Lectionary Readings
Deuteronomy 30:15–20
A choice between life and death, prosperity and adversity.
Psalm 119:1–8
Happy are those who keep God’s law and follow God’s way.
1 Corinthians 3:1–9
Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God is the source of growth.
Matthew 5:21–37
Jesus interprets the laws on murder, adultery, and making vows.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We gather here as the body of Christ,
God’s servants working together.
God call us to worship,
to hear the good news
and sing our praise,
for we are the hands and feet of Jesus here and now.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the faith, hope, and love you give to us
through the blessing of our baptism—
claiming us as your beloved children,
calling us to the path of discipleship,
revealing to us the light of your glory.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
help us to follow you with faith,
to trust in you with hope,
and to serve you with love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Our sins and failures can overwhelm us.
Yet God waits to forgive and heal.
Let us lay down our burdens
and open our hearts,
that we may receive grace and
the gift of new life.
Almighty God,
you set before us life and prosperity,
but we turn towards death and adversity.
We do not listen to your commandments,
we bow down to other gods:
convenience, self-reliance, greed, bitterness.
Break us of our longing for gods we can see and touch.
Turn us back to you, mysterious and mighty God,
that we may observe your commandments,
and walk in your ways.
Lifting water from the font:
God is always offering us another chance.
God is always offering life and abundance.
Turn to God and receive the good news:
Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
we are forgiven! Alleluia!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
God of shining splendor,
your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder.
Overshadow us with your Spirit
so that we may hear your Word
and live as faithful disciples
and covenant people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Speak to us, Lord, for your servants are listening.
1 Samuel 3:9–10
After the readings:
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
Mark 1:27
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord who speaks to us, strengthens us,
and blesses us with peace,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Psalm 29:1, 11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
In Jesus of Nazareth,
true humanity was realized once for all.
Jesus, a Palestinian Jew,
lived among his own people
and shared their needs, temptations,
joys, and sorrows.
He expressed the love of God
in word and deed
and became a brother
to all kinds of sinful men and women.
But his complete obedience
led him into conflict with his people.
His life and teaching judged their goodness,
religious aspirations, and national hopes.
Many rejected him and demanded his death.
In giving himself freely for them,
he took upon himself the judgment
under which everyone stands convicted.
God raised him from the dead,
vindicating him as Messiah and Lord.
The victim of sin became victor,
and won the victory
over sin and death for all.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.08
Prayers of Intercession
We approach God in prayer not as strangers,
but as beloved children, baptized in Christ Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the church . . .
Let us be rooted in the depth of your Word
and watered by the gifts of your Spirit,
so that we will bear the fruit of your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the earth . . .
In the land that you have given us
help us to choose life and prosperity
for all of the creatures you have made.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for all nations . . .
Take away the deadly curses of war,
famine, poverty, and disease.
Bring life and blessing to all people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for this community . . .
Let us be reconciled to one another,
seeking justice and forgiving wrong.
Make us more faithful and honest in all we do.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Give life to those who are perishing;
give blessing to those who feel cursed;
give comfort to those who are in pain.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy One, as you are well pleased with Christ,
help us to live in a way that will be pleasing to you.
As you have called us to listen to Christ,
help us to always heed his word and seek his will.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Child, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Matthew 3:17, 17:5
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
There is only one Lord and God,
from whom all things come
and for whom we live.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:4–6
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of glory,
as people brought gifts to the infant Jesus,
we bring our gifts to you.
May these gifts be used
to lift up those who are oppressed,
to bring deliverance to those who are in need,
to support those who are poor,
and to help those who are in trouble. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You set before us life and death, prosperity and adversity,
calling us to obey your commandments and walk in your ways.
To those who trust in you, you offer the gift of life in fullness.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus revealed to us the fullness and spirit of your law—
a law of life and peace, truthfulness and fidelity.
Still he calls us to be reconciled with you and one another.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your grace, continue to nourish us with spiritual food.
Build us up, for the sake of the gospel, into a holy temple.
Let our lives bear good fruit for all who hunger and thirst.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
We give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ,
for the gifts of grace
we have received from your hand.
Now send us forth to reflect your light,
proclaiming your saving death and resurrection
until you come again in glory. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
Beloved children of God,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the blessing of the Lord forever. Alleluia!
Mark 1:11, 9:7
As Jesus called the first disciples,
so he calls to us this day:
Follow me. Amen.
Mark 1:17, John 1:43
Art“Potato Planters”
Jean François Millet, 1861
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- God’s Word Is Upright / La palabra del Señor (OEG) NELSON GTG 40
- O God in Whom All Life Begins (E) NOEL GTG 308
- Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive (G) DETROIT GTG 444, PH 347
- Here I Am to Worship (O) HERE I AM TO WORSHIP WAS 3177
WORD
- There in God’s Garden (E) SHADES MOUNTAIN GTG 226
- Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song (OE) BRIDEGROOM GTG 285, PH 314
- God Is Calling through the Whisper (O) W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY GTG 410
- Great God Who Made Both Sky and Sea (E) DUNLAP’S CREEK Sing No Empty Alleluias, Chris Shelton, GIA
EUCHARIST
- Steal Away (OE) STEAL AWAY GTG 358
- One Bread, One Body (E) ONE BREAD, ONE BODY GTG 530
- Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen (E) SURGE ECCLESIA GTG 536
- Let Us Be Bread (OE) LET US BE BREAD STF 2260
SENDING
- O Jesus, I Have Promised (G) ANGEL’S STORY, NYLAND GTG 724, 725; PH 388, 389
- Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! (OE) MARION, VINEYARD HAVEN GTG 804; PH 145, 146
- Make Your Face to Shine / Haz resplandecer tu rostro (OE) GLÁUCIA GTG 811
- Come One and All, Let’s Follow Christ, Our Lord / Kanou kanou tumanud do Tuhan (E) KANOU STB 78
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- How Blest Are They Whose Path Is Pure [CM]; PCW 119a
- Blest Are the Uncorrupt in Heart [RICHMOND, CM]; PH 233, SGP 178
- I Long for Your Commandments [WOHL DENEN DIE DA WANDELN]; GTG 64
- All Your Commandments, Father Almighty [KANCIONAL NEW]; PAS 119 O
Responsorial
- O Lord, My Delight Is in Your Law; PAS 119H, PSA 121
- O Lord, You Have the Words of Life [LEONI/YIGDAL]; PP 228
- Let Me Sing of Your Law; PAS 119A
Organ Music
- “Our Father, God in Heaven Above,” VATER UNSER, Georg Bohm, public domain (M)
- “Amazing Grace,” NEW BRITAIN, Grace and Jubilation, Jack N. White, HWG (ME)
- “Salvation unto Us Has Come,” ES IST DAS HEIL, Augsburg Organ Library: Reformation, Charles W. Ore, AF (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee,” Gregory Hamilton, MSM, SATB, keybd, opt fl or vln (E)
- “O God, My Faithful God,” Kevin Hildebrand, MSM, SATB, org (E)
- “Teach Me, O Lord,” Thomas Attwood, CPDL, SATB, org (E)
- “If You Love Me,” Philip Wilby, ECS, SSATB, org (M)
- “Day by Day,” Mark Hayes, AF, SATB, pno (M)
- “The Lord Will Guide Our Ways,” AF, SATB, pno (M)
Handbell Music
- “Holy Manna,” Judy Phillips, 3–6 oct, opt 3–5 oct hc, AGEHR, 36044, Level 2
- “Steal Away,” Sandra Eithun, 3-6 oct, opt 3–5 oct hc, CGA, CGB775, Level 2+
- “O Jesus I Have Promised,” Brenda Austin, 3–5 oct, RW, RW8268, Level 2+
Art
- Potato Planters, Jean François Millet (VDL)
- Reconciliation, Josefina de Vasconcellos, Coventry Cathedral (VDL)
- Hands Across the Divide, Maurice Harron (VDL)
- Reconciliation, Amos Supuni (VDL)
