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 Lord of All Hopefulness
*CALL TO WORSHIP From Psalm 98
O sing to the HOLY ONE a new song!
for God has done marvelous things.
Make a joyful noise to the HOLY ONE, all earth.
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
God will see the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
*HYMN 401 Gather Us In
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Our God is a welcoming God of refuge, and all are invited to let loose their burdens in this morning’s confession.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Interruptions, we welcome you into our lives, asking that you call our attention to what’s new and urgent alongside what’s old and still worthy of our consideration.
In the vast diversity of your Creation, we understand that advocacy is a complicated thing. Keep us responsive to the needs of our siblings, all people; and where we have developed for-granted truths, interrupt us—Let us know that we took them.
Guide us, O God, as we shuffle, bend, and learn,
always striving to more faithfully follow the way of Christ,
your Beloved, Anointed One. Amen.
(Silent confession.)
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE:
HYMN 437 You Are the Lord
(Sung once by cantor;
congregation joins second time.)
*ASSURANCE OF GRACE
From the Peace Prayer of St. Francis:
“…O Divine [One], grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
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 The Gift of Love, 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 1 PETER 5:1-5; EXODUS 18:13-25
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
“I’m Just a Ruling Elder” – Robin Thomas
*HYMN Young Joseph the Dreamer (handout)
PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION
O God, in your lovingkindness,
Hear our prayer.
OFFERING The Sacrament
There are three ways to give:
- Through the offering plate.
- Through the “Give-lify” app.
- By clicking the “donate” button on 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 life, we praise you for your abiding presence
from generation to generation,
blessing your people,
strengthening us to lives of service,
empowering us to witness.
We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray, saying:
The LORD’S PRAYER, as most of us here say it, can be found on the back cover of your hymnal.
*HYMN 343 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
*DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE Festal Finale
*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
Melinda Sanders, Moderator
We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:
Robin Thomas, Preacher
Bill Maul, Music Director
Rhea Borzak, Liturgist