Worship - September 2, 2012

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
September 2, 2012
Worship 10:00 am

“…be doers of the word, and not merely hearers
who deceive themselves.” (James 1:22)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Sing to the Lord of harvest" 98
Announcements
Prelude "Moderato" Dubois

Call to Worship Psalm 15 (Laughing Bird Version)

Hymn (v.1 & 2) "Open my eyes, that I may see" 517

*Unison Prayer of Confession 703

*Hymn "Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee" 71

Scripture Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

For Children "All for Me and None for All" by Helen Lester

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

Hymn "Have thine own way" 504

Pastoral Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory "Chorale: Rejoice Thyself, O My Soul" German Psalter
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Doxology (119a) and Prayer

Scripture James 1:17-27

Message "Moving beyond Reality TV" (mp3)
(or “Itching like heaven”)

*Hymn "You are salt for the earth" 226

*Benediction

*Postlude "Larghetto" Rinck

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
Psalm 15
(Laughing Bird Version)

One: LORD, who is welcome at your table?
Who can stay in the place you call your own?

All: You have given us the answer, LORD.

Left: It is those who walk with integrity
and do the right thing;

Right: those who speak the honest truth
and do not use their words to wound;

Left: those who do not exploit their friends
or put down their neighbors.

Right: It is those who hate corruption
and look up to those who honor you, LORD;

Left: those who give their word
and stand by it even if it costs them;

Right: those who lend freely, without seeking a profit,
and cannot be bribed into shafting the innocent.

All: You honor such people, LORD,
and anchor them on unshakable ground.

Unison Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, hear our confession.
Our faith is uncertain,
      our forgiveness slow,
      our conviction weak,
      our compassion wavering.
We have exalted the proud and powerful,
      put down the weak,
      saturated the rich with good things,
      neglected the poor,
      sent the hungry away empty-handed.
We have helped ourselves.

Show us your mercy,
Help us show mercy,
through your Son, our Savior. AMEN

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded" (Luke l2:48b).

As with the nation of Israel to whom much was given, so it is with us. We not only have the law, but through Christ we also have grace and liberty in the Spirit. And to maintain our connection with Almighty God, we must do as the psalmist in Psalm 119: 1516: "I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word."

God's word is the foundation, the solid rock that enables us to discern if truth is speaking to us and through us. The Lord's word was spoken to Israel through Moses, who instructed them to observe God's statutes and ordinances as a witness to the nations, and to teach them to their children and to their children's children.

Ponder this as you return your offering… Ushers?

written by Carol Yeazell
Asheville, North Carolina
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Dedication

O God, to discern your will, keep me from getting caught in the harried frenzy of the day's events by providing moments in your presence, moments where I can "fix my eyes on your ways" and "meditate on your precepts." Grant to me the ability to hear your voice and heed your instruction, for your Word is life to the dry places in my soul, and meat that sustains and strengthens. Amen.

written by Carol Yeazell
Asheville, North Carolina
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Benediction

Go, be doers of the Word.
       be propelled by the wind of God,
       be a voyager with the Lord,
              not a voyeur,
       be quick to listen and learn,
       be willing to connect with God and others,
                        to invest yourself in what matters,
                     and care about who and what God loves.

As you go, don’t be surprised
       if doing all that itches like heaven.
              Thank God!