Worship Service
September 6, 2020
Note: The prelude begins 15 minutes into the video but at the beginning of the audio file
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this glorious morning, a morning that reminds us of the miracle of your creation and our place in it. When you made us, you breathed life into our bodies and touched us, creating not just our physical beings but also our souls, the part of us that is also part of you. May we remember that we come from you and that you live in us, giving us the power and will to keep ourselves safe from illness. Also, always let us remember that it is the love of God that ties us to one another and that love will help us find understanding as our communities struggle with anger and injustice.
Lord, teach us to repent of our fear, anger and selfishness. Show us that our attitudes, words and deeds may separate us from our own best selves, the part of us that touches you. Help us repent of these sins, so we may live in love and good will through you and in you.
Bless us, Lord, and be with us forever. Amen.
SONG – Change My Heart, O God Faith We Sing # 2152
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG – Near to the Heart of God
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of Jesus Christ
LUKE 19:1-10
19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
ROMANS 5:20-6:8
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.
JOHN 8:31-32
Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”
GOOD NEWS Hide-And-Seek part 2
SONG – Living for Jesus Faith We Sing # 2149
THE HOLY COMMUNION
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amounts of our offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
All: As we count all the blessings God has already given to us, we cheerfully give our offerings to God, the Provider, with grateful hearts. Amen! (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of the Holy Spirit
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE