Watchword for the Week

If we live by the Spirit, let us also be

guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2016)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

God’s way is holy.

God works wonders.

God has led the people in the past,

and calls us into the future.

As we listen for the voice of change,

may we be guided by the Spirit.

Through the Spirit

let us hear God’s call among us.

God is with us,

guiding us in this time and place.

Come let us worship.

Hymn 157 * Sing of the Lord’s goodness

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

Holy and gracious God,

we live in a world of wonder,

conceived by your divine imagination.

The universe is your creation,

born out of love and generosity.

Hallowed be your name.

Hallowed be your name.

Through centuries of thought and searching,

through law and wisdom, insight and experience,

your will and purpose were gradually glimpsed

until, in Jesus, all that was hidden was revealed,

and you let earth be touched by heaven.

Hallowed be your name.

Hallowed be your name.

In the beauty of the earth,

in the silence of our hearts,

in the community of your church,

in all works of grace and kindness,

in forgiving from the heart

and in worship from the soul,

your Spirit confirms the truth by which we live.

Hallowed be your name.

Hallowed be your name.

If, knowing this,

we have failed to love you, our Maker,

been hesitant to follow your Son,

and suspected the power of your Spirit,

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

If we have desired comfort more than devotion,

if we have satisfied our wants

more than we have served your will,

if we have worshipped a lesser god

and gone for an easy gospel,

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

If, in the face of your openness,

we have privatised our wealth,

limited our company to those like us,

restricted our conversation

to matters of no consequence,

and in all this compromised our integrity

and lost faith in our faith,

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Hymn 776 * Kyrie eleison

Forgive us, O God,

but not to ease our consciences

until we feel penitent again.

Forgive us, so that we may have no defence

against your will; and then make us friends of

your purpose and worthy companions of Jesus,

in whose name we pray. Amen.

WORDS of ASSURANCE

For freedom, Christ has set you free.

You are set free, sisters and brothers,

to love your neighbour as yourself.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 OT p. 363 (361)

St. Luke 9:51-62 NT p. 90

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 360 * Jesus Christ is waiting

SERMON Rev. Birgit Weinbrenner

(Director of Studies, Ev. Akademie, Villigst)

Hymn 502 * Take my life and let it be

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER

Eternal God,

your Son Jesus Christ was rich,

yet for our sake he became poor, that we,

through his poverty, might become rich.

Accept the gifts, which we offer,

as symbols of our love

and of our lives dedicated to your service.

We ask it for his sake. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS for OTHERS

We ask in Jesus’ name:

give us grace to discern your answer.

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

trespasses, as we forgive those who

trespass against us. And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine

is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 468 Son of God, eternal Saviour

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE