Rev. John McFayden, Vice President, Church Relations Worship Rev. John McFayden, Vice President, Church Relations

Call To Worship Leader: O Lord, open my lips, All: and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! All: Serve the Lord with gladness! Leader: Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving, All: singing joyful songs of praise!

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Text: Henry van Dyke, 1907, alt. Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1842, adapt. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

Psalm 147:1-4 1Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. 2The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 4He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.

Psalm 147:5-7 5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Psalm 147:8-11 8He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. 9He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. 10His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; 11but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Mortals, join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began; love divine is reigning o'er us, binding all within its span. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife; joyful music leads us sunward, in the triumph song of life.

Prayer O God of mercy and compassion: we rejoice as we gather in your presence. We thank you for the church in which we are called to serve: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); its ministry and mission; its agencies and mid councils; its congregations and church workers; pastors, teachers, musicians, mission workers, administrators, and support staff.

Prayer As we seek to serve those who serve, may we always be people led by compassion and grace. May the focus of our service to you be service to the community in which we are placed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn “For Everyone Born” Text: Shirley Erena Murray, 1998; ©1998 Hope Publishing Music: Brian Mann, 2006; ©2006 Brian Mann (admin. General Board of Global Ministries) Please refer to the handout: Stanza 1: Song Leader Stanza 2: Men, Refrain All Stanza 3: Women, Refrain All Stanza 4: All Stanza 5: All