby Benson, Offering Taker