Worship Celebration
Worship Celebration
United Church of Hyde Park
August 12, 2018
Guiding Vision
“We are a diverse, Christ-centered people, learning together and reaching out to serve the community in faith, hope, and love.”
Prelude “Voluntary in D” Larghetto-Fugue George Berg Robert Woodworth, Guest Organist
Welcome
*Call to Worship
One: You are the One for whom we search, O God,
All: and we worship you because you have found us.
One: You are the hope for which we yearn, O Christ,
All: and so we follow you to serve at your side.
One: You are the peace which can calm us, Holy Spirit,
All: and so we open our brokenness so you might fill us.
*Opening Hymn “Morning Has Broken” # 145
Call to Reconciliation
One: We say we know you, and what you hope for us, but our words and actions, our silences and failures to care, show that we have so much to discover about our God. Let us gather up our foolish lives and offer them in prayer to the One who longs to forgive us and save us from ourselves.
Unison Prayer of Forgiveness
If we are to speak truth in these moments, Giver of the Bread of life, we must admit that we are not very gracious folk, with our words or with our actions. It seems enough to hold grudges, not to speak grace to those who hurt us. It seems enough to get into arguments with others, rather than find paths of peace. It seems enough to pour out bitterness to those around us to drink, rather than cool cups of love.
Forgive us, Merciful God, so we might live in love, as your children. May the grace which was in Jesus fill us with grace. May the hope which was in Jesus fill us with hope. May the life which was in Jesus fill us with life. As Jesus was your heart to us, may we be your heart to those around us. This we pray, even as we offer our lives to you in silence.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
One: When we love others, we imitate God. When we help others, we imitate God. When we offer mercy to others, we imitate God. May others continue to see God in us, even as we are loved, helped, and forgiven by our God.
All: We see God’s grace in the eyes of a child; we taste God’s goodness in a meal with friends; we live God’s peace when we offer justice as a sacrifice for others. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Passing the Peace
We invite the congregation to openly greet one another. Show a smile, shake a hand, give a hug. Let’s share God’s love with one another. During the singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” please find your way back to your seat as we continue fellowship.
*Song of Response sung while on the way back to our seats
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” #557 (1st verse)
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
We Listen Together for the Divine Word
Anthem “Shine on Me” Jade Maze & Suneeta Brooker
Prayer of Illumination
One: Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,
All: Amen.
1st Scripture Reading Psalm 130, pew Bible p. 500
One: Here ends the reading
All: Thanks be to God.
2nd Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2, pew Bible p. 951
One: Here ends the reading
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon “When They Go Low We Go High” Rev. Charlene Hill
We Respond to God’s Call
*Hymn of Response “A Charge to Keep I Have” # 413
Invitation to the Offering
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Offertory “What a Wonderful World” Jade Maze & Suneeta Brooker
*Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Congregants are invited to share requests for prayer.
After each the pastor will offer:
Pastor: Come Holy Spirit—
And the people respond:
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer read together
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 sins,
as we forgive those who sin 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.
*Closing Hymn “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” # 430
Benediction
Postlude “March in C Major” John Williams
In Worship Today
Pastor: Rev. Charlene Hill
Director of Music – Organist: Joe Wilkinson
Guest Organist – Robert Woodworth
Liturgist: Maxine Yokley