Sunday, September 5th, 2021
“No people has believed as lucidly and long as have the Jews that life has a purpose; that this world is an arena of justice and human dignity; that we are, each of us, free and responsible, capable of shaping our lives in accordance with our highest ideals. We are here for a reason. We were created in love and forgiveness by the God of love and forgiveness who asks us to love and forgive.” ~ Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 1948 – 2020
PRELUDE
Erin Wolf, Piano
WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God says, “If my people,
People: Who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray,
Leader: And seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,
People: I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Leader: Now my eyes will be open and my ears will be attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
All: Loving God, we claim your promises to us today. Heal our land. Heal us. Help us to seek your face in worship today. Amen ~ (Adapted from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 by Austin Hill)
HYMN
Soon and Very Soon UMH #706
Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are goin’ to see the King!
No more dyin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, No more dyin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, No more dyin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are goin’ to see the King!
No more cryin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, No more cryin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, No more cryin’ there we are goin’ to see the King, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are goin’ to see the King!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
CHILDREN’S TIME (11:00am)
THE INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Pastor Mark
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We justly deserve Your judgment.
For our sake, and the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways that lead to glory. Amen.
LORDS PRAYER
Our God 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 trepasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever…Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior (verse 1 & refrain) UMH #351
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
Refrain: Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
SCRIPTURE READING
Joe Krider (8:30am)
Laura Dinges (11:00am)
Leviticus 23:23-24 ~ The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of complete rest, a holy convocation commemorated with trumpet blasts.
HYMN
Amazing Grace (My chains Are Gone) #3104
SCRIPTURE READING
Joe Krider (8:30am)
Laura Dinges (11:00am)
Ezekiel 18:4-9, 20-22 ~ Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right—if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment,does not take advance or accrued interest, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between contending parties,follows my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances, acting faithfully—such a one is righteous; he shall surely live, says the Lord God.
The person who sins shall die. A child shall not suffer for the iniquity of a parent, nor a parent suffer for the iniquity of a child; the righteousness of the righteous shall be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be his own.
But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die.None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live.
SERMON
“Guilt is Good”
Pastor Mark Cordes
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
Erin Wolf, Piano
DOXOLOGY & DEDICATION
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
HYMN
Be Thou my Vision UMH #451
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou and thou only, first in my heart, great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Great God of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Erin Wolf, Piano
FLOWERS
The flowers on the altar are given by Vimbai Kajese, Simbarshe Jaravaza and Tinashe Jaravaza in memory of their loved ones: Rev. A.C. Kajese, Mrs. Dorcas Kajese, Mrs. Dorcas Mudzengerere, Mr. Vengesai Jaravaza and Mrs. Mukai Jaravaza.