We Gather Together to Worship Our God
Prelude: Morning Has Broken/Traditional Gaelic Melody
Gathering Hymn: Songs of Faith #25 Lift High the Name of Jesus
Announcements:
Today:
- 9:00 am, High School Sunday School Class meets.
- 10:30 Worship in the sanctuary.
- Following worship, High School Sunday School class meets.
This Week:
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday, Mercy Ministry team meeting.
- 6 am Thursday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
- 10:00 am, Thursday, Fellowship Team meeting.
- 6:00 pm, Thursday, Deacon Meeting.
- 5:00 pm, Friday, Hog Roast at Jay and Kayla’s! (High School Youth Group Kids are invited to come anytime after 1 pm to help set up and hang out) Meat, drinks, and paper products provided. Please bring a side or dessert to share, lawn chairs and games. RSVP to Kayla by August 30th
- 8 am Saturday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
General:
- 8:45 am, September 8th, MOPS meets at the church.
- 9:00 am, September 10th, Sunday School will resume for all ages.
- 5:30 pm, September 10th, “Who Is the Holy Spirit?” community groups begin.
- 5:30 pm, September 10th, Young Adult Bible Study at Jay and Kayla’s. (Address in bulletin) Meal provided.
- 6:00 pm, September 11th, Session Meeting.
- 6:15 pm, September 20th, High School Youth Group resumes for grades 8th-12th.
- September 15th and 16th ‘Flourishing in the Courts of Our God’ Women’s Retreat. The speaker will be Meaghan May and the seminar will be based on Psalm 92. Pamphlets with more information are available. Early registration ends this week!
- 5:00 pm, September 24th, Fall KQ Kick-Off BBQ and KQ registration.
- 5:30 pm, September 27th, Kids’ Quest for grades pre-k-4th, Middle School Youth for grades 5th-7th, and The Study of Eschatology for the adults begin at the church. Meal provided.
- Days 245-274 of the Family Devotional are available. You may pick them up from the basket in the Foyer.
- We are looking for volunteers to sign up to help prepare the Youth Group meals this year. The meal expense will be paid by the church. If interested in helping with these meals, please see Clea B.
- FCC’s Fellowship Team is looking for additional team members. If interested in helping in this area, please let Tracy or the office know.
- During the month of September, we will be taking a collection for the High School Scooper Pantry. See the bulletin for a list of needed items.
You may drop off the items in the basket in the Foyer. Please bring all items by September 24th. If you have any questions, see Amy K.
A Moment for Ministry: The Study of Eschatology
Responsive Call to Worship: Adapted from Philippians 2: 9 – 10
Leader: Because Jesus gave up the riches of heaven to come and die for us, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
All: So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Leader: Let us, together as one, worship our Lord in Spirit and in truth.
Prayer of Adoration
Hymn of Praise: Songs of Faith #27 Behold Our God
We Confess Our Sin
Call to Confession: Adapted from Romans 6: 3 – 4
Leader: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Our old selves were crucified with him, so that we might be slaves to sin no more. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sins.
Silent Confession of Sin
Corporate Prayer of Confession:
All: Holy God, we confess our tendency toward a life driven by our preferences rather than Your instruction. It is easier to follow our own path of ease, comfort, and stability instead of running hard after You. We are quick to forget what You have taught us as we sink back into our personal desires. Help us, Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to love the things You love. May Your direction—not our preferences—guide us as we strive to live like Jesus. Give us endurance when we want to be complacent and patience when we are frustrated with ourselves and others. We trust in Your unfailing love as You help us grow in love and knowledge of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon: From Romans 8: 1, 6: 22; and John 8: 36
Leader: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
All: And if the Son has set us free, we are no longer slaves to sin and death, but free indeed!
Hymn of Assurance: On Jordan’s Stormy Banks
We Give Thanks To The Lord
Responsive Reading:
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. Let us remember his mercy, for he is gracious and compassionate.
All: We thank you for calling us to faith in Christ, for putting your Spirit within us, for giving us the mind of Christ, for gathering us into your church.
Leader: We thank you, Lord, for extending your grace to us, for calling us to a life of gratitude, for calling us to service in your kingdom, for placing us in a land of freedom, prosperity, and blessing, so that we can be a blessing.
All: Thanks be to God!
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory: 1872: Go Down, Moses/Wade in the Water-Negro Spirituals
Doxology
We Hear God Speak
Small Talk
(Following this time, a nursery is available, Toddlers’ Church for ages 2-4, and Children’s Church for ages 5-8.)
Prayer of God’s People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Living as Citizens of Heaven in the Kingdom of This World Romans 13: 1 – 7
A copy of the sermon notes is available: 8-27-23 sermon notes
Hymn of Response: Hymnal #521 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
We Are Dismissed with God’s Blessing
Benediction
Hymn: Hymnal #134 (verse 1) God Will Take Care of You
Postlude: I Know Whom I Have Believed/El Nathan