Order of Worship: November 10, 2024
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
If you are visiting today, please complete the card that is in the pew so we can have your information. Also there are copies of our weekly newsletter available at the Welcome Center. If you provide your email address you can receive this newsletter electronically
Sunshiners will be meeting this coming Wednesday for their traditional Thanksgiving meal. There is no cost but please let Carolyn Fetner know if you’ll be attending. We will have Amy Lazic, principal from Oakland Meadow as our special guest speaker.
Thanksgiving bags are available for you to pick up today following worship. These filled bags will be given to clients of the Lawrenceville Co-Op.
Please join us at the Stewardship luncheon next Sunday immediately following worship. You will have an opportunity to visit tables set up by each Session committee to learn more about each of their responsibilities.
Moment for MissionPeter Afutu, Building and Grounds
IntroitPsalm 121
Call to Worship (Psalm 146)
Please rise in body or in spirit for the call to worship. . . .
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
(Say: Let us continue our praise as we sing together Hymn #463)
Hymn 463How Firm a Foundation
(Please be seated.)
Call to Confession Nehemiah 9:17
God is ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Let us turn to God in honesty and humility, ready to confess our sins.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, forgive our systemic sins, the way we build and support and collaborate with oppression. Open our eyes to the injustice of wealth inequality. Open our hearts to righting our societal wrongs. Forgive our excuses, our apathy, our votes cast only for our benefit, or that of our nation’s. Help us follow Christ in prioritizing the poor and vulnerable. Help us build your beloved community where all belong, and all may flourish. Amen.
A Time for Silent Meditation
[please keep silence for 20 – 30 seconds then end by saying:]
All this we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Psalm 34:22)
“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
The peace we receive in Christ is not for us to keep for ourselves. Let us share this peace with those around us by saying:
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
People’s Response45, I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes (Verse 4)
From evil God will keep you safe, provide for all you need.
Your going out, your coming in, God will forever lead.
Prayer for Illumination(adapted from Psalm 19:14)
(If still standing say: Please be seated)
Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. As we approach your Word, may we be ready to receive the message you intend for us today. Amen.
Scripture LessonMark 12:38-44
38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Time with the Young Church
AnthemNearer My God to Thee- arr. Coates
Message
Hymn 708We Give Thee but Thine Own
Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed
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 again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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.
Gloria Patri
Offering
Call to Generosity (Acts 20:35)
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
DoxologyHymn 606
Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, these offerings are only a portion of all that you have given us. We gratefully present these gifts and entrust them to your work in this world. May our gifts share the Good News of the gospel to those who are in need. May these gifts help unburden those with the heaviest of loads. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 346For the Healing of the Nations
The Charge and Benediction
May we leave this house of worship
emboldened by the Spirit
redeemed by God’s Grace and
reminded that the Body of Christ surrounds us
to for fellowship, help and support.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
nourish you, animate you and lead you —
this day and forever more.
Choral Benediction
God be with you till we meet again
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
If you are visiting today, please complete the card that is in the pew so we can have your information. Also there are copies of our weekly newsletter available at the Welcome Center. If you provide your email address you can receive this newsletter electronically
Sunshiners will be meeting this coming Wednesday for their traditional Thanksgiving meal. There is no cost but please let Carolyn Fetner know if you’ll be attending. We will have Amy Lazic, principal from Oakland Meadow as our special guest speaker.
Thanksgiving bags are available for you to pick up today following worship. These filled bags will be given to clients of the Lawrenceville Co-Op.
Please join us at the Stewardship luncheon next Sunday immediately following worship. You will have an opportunity to visit tables set up by each Session committee to learn more about each of their responsibilities.
Moment for MissionPeter Afutu, Building and Grounds
IntroitPsalm 121
Call to Worship (Psalm 146)
Please rise in body or in spirit for the call to worship. . . .
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
(Say: Let us continue our praise as we sing together Hymn #463)
Hymn 463How Firm a Foundation
(Please be seated.)
Call to Confession Nehemiah 9:17
God is ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Let us turn to God in honesty and humility, ready to confess our sins.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, forgive our systemic sins, the way we build and support and collaborate with oppression. Open our eyes to the injustice of wealth inequality. Open our hearts to righting our societal wrongs. Forgive our excuses, our apathy, our votes cast only for our benefit, or that of our nation’s. Help us follow Christ in prioritizing the poor and vulnerable. Help us build your beloved community where all belong, and all may flourish. Amen.
A Time for Silent Meditation
[please keep silence for 20 – 30 seconds then end by saying:]
All this we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Psalm 34:22)
“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
The peace we receive in Christ is not for us to keep for ourselves. Let us share this peace with those around us by saying:
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
People’s Response45, I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes (Verse 4)
From evil God will keep you safe, provide for all you need.
Your going out, your coming in, God will forever lead.
Prayer for Illumination(adapted from Psalm 19:14)
(If still standing say: Please be seated)
Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. As we approach your Word, may we be ready to receive the message you intend for us today. Amen.
Scripture LessonMark 12:38-44
38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Time with the Young Church
AnthemNearer My God to Thee- arr. Coates
Message
Hymn 708We Give Thee but Thine Own
Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed
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 again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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.
Gloria Patri
Offering
Call to Generosity (Acts 20:35)
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
DoxologyHymn 606
Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, these offerings are only a portion of all that you have given us. We gratefully present these gifts and entrust them to your work in this world. May our gifts share the Good News of the gospel to those who are in need. May these gifts help unburden those with the heaviest of loads. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 346For the Healing of the Nations
The Charge and Benediction
May we leave this house of worship
emboldened by the Spirit
redeemed by God’s Grace and
reminded that the Body of Christ surrounds us
to for fellowship, help and support.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
nourish you, animate you and lead you —
this day and forever more.
Choral Benediction
God be with you till we meet again
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude