Worship - November 11, 2007

“And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets…” (Hebrews 11:32)

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
Psalm 85:7-13

1 - Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

2 - Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

1 - for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

2 - Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

1 - Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

2 - Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.

1 - The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

2 - Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

1 - (after a brief pause) Come, let us "Rejoice, the Lord is king!," #288 in your hymnal

Opening Prayer

Sovereign Lord,
         who is steadfast and true,
         whose faithfulness springs up all around us, and
         whose righteousness watches over us, and goes before us
                  every moment of our lives,
                           we rejoice.
         Yes, this is the day that you have made.
                  Therefore, we rejoice and are glad in it!
Speak your peace to us this hour.
         May we behold a bit of your glory here and now,
                  and may we know, deep within us,
                           that your salvation is at hand,
                                    in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Responding with our Confession

Lord, our God,
         great, eternal, wonderful
         utterly to be trusted:
                  you give life to us all,
                  you help those who come to you,
                  you give hope to those who cry to you.
Forgive our sins, secret and open,
         and rid us of every habit of thought
         that stands against the gospel.
Set our hearts at peace,
         so we may live our lives before you
                  confidently and without fear,
                  through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #699. Based on a prayer from
The Liturgy of St. Basil of Caesarea, 4th c.,
adapted from Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship,
ed. Caryl Micklem, copyright © 1956 1967 SCM Press, Ltd.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

By the grace of God we are what we are, and his grace toward us has not been in vain. Listen afresh to the calling of Simon Peter and his companions:

Luke 5:1-11

Now, compare the offering you are about to give to that catch of fish. You played a part in tossing out your nets, so to speak, to earn your living, a portion of which you will soon place in the plates. But where did it all come from, and what are you doing with the rest of the catch? Is it somehow connected with God’s larger calling of being “fishers of people”? Think about that and offer up your own prayer of thanksgiving as the ushers toss their nets – I mean, pass the plates.

Pastoral Prayer

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

Preface to Message

It is my pleasure this morning to introduce to you our guest speaker, Purah (pyoor′-eh) of the tribe of Manasseh (meh-nahs′-eh). As you may know he was with Gideon when just the two of them snuck into the camp of the Midianites on the night before God answered the cry of the Israelites for help. Perhaps, however, I should let him tell the story. His talk is entitled “You’ve got to be kidding!,” or “how numbers can be deceiving.” … Brother Purah?

Benediction

“Peace be to you, don’t be afraid, you shall not die.” That was the benediction of God to Gideon on that day long ago. Of course, this Old Testament judge did die eventually, but not on that day, nor on the day when he was called to put aside his fears and face the Midianites. As you head into this week, no doubt full of other kinds of Midianites, may the blessing of God’s Shalom, his peace blow away your fear. And do not forget the first words God spoke to Gideon, for the echo through our day as well – “The Lord is with you…”