Sunday February 18, 2024 Worship Services “Can God Make a Rock God Can’t Lift?” by Pat Halverson
February 18th 2024
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for a time of fellowship.
· Session meets today at 10:45am in wee Dining room
· The Gathering Place is open every Thursday
PRAYER REQUESTS
· JoAnn Grimm and Joan Boyd are residents of Fieldstone in DeWitt.
· To the Conzett Family as they Mourn the loss of Annette Conzett
· Joan Pinkston, on hospice.
· Ellen and Keith Miller who struggle with health issues. Ellen is at Eagle Point Care Center
· For our brothers and sisters in Israel, Palestine and Ukraine.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L. On this third Sunday of the Lord’s appearance (Epiphany), we gather in
worship with the Word as our illumination,
P. with the Spirit as our inspiration,
L. with the Savior as our redemption,
P. and with the saints who have gone before as our example,
All. To worship the Lord our God
*HYMN Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #482
(You may be seated.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, we come to you in need of forgiveness for those times we have tried to be “almighty” in our own lives. We seek forgiveness because of our impatience, pride, or ignorance, as we have sought to work out things our way without seeking you, as we have tried to accomplish your work in our own limited strength.
Forgive us, and remind us with new hope of your love, your greatness, and your readiness to come to our aid in time of need. As we enter this new year, continue to use us in your kingdom work. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God has opened our eyes to see his salvation which was prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation, and glory to God’s people. I declare to you, my Friends, in the amazing love that descended to Bethlehem that night so long ago, your sins are forgiven. Your new life has sprung forth. Praise to God, our Lord. Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
PASSING THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
INTERLUDE
Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord God, With the words spoken this day, may we, too, be nudged to declare, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, anointing us to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted.” We open our ears and our hearts to you, Gracious Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
John 3:1-5,
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Daniel 3:1, 4-12, 16-18, 25-28
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon…
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”…
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”…..
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God
SERMON “Can God Make a Rock God Can’t Lift?”
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in 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.
Prayer of dedication
Let us pray: Lord, May you continue to bless this body of Christ, and lead us to use these gifts to further your ministries of worship and caring for others. We thank you, amen
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN Just As I Am #370
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE Isa. 55:1 Ps 63:4-5
Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
let those who have no money come and eat.
God will satisfy our souls with a rich feast,
and we will bless the Lord as long as we live
GREAT THANKSGIVING (from Book of Common Worship)
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy
to give you thanks and praise,
O God our creator and redeemer…
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with choirs of angels
and with all the faithful of every time and place,
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…
Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy offering of ourselves,
that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us…
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever.
Amen.
PARTAKING THE BREAD AND CUP
Hymn “I Sing the Might Power of God”. # 288
CHARGE & BLESSING
POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
Presbyterians practice open communion which means anyone who seeks to be in a relationship with Christ is welcome at the table regardless of denomination, age, or status.
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for a time of fellowship.
· Session meets today at 10:45am in wee Dining room
· The Gathering Place is open every Thursday
PRAYER REQUESTS
· JoAnn Grimm and Joan Boyd are residents of Fieldstone in DeWitt.
· To the Conzett Family as they Mourn the loss of Annette Conzett
· Joan Pinkston, on hospice.
· Ellen and Keith Miller who struggle with health issues. Ellen is at Eagle Point Care Center
· For our brothers and sisters in Israel, Palestine and Ukraine.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L. On this third Sunday of the Lord’s appearance (Epiphany), we gather in
worship with the Word as our illumination,
P. with the Spirit as our inspiration,
L. with the Savior as our redemption,
P. and with the saints who have gone before as our example,
All. To worship the Lord our God
*HYMN Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #482
(You may be seated.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, we come to you in need of forgiveness for those times we have tried to be “almighty” in our own lives. We seek forgiveness because of our impatience, pride, or ignorance, as we have sought to work out things our way without seeking you, as we have tried to accomplish your work in our own limited strength.
Forgive us, and remind us with new hope of your love, your greatness, and your readiness to come to our aid in time of need. As we enter this new year, continue to use us in your kingdom work. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God has opened our eyes to see his salvation which was prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation, and glory to God’s people. I declare to you, my Friends, in the amazing love that descended to Bethlehem that night so long ago, your sins are forgiven. Your new life has sprung forth. Praise to God, our Lord. Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
PASSING THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
INTERLUDE
Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord God, With the words spoken this day, may we, too, be nudged to declare, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, anointing us to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted.” We open our ears and our hearts to you, Gracious Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
John 3:1-5,
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Daniel 3:1, 4-12, 16-18, 25-28
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon…
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”…
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”…..
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God
SERMON “Can God Make a Rock God Can’t Lift?”
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in 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.
Prayer of dedication
Let us pray: Lord, May you continue to bless this body of Christ, and lead us to use these gifts to further your ministries of worship and caring for others. We thank you, amen
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN Just As I Am #370
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE Isa. 55:1 Ps 63:4-5
Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
let those who have no money come and eat.
God will satisfy our souls with a rich feast,
and we will bless the Lord as long as we live
GREAT THANKSGIVING (from Book of Common Worship)
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy
to give you thanks and praise,
O God our creator and redeemer…
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with choirs of angels
and with all the faithful of every time and place,
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…
Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy offering of ourselves,
that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us…
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever.
Amen.
PARTAKING THE BREAD AND CUP
Hymn “I Sing the Might Power of God”. # 288
CHARGE & BLESSING
POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
Presbyterians practice open communion which means anyone who seeks to be in a relationship with Christ is welcome at the table regardless of denomination, age, or status.
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