eighth Sunday after Pentecost

First Presbyterian Church @ 10:00 AM
Prelude
Chimes of the Hour
Welcome/Announcements
Introit
 
Call to Worship
 
Pastor: We gather in this place in the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who makes ordinary ground a place of encounter and speaks his word to his people.
Congregation: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.
Pastor: God pledges his presence, his protection, and his faithfulness to us, just as he did to Jacob on his journey.
Congregation: We come to worship the God who keeps covenant, who does not abandon his people, whose word stands firm through all generations.
Pastor: Our God is with us.
Congregation: Let us sing our praises to the Lord!
 
Hymn
 
Call to Confession
 
Let us turn now to the God who meets his people where they are, who searches us and knows our hearts, who tests us and knows our thoughts. Let us ask him to reveal whatever keeps us from his way and to lead us in the way everlasting. So let us open our hearts before him as we pray these words together.

Prayer of Confession (in unison)
 
God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You know our thoughts, our weaknesses, our intentions, and our sins. And you love us still. Forgive us when we doubt your nearness, when we question your love, when we forget that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. Remove from us every thought that leads us from you. Break down the walls, root out the pride, and teach us to trust your presence. For you know our hearts, and you love us still; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Kyrie
 
Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.  
 
Assurance of Pardon
 
Pastor: Hear now the good news. If we say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to God, and the night is as bright as the day. The God who met Jacob on his journey and promised never to leave or forsake him has come to us in Jesus Christ, who binds up the brokenhearted, heals our infirmities, and lifts the burden of our sin. So arise, shine; your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
 
Gloria Patri
 
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
 
Passing the Peace
 
Pastor: Christ has given us peace that surpasses all understanding. The peace of Christ be with you!
Congregation: The peace of Christ be with you also!
 
Prayer for Illumination
 
Scripture Lessons
 
Liturgist: Genesis 28:10-19a
 
Liturgist: The word of the Lord!
Congregation: Thanks be to God!
 
Pastor: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
 
Pastor: The gospel of the Lord!
Congregation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
 
Sermon: God and Loneliness
 
Affirmation of Faith
 
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
Hymn
 
Sharing our Joys and Concerns
 
Prayers of the People
 
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. 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
 
Offering/Music
 
Doxology
 
Prayer of Dedication
 
Hymn
 
Benediction
 
Threefold Amen