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Worship Order for
Sunday
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Opening
Prayer
Behold, you stand at the door and knock, O Lord. That's what you
reveal to us in the last book in the Bible. A fresh beginning,
rather than an ending, for those who would open the door and invite
you in - that is your promise. A meal together, to enjoy - the
aroma, the taste, the texture of the food - talking around the table
as friends, loved ones, even; what's not to like?
And yet, we too
often pause before this crack in the door, hearing your voice. Is it
fear that keeps us from flinging it wide? Are we afraid you will
look at the mess of our inner life and decide to feast elsewhere?
What is it that prevents us from inviting you in more than a step or
two? Do we think you'll take over the place and eventually kick us
out?
(pause and let out a long breath, as if letting
go)
Lord, we release
this inner resistance, willingly stepping back and opening our door.
During these special moments of worship, we welcome you in. Come,
Jesus, share with us. Come, Spirit, blow through this space like a
crisp Fall wind. Come, Creator, and remind us of who you and we
really are.
As we worship, open
the door to heaven that we might see what really happens when your
people worship. May we have ears to hear all of your creation cry
"alleluia," and eyes to behold your kingdom coming where
we are tempted to observe only darkness. This we pray, in the name
of the One who stands at the door and knocks. AMEN
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Responsive
Reading
Leader: Come, let us worship
People: For we are the people of God's pasture.
Leader: Come, let us worship and bow down,
People: For we are the sheep of God's hand.
Leader: Come, let us worship and bow down,
before the Lord, our Maker.
All: For the Lord is our God,
and God desires our worship!
by Earle W. Fike, Jr., from We
Gather Together,
©1979 Brethren Press.
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Celebrating
and Renewing Baptismal Vows
The letters we
find in the New Testament were written long ago to real people. In
the last book of the Bible, for instance, we find seven letters to
seven churches from the hand of their overseer (or Bishop), St.
John. We don’t have names and faces to go with the words, but
real people received them - just as flesh and blood folks continue
to receive the good news found in the good Word and respond to it.
This morning, we want to celebrate this response in the lives of
several of our members. You know who you are. You should be
wearing "special person" badges. If you are able, please
come forward just now.
If my figures
are correct, ten of our active members said "yes" to God
by publicly joining their lives with Christ and this church in the
month of September down through the years. Tallying up all those
years, these ten represent 421 years of service. Last May we had
two more years than that, but those were divided among fifteen
persons. It doesn’t hurt to include our oldest member, who
stepped into the waters of baptism in 1922 (at the age of 11).
We thank God
for you, for bringing you into this fellowship. You are a
"special person" to us. Whether or not you were raised
in this family of faith, it was your decision to follow Jesus with
us. That’s a joy, evidence that God has been moving in your
life. Thank you for the ways in which you have responded to his
call. As is revealed in those seven letters in Revelation, God
knows our works, what we do for Him in this world. May you
continue to bear fruit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, following
Jesus! We walk with you. Forgive us when our steps falter, as we
will seek to forgive you when you stumble.
Brothers and
sisters, let me extend the opportunity just now to renew the vows
you once made, that today might be, for you, a fresh beginning to
another year of faith. Here goes.
Do you
still believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Do you still trust
him as your Savior and Lord? If so, say, "I do."
Will you
turn away from all sin and endeavor by God’s grace - today!
- to freely live according to the example and teachings of
Jesus? If so, say, "I will."
Will you
continue to be loyal to the church, upholding these people
through your prayers and your presence, your substance and
your service? If so, say, "I will."
Praise God!
Each of you received a letter which included a pledge form, an
opportunity to respond with some vows specific to you, involving
your time, talents, and substance. If you have felt moved to
pledge in this way, please place it in the plates when the
offering is collected. May God bless this new year in your life in
Christ. (return to seats)
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Offering
our Gifts
It's three pages long in the hymnal, this doxology the Pastor wants
us to sing. Can we do it? Will we do it justice? Are we willing to
try? Or do we think there aren't enough of our best voices here to
sing it? Are we sensing defeat before we even begin?
Being good stewards of
what God has given can, likewise, be complicated. If we tithe, is
that 10% of our income before or after taxes, before or after
expenses, before or after we’ve gotten all our finances in order? Can
we do it? Will we do it justice? Are we willing to try? Or do we
think there isn’t enough to go around? Are we sensing defeat before
we even begin?
"We are
more than conquerors," wrote the apostle Paul (Romans
8:37). "To the one who conquers I will give a place
with me on my throne," revealed St. John to the church in
Laodicea (Revelation 3:21). Are you interested
in singing to the Lord a new song, whether it be with musical notes
or dollar signs? ... Ponder that question as the plates are passed,
and get ready to sing. Ushers?
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Dedication
We're not sure we sang it quite right, God, but we made it through.
Keep challenging us, Lord. Help us to become more bold, less
hesitant. We know it doesn't matter if it's not perfect. You take
care of that. What's important is that we go for it, and trust in
you every measure, every paycheck, each day with which you bless
us.. In Jesus, we pray. AMEN
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Pastoral Prayer
written closer to the time (if not at the
moment)
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Worship
before the throne of God
Revelation 4:1-11 (NRSV)
The Open Door
{1} After this I looked,
and there in heaven a door stood open!
And the first voice,
which I had heard speaking to me
like a trumpet, said,
"Come up here, and I will show you
what must take place after this."
At the Center
{2} At once I was in the spirit,
and there in heaven stood a throne,
with one seated on the throne!
{3}
And the one seated there looks like jasper
and carnelian,
and around the throne is a rainbow
that looks like an emerald.
Gathering around
{4}
Around the throne are twenty-four thrones,
and seated on the thrones
are twenty-four elders,
dressed in white robes,
with golden crowns on their heads.
Revealing
{5}
Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning,
and rumblings
and peals of thunder,
and in front of the throne
burn seven flaming torches,
which are the seven spirits of God;
{6}
and in front of the throne
there is something like a sea of glass,
like crystal.
Sing
"Holy"
Around the throne,
and on each side of the throne,
are four living creatures,
full of eyes in front and behind:
{7}
the first living
creature like a lion,
the second living creature like an ox,
the third living creature with a
face
like a human face, and
the fourth living creature like a flying
eagle.
{8}
And the four living creatures,
each of them with six wings,
are full of eyes all around
and inside.
Day and night without ceasing they sing,
"Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come."
The echoing affirmation
{9} And
whenever the living creatures
give glory and honor and thanks
to the one who is seated on the throne,
who lives forever and ever,
{10}
the twenty-four elders fall before
the one who is seated on the throne
and worship
the one who lives forever and ever;
they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
{11}
"You are worthy,
our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will
they existed and were created."
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Benediction
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