Sunday March 17, 2024 Worship Services ““The Transcendence of God" by Pat Halverson
March 17th 2024
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for fellowship.
· The Gathering Place is open every Thursday.
· Session Today at 10:45
· Pulse Articles Due on March 20th.
· Good Friday, March 29th. The Cross will be carried from Christ Episcopal to St Boniface at 11:30 am. Stations of the cross will begin at noon indoors.
· Easter March 31st
PRAYER REQUESTS
· JoAnn Grimm and Joan Boyd are residents of Fieldstone in DeWitt.
· To the Welcher Family as they Mourn the loss of Judy Welcher
· Bev Hermann as she prepares for hip surgery in April.
· 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 We have gathered to worship and listen to what the Spirit reveals within us.
P So Let us know, let us press on to know you, Lord.
L Your going forth is as certain as the dawn.
P You will come to us like the rain, like the spring rains watering the earth.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: Lord in your mercy, forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness. Set us free from that which hinders our trust and obedience, that we may be faithful servants, showing your healing love to others. Forgive us for acting on what we assume is your will, because of an unbalanced understanding of who you are. We seek to live lives that honor you. Through Christ, amen.
HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy #580
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
L. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, the old is gone, a new life has begun. In Christ we are forgiven.
P. Thanks be to God.
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
All. God of loving grace, reveal to us your truth, whether in new understanding or as a fresh reminder of what we know and believe. Inspire us with the knowledge of who you are, that our faith may be refreshed as we continue to know you. Through Christ our Lord, amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord
Psalm 27:1-4
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
John 17:3
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Sermon “The Transcendence of God”
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.
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: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise #263
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.
Amen.
PARTAKING THE BREAD AND CUP
HYMN: How Great Thou Art #467
CHARGE & BLESSING
May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you this day and forever more. Amen.
POSTLUDE
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 fellowship.
· The Gathering Place is open every Thursday.
· Session Today at 10:45
· Pulse Articles Due on March 20th.
· Good Friday, March 29th. The Cross will be carried from Christ Episcopal to St Boniface at 11:30 am. Stations of the cross will begin at noon indoors.
· Easter March 31st
PRAYER REQUESTS
· JoAnn Grimm and Joan Boyd are residents of Fieldstone in DeWitt.
· To the Welcher Family as they Mourn the loss of Judy Welcher
· Bev Hermann as she prepares for hip surgery in April.
· 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 We have gathered to worship and listen to what the Spirit reveals within us.
P So Let us know, let us press on to know you, Lord.
L Your going forth is as certain as the dawn.
P You will come to us like the rain, like the spring rains watering the earth.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: Lord in your mercy, forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness. Set us free from that which hinders our trust and obedience, that we may be faithful servants, showing your healing love to others. Forgive us for acting on what we assume is your will, because of an unbalanced understanding of who you are. We seek to live lives that honor you. Through Christ, amen.
HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy #580
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
L. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, the old is gone, a new life has begun. In Christ we are forgiven.
P. Thanks be to God.
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
All. God of loving grace, reveal to us your truth, whether in new understanding or as a fresh reminder of what we know and believe. Inspire us with the knowledge of who you are, that our faith may be refreshed as we continue to know you. Through Christ our Lord, amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord
Psalm 27:1-4
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
John 17:3
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Sermon “The Transcendence of God”
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.
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: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise #263
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.
Amen.
PARTAKING THE BREAD AND CUP
HYMN: How Great Thou Art #467
CHARGE & BLESSING
May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you this day and forever more. Amen.
POSTLUDE
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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