ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(verses from Psalm 99)

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble;

he sits enthroned between the cherubim,

let the earth shake.

Great is the Lord in Zion;

he is exalted over all the nations.

Let them praise your great and awesome

name – he is holy.

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

Samuel among those who called on his name;

they called on the Lord

and he answered them.

He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;

they kept his statutes

and the decrees he gave them.

Lord our God, you answered them;

you were to Israel a forgiving God,

though you punished their misdeeds.

Exalt the Lord our God

and worship at his holy mountain,

for the Lord our God is holy.

Hymn 189 * Be still

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

PRAYER of APPROACH

O God, whose image we bear and whose name

we carry, yours is the world and all it contains.

To you belong our fullest loyalty and love,

the allegiance of our lives.

Help us now and always worthily

to serve you in worship and in our lives.

We confess that, in us, your image is marred

and distorted by our shortcomings. Bring us

closer again to you; make us more like you.

May we unfurl our hands and hold your world.

May we stretch our steps

and walk your path.

May we clear our throats and speak of love.

May our words hold kindness

and be your blessing to others.

May our acts be gentle

and be filled with your grace.

May we live lightly here

and leave your footprints behind.

May we be seen to be like you,

speak with grace about all brokenness,

act with humility in every conflict,

respond with love in every tragedy,

and be the people called

the body of Christ in this world. Amen.

Hymn 577* Christ be beside me

WORDS of ASSURANCE

Hear the Word of Grace: Trust in the Lord,

because his love is constant, and he is always

willing to save. Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may leave for Kids’ Church in the halls next door)

SCRIPTURE READINGS