Homecrest Presbyterian Church Worship of the Lord’s Day August 14th, 2016 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gathering Around the WORD Call To Worship (Based on Hebrews 12:1) Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Mindful of the gifts we receive and confident of the sustenance the Lord provides, let us worship God.

Gathering Hymn # 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory” God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient church's story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.

Gathering Hymn # 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory” Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.

Gathering Hymn # 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory” Cure thy children's warring madness; bend our pride to thy control; shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.

Gathering Hymn # 307 “God of Grace and God of Glory” Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore. Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.

Gathering Around the WORD Call to Confession Our God is gracious and willing to give us a second chance. God desires us to come before Him with a contrite heart and spirit. Trusting in God’s hopes for us, let us come before God with humility, petitioning for God’s reconciliation and peace.

Gathering Around the WORD Prayer of Confession (in unison) God of hope, we confess our disregard of your care, our doubt of your providence, and our blindness to signs of your love. We are afraid to risk our comforts to find new life; we separate ourselves from you and from others and foster divisions between those you love. Help us to amend our lives and make us your faithful people who bear the good fruit of your Word in the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.    

Gathering Around the WORD Declaraion of Forgivness Time after time we’ve sinned. Time after time God has redeemed us and granted us new life through God’s mercy. We know we are not perfect but we strive to seek the perfecter of our faith. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can stand boldly as God’s forgiven children. Thanks be to God, Amen.

Gathering Around the WORD 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.

Gathering Around the WORD Passing of the Peace of Christ Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Proclaiming the WORD Message to the Youth/ Prayer of Illumination

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2) 29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2) 32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2) Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2) 39Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Proclaiming the WORD Scripture Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2) 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Proclaiming the WORD Running the Race with Perseverance (Hebrews: 11:29-12:2)

Proclaiming the WORD Running the Race with Perseverance (Hebrews: 11:29-12:2)

Proclaiming the WORD Running the Race with Perseverance (Hebrews: 11:29-12:2)

Proclaiming the WORD Running the Race with Perseverance (Hebrews: 11:29-12:2)

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?

Responding Hymn # 69 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky” (Here I Am, Lord) Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

In life and in death we belong to God. Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – A Brief Statement of Faith (Presbyterian Church USA, 1983) – Sections 1 & 2 In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, We trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – A Brief Statement of Faith (Presbyterian Church USA, 1983) We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.

Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – A Brief Statement of Faith (Presbyterian Church USA, 1983) Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Announcements & Sharing of Joys and Concerns The Women's Group and the Afternoon Bible Study will not be meeting during the summer. They will resume in September.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Prayer of the People & The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven. Halloweth be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts; as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Offering of our Gifts and our Lives

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Doxology and Offertory Prayer

Sending Hymn # 846 “Fight the Good Fight” Fight the good fight with all thy might. Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be thy joy and crown eternally.

Sending Hymn # 846 “Fight the Good Fight” Run the straight race through God's good grace; lift up thine eyes, and seek Christ's face. Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Sending Hymn # 846 “Fight the Good Fight” Cast care aside; lean on thy guide. God's boundless mercy will provide. Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

Sending Hymn # 846 “Fight the Good Fight” Faint not nor fear: God's arms are near. God changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe, and thou shalt see that Christ is all in all to thee.

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World The Charge and Benediction

Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Benediction Response #540 “Farewell, Good Friends” Farewell good friends! Farewell, good friends! Shalom, Shalom! Till we meet again, till we meet again, shalom, shalom.

Homecrest Presbyterian Church Worship of the Lord’s Day August 14th, 2016 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time