Prelude
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
Welcome and Call to Worship
We gather to worship God,
Who creates us and loves us;
Who gifts us with diversity and makes us for community;
Who gives Jesus Christ to show us how to live;
Who inspires children, youth, young adults, and people of all ages,
To seek justice, share power,
and live together in love and equality;
Who invites us to join the struggle for wholeness and wellbeing for all,
and whose presence, grace, and love
sustain us in our living.
We gather to worship God.
To God be all glory, honor, and praise!
Opening Hymn No. 137
He Came Down
Call to Confession
God looks at us, to see if we are wise enough
to offer confession, to receive forgiveness,
to seek to know the healing love of Christ.
Let us prove our wisdom, and set aside our
foolish pride, as we pray together,
First in a time of silent, personal prayer.
Prayer of Confession (unison)
Wisdom's Heart: deep within, we know how we
have failed to be your people. Our hardened hearts
are closed to the love of Christ; our lust for more
and more blocks the fullness of your grace from
transforming our lives; our trust in the powers of
the world reveals our foolish nature.
Have mercy, God of every generation. Pour out
the rich blessing of forgiveness on our parched
souls. Feed us with Heaven's Bread, so we might
be nourished by your gentleness. Shape us as
your people, and restore us to faithful living,
as we seek to follow our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, in service to everyone we meet. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
The wideness of God's mercy, the range of
God's forgiveness, the infinite love of God,
the Heart of hope which is never empty: all
these gifts are ours, as God restores us to
the fullness of life meant for us.
Grounded in love, rooted in discipleship,
we offer ourselves in service to others,
recognizing the limitless grace which
is ours to share in Christ. Thanks be to
God! Amen.
Sung Response No. 842
The Lord Is My Light Jacques Berthier
Peace of Christ and Common Life
Scripture Reading - Ephesians 3:14-21
Sermon
Fragments Rev. Barbara Wilson
Responsive Hymn No. 451
Open My Eyes, That I May See
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Call for Offering
You are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us - to receive the promised Holy Spirit and the invitation to walk in newness of life. May we respond this morning with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we offer four ways to make your offering: use our church website, our smartphone app, text the word “Wilmette” to the number 77977, or send a check by mail to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Congregational Response - The Doxology (OLD HUNDREDTH - Hymn 606)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Great God of Heaven and Earth,
you call us to leave behind our preoccupations
and to follow you into the future.
Sometimes we find your call challenging.
We are comfortable, maybe even complacent, in our present.
May this act of giving be a gesture of our willingness
to follow where you lead.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Sending Hymn
Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Partita No. 6 in e minor (Toccata) J.S. Bach
Worship Leaders:
Rev. Laura Sherwood, pastoral liturgist
Rev. Barbara Wilson, preaching
Rick and Diane Baer, liturgists
Cecilia Chow, postlude
Sources
Confession Call and Prayer, Assurance of Forgiveness ~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies.
