WELCOME AND GREETINGS
PRELUDE “My Lord, What a Morning” Donna Rhine
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In a world where powerful people make decisions to lift themselves up
and cast others aside, how does God teach us to use our power?
People: God teaches us to protect the vulnerable, resist the oppressors,
and persist in doing good.
Leader: In a world where power means might, how does God show us what
power means?
People: God shows us through the midwives’ daring, Peter’s truth-telling,
and Jesus’ humility.
Leader: In a world where power is held over people’s heads, how does God
exercise power?
People: God exercises power with—with the oppressed, with the outcasts,
with the poor and downtrodden.
Leader: Beloved, we gather to recognize our world as it is
People: So may we to grow as disciples and imitators of Christ.
INVOCATION
HYMN “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” #160
OPENING PRAYER
O God, Sustainer of all life and Creator of the universe, you set us aside
to be leaders, so help us see things as they are and not only as they affect
ourselves. Grant that we may have a wise and modest estimate of our own
powers and live in full contact with all things high, true, and good. Teach
us our failings and our faults; give us courage to acknowledge them and,
by your grace, enable us to overcome them.
May your Spirit dwell in us more and more, that your peace which
exceeds all understanding may possess our hearts and minds. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
A PROVERB Humility and the fear of the Lord
bring wealth and honor and life. (Prov. 22:4)
Presenting Our Gifts to the Lord
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
HYMN “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” #526
BLESSING THE READING AND HEARING OF THE WORD
FIRST TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 51:1-6 Joan Strait
EPISTLE READING Romans 12:1-8 Joan Strait
Leader: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Truth Shall Set You Free Pastor Dave
“Breaking the Chains”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We look for you in all the wrong places, God of the lost, and wonder why
we cannot find you. We wander the corridors of power, while you are on
the sidewalks, beside the homeless. We sit at the head tables of the world,
while you are handing out soup to the hungry at the kitchen’s backdoor.
We applaud those who win the race, while you are cheering on those in
last place.
In forgiving us, God of new life, you would transform our cold hearts
into those melted in service to others.
In granting us mercy, you challenge us to think of all those we have
ignored.
In gifting us with grace, you enable us to proclaim Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior, as the hope, the joy, the peace the world seeks.
Forgive us, we pray, Oh most merciful God. Amen.
A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
HYMN “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” #513
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “The Love of God” Donna Rhine
