Service for the Lord's Day

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Gathering and Centering Ourselves for Worship



Prelude

Mache dich, mein Herze, rein BWV 244/65 - J. S. Bach

Paul Davidson, bass

Welcome

Call to Worship

One:

We are branches, rooted in the vine of Christ.

Many:

We come because we seek to abide in Christ.

One:

The branches that remain 0n the vine bear much fruit.

Many:

We come because we long to be spiritually vibrant and productive.

One:

We gather for worship now to the glory of the One God

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.

Many:

May we grow wildly as God tends us lovingly. 

Hymn

Be Thou My Vision

SLANE

Prayer of the Day

(in unison)



God of love, plant us in the soil of your grace. Nurture us with the strength of Christ, the vine of everlasting life. Enlighten us with the wisdom of your Spirit, which flows through us today and all days. Abide in us, that we may abide in you and live in your love. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Assurance Response

Day of Delight

IN DIR IST FREUDE

Passing of the Peace & Announcements

Minute for Mission

Larry Williams

Proclaiming the Word

A Reading from the Gospels

John 15:1-8

The Word of the Lord | Thanks be to God

Anthem

Christ, the Vine - Robert J. Powell

The Southminster Choir

Christ, the vine, and God, the gardener, we, the branches bearing fruit. We can bring forth shoots of promise when our lives in Christ take root. Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing, you fulfilled the prophet’s trust. And you pray that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us. Christ, may we submit to pruning that we bear more grapes for wine. Help us, when we’re overburdened, draw new strength from you, the vine. You invite us to be partners, growing Spirit’s fruit anew. Keep us one in love together: you in us, and we in you!

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 16:9-15

The Word of the Lord | Thanks be to God

Sermon

Planting Sequoias

Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton

Our Response to the Word

Affirmation of Faith

from The Brief Statement of Faith

(in unison)

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in one body of Christ, the Church.

Hymn

Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether

UNION SEMINARY

The Presentation of Our Gifts

(in unison)

Generous God, we offer you the fruits of our time, talents, and resources in celebration of all that we have been given. We give you thanks for all that we have and ask a special blessing on the fruits we have given back to help meet the needs of your beloved community. May the gifts we offer nourish and strengthen this community in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Offertory

Ich folge Christo nach BWV 12/5 – J. S. Bach

Paul Davidson, bass

Offertory Response

Doxology

LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Invitation to the Lord's Table

THE LORD'S SUPPER

As a sign of our unity in Christ, let us hold the cup

until all have been served and partake together.

The Great Thanksgiving

One:

The Lord be with you.

Many:

And also with you.

One:

Lift up your hearts.

Many:

We lift them up to the Lord.

One:

Let us give our thanks to the Lord our God.

Many:

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

(in unison)

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 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, forever. Amen.

The Breaking of Bread

Musical Offering

Komm, sußes Kreuz, so will ich sagen BWV 244/57 - J. S. Bach

Paul Davidson, bass

The Prayer after Communion

(in unison)

Almighty God, you provide the true bread from heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Be with us, who have received this sacrament of life, that we may abide in him and he in us. May we be filled with the power of his grace and love, that we may leave a lasting impression of our faith. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Going Forth into the World to Live the Gospel

Hymn

As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought

FOREST GREEN

Benediction & Response

Alleluia

ALLELUIA No. 7 (TAIZÉ)

Postlude

Allegro maestoso – Flor Peeters

The flowers for today's worship service are given by Lynn Tolson

to the glory of God in memory of her father, Joe Kimmel,

on the occasion of his birthday.

Julie Miguel, liturgist

Bryan Johnson & Rick Newkirk, audio/visual

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF



Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton, Pastor (Transitional)

Joshua G. Hearn, Director of Music Ministry

Paula Kane, Church Administrator

Resources for this service include:

Joanna Harader, on Spacious Faith; The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012; Worship Ways, The United Church of Christ.



Alleluia | Tune: Jacques Berthier, © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought | Text: Frank von Chritierson, © 1989 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

Day of Delight | Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

Doxology | Text: Brian Wren, © 1989 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether | Text: Percy Dearmer; Tune: Harold Friedell, © 1931 Oxford University Press; 1957 Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.