Watchword for the Week

Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) (Moravian Daily Texts 2016)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and OPENING RESPONSES

In the beginning, before time, before people, before the world began,

God was.

Here and now, among us, beside us, clearer than air, closer than breathing,

God is.

In all that is to come, when we have turned to dust and human knowledge has been completed,

God will be.

Not despairing of earth, but delighting in it;

not condemning the world, but redeeming it;

through Jesus Christ,

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

God was, God is, God will be.

Hymn 112 * God, whose almighty word

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

PRAYER of ADORATION and CONFESSION

Response 1: 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 the Holy 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 easier 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.

ASSURANCE of FORGIVENESS

God forgives us, but not to ease our consciences until we feel penitent again.

God forgives us, so that we may have no defence against his will; and then makes us friends of his purpose and worthy companions of Jesus.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Jeremiah 18:1-11 OT p. 752 (753)

Hymn 619+620 * Spirit of the living God

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

St. Luke 14:25-33 NT p. 99

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 588 Praise the Spirit in creation

(Hymn of the Month, September 2016)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 510 * Jesus calls us here to meet him

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER

Each thing we have received came from you.

Each thing for which we hope will come from you.

Each thing we enjoy is of your giving.

Each thing for which we ask comes from your disposing. Amen.

PRAYERS for OTHERS

In hope, we pray: May it not be long.

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 673 * Let us talents and tongues

COMMUNION PRAYER

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 God thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you… with all who love Jesus and honour his name we praise you, singing the hymn of your everlasting glory:

Hymn 769 * Holy, holy, holy

BREAKING the BREAD

INVITATION and COMMUNION

(Please come forward to share)

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

ANNOUNCEMENTS and DISMISSAL

Hymn 175 * Praise, I will praise you, Lord

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE