As you arrive in worship and find a place in a pew, please use prayer to center your thoughts and spirit. As the Prelude begins, quiet your voice and soul. With music and prayer let us move from ‘getting to church’ to ‘being the church’ as we worship together.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, settle our hearts and our minds and lift from us our burdens. Hear our prayers for our family, our friends, our world, and for ourselves. Enable us on this day to put away the things that hurt and hinder, and accept anew the things that help all people of faith. Be with us in your love that we may be your children, at one with all those who hear your voice and who follow in your way. Renew us with life that is full of joy, assured by the presence of a Savior who knows our lot and cares for us always, for Christ is our help and our hope, and in his name, we pray. Amen.
Readings
- First Lesson: John 3: 16 NRSV
- Second Lesson: Acts 2: 43-47 NRSV
Hymns
- No. 262 – God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand
- No. 386 – O for a World
- No. 564 – O Beautiful for Spacious Skies
Solo performances by Patrick Fisk
Sermon
“The Heart of Faith—Not Rules, but Relationships” – Rev. Scott G. Loomer