GATHERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reformation Sunday
PRELUDE Patty Bell
*PRAISE MUSIC: “A Mighty Fortress is our God” UMH 110
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: A mighty fortress is our God!
Women: The Lord is my rock and my deliverer, the One in whom I seek sanctuary.
Men: The Lord is my shield, a place of safety and refuge.
Leader: I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy of all my praises.
Women: God is the one who will protect me from those who intend harm to me.
Men: God will defend me and seek any revenge that is due on my behalf.
Leader: The Lord is the foundation of my very life.
Women: I am God’s creation, the beloved work of the Lord’s own hand.
Men: God made a way for my redemption and reconciliation.
Leader: God’s love is eternal.
Women: God’s mercy endures forever.
Men: God’s kingdom never ends.
All: A mighty fortress is our God!
PSALM 119: 137-144
HYMN: “Lord, Be Glorified” UMH 172
TIME WITH THE YOUTH:
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
CONFESSION
Merciful Savior, we thank you for your servant, Martin Luther, and for using him to call your church back to its first love. We, too, need to be reminded of the ways we have strayed from your path for us. We ask for your forgiveness when we put self before neighbor, when we proclaim the gospel with our mouths but betray it with our actions, when we seek your mercy without true repentance. Forgive us when we are judgmental rather than compassionate, arrogant rather than humble, mean-spirited rather than forgiving. We acknowledge that true discipleship is costly, yet we often prefer cheap grace. Forgive us, Lord. Renew within us the joy of loving you with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God is a mighty fortress; therefore, we have nothing to fear! Go in power to love and serve your neighbor this week because of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Almighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you have given us life, granted us wisdom and blessed us with your abiding presences. You care for us and provide for our needs. Out of thanksgiving, accept in return our humble offerings. May these gifts help breathe new life into those in need and be a tangible sign of your ongoing creation. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided; great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: Lord, open our hearts and minds, that by the power of your Holy Spirit we will hear what your Word says to us this day.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 PB, pg. 825
GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 19:1-10 PB, pg. 78
EPISTLE LESSON: 2Thessolonians 1:1-4, 11-12 PB, pg. 193
THE MESSAGE:
*HYMN RESPONSE: “Take My Life, and Let It Be“ UMH 399
SENDING FORTH
CIRCLE SONG: “Surely the Presence”
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING
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Pastor Vicki and her family will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 25, 2010. Donations of food items will be gratefully accepted.
Saturday, November 6th is the Navajo Taco dinner! Bring friends and enjoy!!
Sunday, November 7th Cathy Wilson, from Chose People, will be the guest speaker.