Call to Worship

         Welcome!... How observant were you as you traveled here this morning? Did you take note of the fields between the houses? There’s still evidence of farm life, isn’t there? Even out in this suburb we call the "Long Green Valley." On many of those fields, corn or wheat or some other grain was planted earlier this year. It’s now time for these crops to be "gathered in." It has been for several weeks. Isn't it comforting to know that this "harvest" continues, even when it seems like our world has drastically changed?
         Come, friends, let’s worship the Lord, who created all that we see, as well as much that we do not see. Let’s be thankful. We don’t have to wait for an official "Thanksgiving Day" to be grateful, you know. God is good! And we are like those fields we passed on the way here. God is in the process of gathering us in. We are the harvest of the Lord. "Come, ye thankful people, come! Raise the song of harvest home." Please stand, if you are able, and turn to #94 in the hymnal, and let’s sing our gratitude and praise.

Opening Prayer

         Lord of the harvest, who made this world and the seasons which govern it, thank you. The changing colors, the slight chill in the air, the honk of the geese overhead, the scent of crunching leaves underfoot, all these signs and more speak of your steady presence in this world, O God. Your handiwork is awesome to behold, to savor, to enjoy. We praise you!
         Lord of the harvest, as other changes in the wind trouble us, we turn to you. Perhaps we should rather say - you gather us in. It is by your hand that we each have come to this moment in time, to this place. Thank you. May your Holy Spirit blow through this room, like the Autumn wind, quickening our step, clearing the air, bringing forth the right kind of change. Help us to really listen to what you have to say, and to respond with childlike trust to the call of your Son, Jesus Christ, to follow where he leads.
         This we pray in his name. Amen.

Children’s Story

         The premise is simple. The story of Zacchaeus  (Luke 19: 1-10) is a staple of the Sunday School menu. Today, the preacher will play dumb (not hard), and have the children remember the story. It will truly be the "Children's Story" for a change. "Out of the mouths of babes..."  (Psalm 8:2) 

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         The apostle Paul wrote this to his friends in the city of Thessalonika:

         "We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing... To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:3, 11-12)

         ... Giving thanks for growing faith ... praying that this growth will continue and will glorify God ... With those words in mind, let’s return to God a portion of what we have received. May our faith increase. May our actions glorify God. Will the ushers come forward now to receive our offerings. Those of you who are our welcomed guests, please put your visitor’s card in the plate as it is passed. Thank you!

Prayer

You have provided all we have really needed, O Lord. Your faithful is great! Help us to be faithful in putting to use what you have provided - in summer, winter, springtime, or harvest. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.