Chilmark Community Church, Methodist
January 25, 2009
Prelude: Little Prelude in C major by Bach
Gathering
Passing the Peace
*Call to Worship
And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29
*Hymn 428 “ For the Healing of the Nations
Prayers: Concerns and Celebrations
Silent prayer :Let us be in the attitude of prayer, bringing our concerns into the presence of God in our hearts.
Collect: O lord, who sees that all hearts are empty except thou fill them, and all desires balked except they crave after thee; give us light and grace to seek and find thee, that we may be thine and thou mayest be ours for ever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Psalm 62:5-12 p.787
For the President and others in authority: (by Bishop White)
*Hymn 120 “Your love, O God”
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5,10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1: 14-20
We give thanks, O god of sacred stories, for the witness of holy scripture. Through it, you nurture our imaginations, touch our feelings, increase our awareness, and challenge our assumptions. Bless, we pray,our hearing of your word this day. Grant that by the power of your Spirit, we may be hearer and doers of your word. Amen
Comments and discussion by those who feel like it. Don’t feel bad if you don’t.
Confession: Holy God, who loves us. We are sorry that we hurt our loved ones; that we turn our backs on need; that we seek revenge for petty wrongs in petty ways. Even as we speak these words, we know your presence and your love. We are sorry, O God, for what separates us from each other and from You. Make us strong and tender, we pray, that we may live more as you would have us live. Amen
Offering
Doxology p.588
Thanksgiving: Almighty and most merciful God, we give thanks to thee for the light of another day, for the work we have to do, and for the strength to do it. Guide us, we pray thee, by thy truth; uphold us by thy power; and purify us by the continual indwelling of thy spirit. Grant that in every circumstance we may grow in wisdom, and, knowing the things that belong to our peace, obtain strength to persevere.
Hymn 399 “Take My Life and Let it be”
Closing prayer: Grant, O Lord, that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and that what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives as followers of Jesus. Amen
Postlude: Andante by Telemann
*Stand if you are able.
Organist: Carol Loud
Leader: Ann Deitrich
Next week’s scripture lessons: Deuteronomy 18:15-20;1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28