WE PREPARE TO WORSHIP GOD
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” --C. S. Lewis
PRELUDE
WELCOME
INTROIT
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsively, from Psalm 62)
I depend on God alone!
I put my hope in God!
God alone protects and saves me.
God is my defender. I shall never be defeated.
My salvation depends on God.
Trust God at all times. God is our refuge!
*HYMN: #686 “God of Our life” Glory to God Hymnal
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Gracious and Holy One, creator of all things and of emptiness, I come to you full of much that clutters and distracts, stifles and burdens me, and makes me a burden to others. Empty me now of gnawing dissatisfactions, of anxious imaginings, of fretful preoccupations, of nagging prejudices, of old scores to settle, and of the arrogance of being right. Empty me of the disguises and lies in which I hide myself from other people and from my responsibility for my neighbors and the world. Hollow out in me a space in which I will find myself, find peace and a whole heart, a forgiving spirit and holiness, the springs of laughter, and the will to reach boldly for abundant life for myself and the whole human family…
Silent prayers of confession
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE
Jonah 3:1-10 (p. 1122-1123)
Mark 1:16-20 (p. 1215)
SERMON: “Nothing Fishy Going On Around Here”
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
*HYMN: #721 “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” Glory to God Hymnal
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love, God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people to live in one community. But we rebel against God. We hide from our creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation.
Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. (from “A Brief Statement of Faith”)
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER, 3-FOLD AMEN
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Meditation
*DOXOLOGY (#609) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison)
Gracious and Loving God, everything we have to offer is a gift. Bless and approve our offering. Let it stand as a sign to us and to the whole world of your constant willingness to shower us with everything we need. Amen.
WE RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING
*CLOSING HYMN: #722 “Lord, Speak to Me” Glory to God Hymnal
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION: #583 “ God Be With You” God be with you till we meet again; By his counsels guide, uphold you, With His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.
*POSTLUDE: Let us go out into the world rejoicing. May Christ’s warm welcome shine from our hearts and Christ’s own peace prevail through this and every day, till greater life shall call. Amen.
*Those who are able may stand
Children are especially important to this congregation. We don’t mind their minor disruptions and movements. If your child becomes more active than is comfortable for you or those around you, we have a nursery located in the lower level where the worship service can still be heard.
First Presbyterian Church
105 S. Main Street, Pardeeville, WI 53954
Commissioned Ruling Elder: Pastor McGinley
Church Office: (608) 429-2646
Website: fpcpardeeville.org
Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.
January 27, 2019
