Call to Worship
(from Psalm 29, adapted)

Leader:   The voice of God is powerful and full of majesty.
People:   The voice of God thunders over the mighty waters.
Leader:   The voice of God shakes the land and topples the towering oaks.
People:   The voice of God flashes forth flames of fire.
Leader:   The voice of God calls to us. Awake! Arise!
                     Give honor to God's holy name. Worship God in holy splendor.
All:          And in God's temple everyone shouts, "Glory!"

David W. Miller, pastor
West Richmond Church of the Brethren
(and former member of Long Green Valley COB)
Church of The Brethren Living Word Bulletin 1202

Opening Prayer

         God of all creation, God of power, God of love, we lift our praise to you singing and shouting "Glory!"  Call to us as we gather to worship your holy name. Startle us with your powerful voice, which shakes us from the slumber of everyday life. Then give us strength and bless us with your peace. Claim us as your own even as you claimed Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

David W. Miller, pastor
West Richmond Church of the Brethren
Church of The Brethren Living Word Bulletin 1202

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

         After God showed the apostle Peter a few things, first in a dream and then in the flesh when he met someone he didn’t expect to be open to the good news of Christ, Peter said this: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him..." (Acts 10:34-35)  Peter then went on to baptize this man and his friends, having witnessed the Holy Spirit at work in them.
         Brothers and sisters, have you seen God at work in persons you might not have expected? Have you sensed the work of God’s Holy Spirit in you lately? May our giving just now flow from what God is doing in and around us.... Will the ushers come forward to serve.

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

         Jesus said, "I am the bread of life."

         When I was a boy growing up in the Bethesda First Baptist Church, communion was celebrated the first Sunday of every month. For many years I just sat there and watched as the bread and cup were passed and my parents and the other folks ate and drank "in remembrance" of Jesus Christ. And then came the day when I personally heard his invitation to "come, follow me," and did so. I stepped forth into the waters of baptism. I went on to share in what I previously only observed others do, receiving and remembering.

        "All who are in love and fellowship in the family of God, who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who humbly put your trust in Christ, and desire his help that you may walk in newness of life, draw near to God and receive this holy communion to your comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Unison Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

Blessed are you, God of heaven and earth.
In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son,
          that all those who believe in him should not perish
          but have eternal life.
We give thanks to you for the salvation
          you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ.
Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts,
          that we may receive our Lord with a living faith
          as he comes to us in his holy supper.

(may be concluded with the Lord's Prayer)

#788 in Hymnal, ©1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
(pp. 70, 90, 111), c/o Augsburg Fortress.