September 17, 2023
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for a time of fellowship.
· We continue to receive your donations to assist the people of Lahaina, Maui, following the devastating fire. Donations will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Thank you for your generosity.
· Seeking 7 to 8 people who can each donate up to 3 ½ hours per month to host the Gathering Place. Other hostesses from other congregations will also be present. No need to know the games. Your presence for set up, greeting, and fellowship are what is needed. (If this project is to go, we need your help!) Please speak to Pastor Joyce.
· Please save the date for Oct. 1—World Communion Sunday, Fellowship lunch and activity following worship, Passing out the pledge envelopes. Sign up for RSVP at office door
PRAYER REQUESTS
JoAnn Grimm who struggles with health problems.
Joan Pinkston, on hospice.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 23 & John 3
One: Day by day, God leads us:
All: to the deep, deep pools of peace,
to the green, lush lawns of grace.
One: Day by day, Jesus calls us:
All: to pour out ourselves in service,
to anoint the stranger with hope.
One: Day by day, the Holy Spirit shows us:
All: the community we could be,
the family we are called to become.
ALL: As the family of God, let us worship God!
*GATHERING PRAYER
*HYMN O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! (vs 1-4) #533
(You may be seated.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in right paths and lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have been jealous of others that seem to have it all. Forgive us, God, for not following Your ways. Forgive us for not remembering that we are Your sheep, and You are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to Your path, to loving You and loving our neighbors. In the name of Christ our Shepherd we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
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
Open our eyes that we may see, our ears that we may hear, and our hearts and minds that we may understand your precious Word read and proclaimed this day, most Holy God. Amen
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Psalm 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
John 10: 1-16
10 “Very truly I tell you anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
SERMON The Lord is My Shepherd
*HYMN My Shepherd Will Supply My Need #172
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
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.
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, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, we joyfully give to you a token of all of the gifts you so generously give. We ask that you use these offerings, our time and talents and treasures, to be a blessing to those most in need in our church, our community and our world. May our offerings bring glory to you and your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father, Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From there he shall come 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 What a Friend We Have in Jesus #403
(You may be seated.)
Sending Forth
*CHARGE & BLESSING
POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for a time of fellowship.
· We continue to receive your donations to assist the people of Lahaina, Maui, following the devastating fire. Donations will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Thank you for your generosity.
· Seeking 7 to 8 people who can each donate up to 3 ½ hours per month to host the Gathering Place. Other hostesses from other congregations will also be present. No need to know the games. Your presence for set up, greeting, and fellowship are what is needed. (If this project is to go, we need your help!) Please speak to Pastor Joyce.
· Please save the date for Oct. 1—World Communion Sunday, Fellowship lunch and activity following worship, Passing out the pledge envelopes. Sign up for RSVP at office door
PRAYER REQUESTS
JoAnn Grimm who struggles with health problems.
Joan Pinkston, on hospice.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 23 & John 3
One: Day by day, God leads us:
All: to the deep, deep pools of peace,
to the green, lush lawns of grace.
One: Day by day, Jesus calls us:
All: to pour out ourselves in service,
to anoint the stranger with hope.
One: Day by day, the Holy Spirit shows us:
All: the community we could be,
the family we are called to become.
ALL: As the family of God, let us worship God!
*GATHERING PRAYER
*HYMN O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! (vs 1-4) #533
(You may be seated.)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in right paths and lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have been jealous of others that seem to have it all. Forgive us, God, for not following Your ways. Forgive us for not remembering that we are Your sheep, and You are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to Your path, to loving You and loving our neighbors. In the name of Christ our Shepherd we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
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
Open our eyes that we may see, our ears that we may hear, and our hearts and minds that we may understand your precious Word read and proclaimed this day, most Holy God. Amen
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Psalm 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
John 10: 1-16
10 “Very truly I tell you anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
SERMON The Lord is My Shepherd
*HYMN My Shepherd Will Supply My Need #172
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
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.
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, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, we joyfully give to you a token of all of the gifts you so generously give. We ask that you use these offerings, our time and talents and treasures, to be a blessing to those most in need in our church, our community and our world. May our offerings bring glory to you and your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father, Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From there he shall come 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 What a Friend We Have in Jesus #403
(You may be seated.)
Sending Forth
*CHARGE & BLESSING
POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.