Sulphur Grove Church
Traditional Service
GREETING
L: We are a church that's committed to...
C: GROWING DISCIPLES, LIVING AND SHARING GOD’S LOVE.
THE PEACE
L: May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
C: AND ALSO WITH YOU!
PRELUDE | Steeple Bells Handbell Choir
“Just As I Am”
Woodworth, William B. Bradbury, arr. by Kevin McChesney
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Children of God, when we face strife, upset, and harm in our midst, we so often turn to God and ask:
C: How many times should I forgive?
L: When Jesus answers that we should forgive again and again and again, we are tempted to repeat the question:
C: How many times should I forgive?
L: Until God turns the question around: “How many times have I forgiven you?”
C: Seventy times seven.
L: “How many times have I loved you?”
C: Seventy times seven.
L: “How many times has My grace been sufficient for you?”
C: Seventy times seven.
L: Let us learn, then, how to forgive not out of our own power, but out of God’s, who forgives us that we might be free to learn to live with one another well.
C: Let us join together in praise and worship of God who has forgiven us and calls us to forgives others.
HYMN
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" #89
1. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
2. All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
love divine is reigning o'er us,
binding all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.
UNISON PRAYER
Forgiving God, we confess that we struggle to forgive, and we struggle to create space for forgiveness to happen. We rush ourselves to excuse the harmful speech and actions of others as a way of suppressing instead of honestly naming the hurt we have experienced. We expect others to pardon our faults without also attending to our own need to repent. We demand forgiveness from others instead of recognizing forgiveness as a gift we give to one another and that we receive from you. We wield forgiveness as a weapon instead of a bridge that brings us back together. Forgive us, we pray, and free us to joyfully extend mercy, grace, and forgiveness to one another, to set and respect boundaries with one another, and to receive from You the love and wisdom we need to grow as the community of Christ. Please join us now as we have gathered to remember and celebrate the forgiveness You offer all through Jesus, your Son, and our Savior in whose name we pray. Amen.
ANTHEM | Chancel Choir
“Living Lord”
Ken Bible, Tom Fettke
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Breakthrough Prayer:
God whose law is perfect and whose covenant with us is sure, teach
us today as Jesus taught the crowds long ago. We sometimes find ourselves in the midst of conflict… with our neighbors… our family… our friends and even with our Christian brothers and sisters here at Sulphur Grove. May we hear your voice of compassion and sense your healing touch as we long to heal the hurts brought on by disagreements with others. Multiply among us the food of Your Word, that as we are fed, we find the strength and eagerness to pass on Your gifts of grace and reconciliation with a transforming generosity of spirit as we offer and seek forgiveness with others in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass 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.
Response
UNITED WOMEN OF FAITH SPECIAL MISSIONS AWARDS
OFFERTORY | Jennifer Mallas – soloist
“God Will Make a Way”
by Don Moen
"Doxology" #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
CHILDREN'S MOMENT
Matthew 18:21-35 NRSV
MESSAGE | Pastor Barry
The Journey Begins:
How Many Times?
RESPONSE
"I Then Shall Live”
1. I then shall live as one who's been forgiven
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned I'll forgive another
The law of love I gladly will obey
2. I then shall live as one who's learned compassion
I've been so loved that I'll risk loving too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I dare to see another's point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I'll be there to care and follow through
3. Your Kingdom come around and through and in me
Your pow'r and glory let them shine through me
Your hallowed name oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life oh may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me
POSTLUDE | Steeple Bells Handbell Choir
“Shall We Gather At The River”
Robert Lowry, arr. by Margaret Tucker