February 25, 2018 Welcome to OPC

Welcome and Announcements Cambridge Chimes Welcome and Announcements Greeting Each Other

Prelude “Trumpet Air” ~Purcell Ringing of the Bell Prelude “Trumpet Air” ~Purcell Lighting of the candles

*CALL TO WORSHIP AND INVOCATION L: On this Sunday we continue our journey with Jesus. Are you ready for the journey? P: We truly are ready. We have decided to follow Jesus.

L: This journey is not easy L: This journey is not easy. You may want to turn and go home to safety and security. P: No. We are ready. The world is behind us; we are focused on the Lord.

L: The journey to be with Christ has many challenges L: The journey to be with Christ has many challenges. P: With his help we accept those challenges. We place our faith and trust in Jesus.

L: May God bless us and renew our hearts L: May God bless us and renew our hearts. P: May we honor God by loving as Christ did. L: Let us worship God. P: Let us worship God!

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.1 O Lord, my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.1 Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! (Repeat)

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.2 Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! (Repeat)

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.3 And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin;

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.3 Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! (Repeat)

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

*HYMN #467 “How Great Thou Art” v.4 Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! (Repeat)

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Loving One, even though we say “it’s all about you,” too often we are thinking: “it’s all about me.” You call us to a faith that asks deep and full commitment,

and unfortunately we choose the partial option and unfortunately we choose the partial option. Today we face the challenge which true commitment brings: are we willing to offer our whole selves to you in service?

We would like to think that we can do that, but we know how many times we have turned away from service and instead focused on our own desires. Remind us of the commitment you would have us give

to be disciples. Strengthen our hearts to be fully yours to be disciples. Strengthen our hearts to be fully yours. Forgive our stubbornness and fears. Lead us forward, gracious Lord, up these steps toward the Cross.

(silence is observed for reflection and prayer)

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON L: Hear the Good News: In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we learn that God’s love has no bounds. In Christ we are forgiven, and are empowered to begin anew!

Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel. P: In Jesus Christ all are forgiven. Amen.

“The Good Shepherd” ~Douglas Nolan CHOIR ANTHEM “The Good Shepherd” ~Douglas Nolan

Time with Young Christians

PROCLAIMING THE WORD SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 22:23-31

You who fear the Lord, praise him You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live for ever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;

and all the families of the nations shall worship before him and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’

He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests,

and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things

but on human things.’ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake,

and for the sake of the gospel, will save it and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed

L: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God! when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ L: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God!

“Yield” Rev. Tedd Pullano

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.1 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.2 Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear, can abide while we trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.2 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.3 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.3 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.4 But we never can prove the delights of His love, until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.4 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.5 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, where He sends we will go – never fear, only trust and obey.

*HYMN “Trust and Obey” v.5 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Invitation Offertory “My Heart is Filled with Longing”

*DOXOLOGY #592 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) Loving God, you have sent your Son into the world, so that all may have life. As we go from your sanctuary this day, guide us to

offer that life in Christ’s name to all our neighbors offer that life in Christ’s name to all our neighbors. Use our talents to build up Christ’s body. Use the money that we give to bring healing for his sake.

All that we give is in response to your generous care for us, and all people. Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*HYMN #2129 “I Have Decided…” v.1 LEFT: I have decided RIGHT: To follow Jesus (Repeat twice) ALL: No turning back, no turning back.

(Repeat twice) ALL: No turning back, no turning back. *HYMN #2129 “I Have Decided…” v.2 LEFT: The world behind me RIGHT: The cross before me (Repeat twice) ALL: No turning back, no turning back.

(Repeat twice) ALL: No turning back, no turning back. *HYMN #2129 “I Have Decided…” v.3 LEFT: Though none go with me RIGHT: Still I will follow (Repeat twice) ALL: No turning back, no turning back.

*HYMN #2129 “I Have Decided…” v.4 ALL: I have decided to follow Jesus (repeat twice) No turning back, no turning back.

*BENEDICTION

“Classical Postlude” ~Haydn