Watchword for the Week

Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear

him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

(Psalm 85:9)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2015)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Verses from Psalm 24)

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in!

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in!

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory!

Hymn 160 * Praise my soul the King

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

Because you made the world,

and intended it to be a good place,

and called its people your children;

because, when things seemed at their worst,

you came in Christ to bring out the best in us;

so, gracious God, we gladly say:

Goodness is stronger than evil,

love is stronger than hate,

light is stronger than darkness,

truth is stronger than lies.

Because confusion can reign inside us,

despite our faith,

because anger, tension, bitterness, and envy

distort our vision,

because our minds sometimes worry

small things out of proportion,

because we do not always get it right,

we want to believe:

Goodness is stronger than evil,

love is stronger than hate,

light is stronger than darkness,

truth is stronger than lies.

Because you have promised to hear us,

and are able to change us,

and are willing to make our hearts your home,

we ask you to confront, control,

forgive and encourage us, as you know best.

Then let us cherish in our hearts

that which we proclaim with our lips:

Goodness is stronger than evil,

love is stronger than hate,

light is stronger than darkness,

truth is stronger than lies.

Lord, hear our prayer,

and change our lives

until we live out the grace of You,

who makes all things new. Amen.

ASSURANCE of PARDON

How we long to hang on to the past!

We get all tied up remembering,

keeping count, bearing grudges.

God doesn’t. Your past is accepted.

Let it go. Live in the freedom God gives

to you each day. Thanks be to God. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

Thank you, Lord, for giving us life, (3x)

right where we are!

Halleluia, praise the Lord, (3x)

right where we are!

Thank you, Lord for giving us 1.__2.__3.__(3x)

right where we are!

Halleluia, praise the Lord, (3x) right where we are!

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may go to Kids’ Church in the halls next door)

Song * Lord of the dance

(Robert Jakeman – guitar and tambourine)

Refrain: (congregation)

Dance, then, wherever you may be,

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,

and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

SCRIPTURE READINGS