Opening Prayer

Creating and loving God, gather us into this place. Not just physically, but spiritually. While I may have stopped in this moment to be present, quiet the voices of my head to listen to Your powerful voice. Grant in this time and place that I may find the strength in prayer and community to grow in Your presence. I am your servant ready and willing. Amen

Prayer of Confession

We are always uncomfortable, Watching God, when you notice how we want to sit in the seats of honor. We can be so proper, so good, so well-off, that it is easy to imagine we are superior to the poor. We are so busy completing our ‘To Do’ list each day that we forget to do good when we have the chance. Forgive us, Merciful God. Fill our emptiness with your grace and humility that we would spend our lives alongside Jesus, our Lord and Savior, throwing a party for the poor, the damaged, the prisoner, the lost, the oppressed. Embolden us to live renewed and transformed lives as disciples of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose name we silently pray.

Readings

• Gospel Lesson: Luke 14: 1, 7-14
• Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 2: 4-13

Hymns

• No. 483 – Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
• No. 345 – Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
• No. 421 – The Church of Christ in Every Age

Solo performances by Lorrie Loughney, soprano

Sermon

“The Cream of the Crop” – Rev. Dr. Martha Jordan

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Download the Worship bulletin for Sunday, September 1st