Prelude: “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 1)
We are drawn together to rejoice and praise Your holy name today, O Lord,
Because when our eyes are fixed on you, alone, you preserve us from destructive paths.
We give thanks to you because Your living word gives us hope,
And we seek to know your word with more intimacy.
You are the Source of deep seated faith,
And our spirits are refreshed as we seek to dwell in your presence!
HYMN “Have Thine Own Way, Lord!”
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power - all power - surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always living in me!
Call To Confession / Prayer of Confession
Blessed are those who turn away from the counsel of the wicked. But oh, that counsel can be so seductive – it draws us in, holds us fast, distracts our priorities, obstructs our capacity to love.
But we seek no obstructions, we reject wicked counsel. We embrace God’s embrace. For whatever ways we don’t, we confess. In whichever ways we sin, we repent. Hear our prayers, O God, as, before you, we seek wholeness.
God of mercy, grace, reconciliation and goodness:
We are sorry for so much—
for words we cannot bear to say
for memories we cannot bear to relive
for thoughts we cannot bear to admit.
But you know our hearts.
Relieve us of our burdens,
Bind our hearts not to the unbearable but rather, to you
so that, in all ways, we may live in the joy of your salvation
and the delight of your loving embrace.
(Silence)
Assurance of Pardon
Blessed are we, holy people, when we walk in the ways of our God.
Blessed are we, beloved ones, as we receive God’s forgiveness.
Blessed are we, God’s beloved, because we are made whole, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Psalm 1
1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Matthew 22:34-40
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Sermon: “Where Do The Faithful Stand?” Rev. John Ruehl
Affirmation of Faith: The 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.
Pastoral Prayer / Prayers of the People
Lauren
Alex & Michael
Mary
Richie & Thelma
Shirley
Betty
Jim & Carolyn
Marette
Nicole
Gary
Carolyn
Betsy & Family
Our Session, as they discern God’s Will for the future of our church
Our Church Family, the PCUSA church, and God’s church worldwide
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 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.
Invitation to Offering
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Romans 12:1
The offering plate is located in the sanctuary entryway.
Secure online giving: http://rhpchurch.com/give
Mail your tithes and offerings to
Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church
12965 GA Highway 144
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Prayer of Dedication
God our Father, you have satisfied our hunger for love by giving us your Son Jesus Christ. Following his example, let us send no one away empty, exclude no one, classify no one, build no walls around ourselves or others. Let our happiness not be complete as long as our brothers and sisters suffer. Help us to take all the risks of love, for it is not so much our love we want to give but yours, which became visible in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story”
I will sing the wondrous story Of the Christ who died for me -
How He left His home in glory For the cross of Calvary.
Refrain:
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory, Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me – Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me, Drew me back into His way. [Refrain]
Days of darkness still come o'er me, Sorrow's paths I often tread;
But the Savior still is with me – By His hand I'm safely led. [Refrain]
He will keep me till the river Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He'll bear me safely over, Where the loved ones I shall meet. [Refrain]
Benediction