Welcome to MCC 9/28/14

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord (2x) And we offer up to You the sacrifices of thanksgiving And we offer up to You the sacrifices of joy

Ah, Lord God Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens And the earth by Thy great power. Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens And the earth by Thine outstretched arm.

Nothing is too difficult for Thee. Nothing is too difficult for Thee Great and might God. Great in counsel and mighty in deed Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee

Heart of Worship When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within through the way things appear You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, All about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it When it's all about You, All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express, how much You deserve. Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within through the way things appear You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, All about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it When it's all about You, All about You, Jesus

Call to Worship (responsive) Watch and listen for the wonders of our God. Our God is among us. Watch and listen for the goodness of our God. Our God moves among us. Watch and listen, for God is here. Our God dwells among us.

Invocation (Unison) God, the encourager, God, the compassionate, God, the merciful, holy, blessed: Disturb us. Rouse us from our sleep. Lift us into consciousness of your presence. Change us, move us, mold us for the better; So that, at the sound of your voice, at the call of our name, we will never be the same. May this worship do this and so much more, in the name of Jesus. Amen

Called to follow Christ, we are called to a life of humility. But what does that even mean? Do we seek to exalt ourselves – to be lifted above others? Does our sense of success depend on someone else’s failure? Does our love of God entirely guide our relationships?

Do we twist service into convenience and leisure, ignoring the idea that to serve is to be a servant? Silence In the name of Jesus, we pray – Show us your ways Highlight what we can change and change what we cannot. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon Good friends: God is at work in you! God is alive in us! God lives – but sin is dead. And our sins are forgiven, through Christ, our Savior. All: Alleluia! Amen.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Exodus 17:1-7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

PSALTER READING: Psalm 25:1-9 To you, O God, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O God; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O God, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O God!

Good and upright is God; therefore God instructs sinners in the way. God leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble God's way.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 21:23-32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."

SERMON “The Authority of Humility”

What Wondrous Love is This What wondrous love is this, O my soul! O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this! That Christ should come in bliss To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul To bear the heavy cross for my soul!

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing To God and to the Lamb, I will sing To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing While millions join the theme, I will sing

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on And when from death I‘m free, I’ll sing on I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on And through eternity, I’ll sing on

PASTORAL PRAYER

Lord’s Prayer 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; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.

Response Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me (2x) Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Call to Offering Through this offering, we pool together the resources of every person gathered here, in the name of Jesus, who gives and saves and shows us the way. Let us give and save and show others Christ’s way.

A Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison) These gifts represent the best of ourselves, O God – we attest, with joy that we can do no better. Receive them with our prayers. Take and use them for your goodness. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Christ servant of all Attend the Saviour’s sovereign claim, and crown Christ servant of all

Adorn, O martyred saints of old, the coronation ball Extol the wounded One foretold and crown Christ bearer of all Extol the wounded One foretold, and crown Christ bearer of all

All heirs of Israel’s chosen race, now ransomed from the fall Proclaim the wonders of God’s grace, and crown Christ healer of all

Before the cross, with heaven’s throng, we on our knees shall fall We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Christ savior of all We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Christ savior of all.

Response And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings Bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun. And hold you in the palm of God’s hand.