ORDER OF WORSHIP
OCTOBER 27, 2024 10:30 AM
TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 126)
Leader: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
PEOPLE: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Leader: The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
PEOPLE: Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negev.
Leader: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
PEOPLE: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
INVOCATION
God of unity, we come before you in worship and adoration for all you have created and offered to us. We enter your sanctuary to give you honor and praise and your love and care are beyond limits. Receive our worship and accept our thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “This Is the Day” Red # 801
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our God is not a concept, since the true presence and magnitude of God defies all our imaginations, descriptions, and definitions. Let us come before God in our search for that understanding.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Gracious God, we confess that our words and notions about you often detract and diminish your indescribable dimensions when our attempts at understanding tend to reduce you to a larger version of ourselves. Remind us once more, by the beauty of creation and the spirit of your love that you exceed all our images, ideas, and concepts. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
By the word of Scripture, the grace of God’s love, and the sheer beauty of the creation around us, we know we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Through the Love of God Our Savior” Red # 610
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will, discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 31: 7-9 John Safran
EPISTLE READING: Ephesians 4: 1-6
GOSPEL READING: John 12: 37-50
SERMON: Not to Judge, but to Save John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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 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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “This is the Good News”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
**PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING “Now thank We All Our God” Red # 374
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Many and Great, O God are Thy Things” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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