Worship Celebration
Worship Celebration
United Church of Hyde Park
September 23, 2018
Guiding Vision
“We are a diverse, Christ-centered people, learning together and reaching out to serve the community in faith, hope, and
Prelude “Meditation” Gounod Edith Yokley, Violin
Choral Introit “Let All the World In Every Corner Sing”
Welcome
*Call to Worship
One: Our world offers many wide avenues
and beautiful boulevards to walk;
All: Our God invites us to walk the road of service and sacrifice.
One: Our society suggests we put down our roots in the shallow soil of pleasure and greed.
All: Our God seeks to plant us on the banks of hope, watered by the rivers of joy and grace.
One: Our culture promotes achievement, success, climbing to the top, ringing the bell.
All: Our God tells us if we want to be first we need to go to the end of the line.
*Opening Hymn “O Worship the King” # 73
Call to Reconciliation
One: While we try to live in God’s way, we know how often we follow the wrong advice, or walk down sin’s shadowed streets. Yet, God watches over us and calls us to confess, so we might be welcomed into the embracing arms of mercy and healing. Let us pray as we say,
Unison Prayer of Forgiveness
We confess how much we are like those first disciples of Jesus, Wisdom from on high. Our cravings for more and more toss us about like leaves in the fall winds. We boast of our great wisdom, yet do not understand your ways of peace and gentleness. We do not plant ourselves in your hope and grace, and so reap harvests of disorder and conflict.
Draw near to us, Gracious God, and forgive us. Draw us into your tender arms, and teach us peace, gentleness, the willingness to put the other first, the wisdom to serve instead of seize, so we might bring forth a harvest of righteousness, justice, and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
One: This is the wisdom from above: God plants in us the forgiveness and healing we need, so we might share the good harvest of joy and mercy with everyone we meet.
All: Bathed in the living waters, fed by the Bread of life, we are given new life and hope. 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, and 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.
Moment as Children
Anthem “Offertory” Micah Gleason, Edith Yokley soloists
Prayer of Illumination
One: Holy God, Word made flesh,
let us come to this word open to being surprised.
Silence our agendas;
banish our assumptions;
cast out our casual detachment.
Confound our expectations;
clear the cobwebs from our ears;
penetrate the corners of our hearts with this word.
We know that you can,
we pray that you will,
and we wait with great anticipation.
Amen.
1st Scripture Reading Psalm 19: 7-14, pew Bible p. 433
One: Here ends the reading
All: Thanks be to God.
2nd Scripture Reading Mark 9: 30-37, pew Bible p. 821
One: Here ends the reading
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Finding Your Way” Rev. Charlene Hill
We Respond to God’s Call
*Hymn of Response “He Leadeth Me” VS:1 & 3 #124
Invitation to the Offering
You can now give to UCHP electronically 2 ways!
-Text 773-366-8247 the amount you would like to give and follow next steps.
-Visit the website http://uchpchicago.com and click on “Giving”
Offertory “Draw the Circle Wide”
*Doxology “Give Thanks”
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ his son.
(repeat)
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”;
let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us.”
(repeat)
Give thanks! Give thanks! Give thanks!
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 “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” #664
*Benediction
Postlude
In Worship Today
Pastor: Rev. Charlene Hill
Director of Music – Organist: Joe Wilkinson
Liturgist: Stephanie Uhl
1st Scripture Reading, Psalm 19: 7-14 (pew Bible p. 433)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;[a]
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
2nd Scripture Reading, Mark 9: 30-37 (pew Bible p. 821)
Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”