Webster United Church of Christ – October 24, 2021
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
ORDER OF SERVICE
Welcome
WE INVITE GOD’S PRESENCE INTO OUR HEARTS
Prelude
Centering Music “Sanctuary”
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.
Moment of Silence
*Call to Worship
Leader: Create in us clean hearts, O God.
People: And put your new spirit within us.
Leader: Do not cast us away from your presence,
People: Nor take your Holy Spirit from us.
Leader: Restore to us the joy of your salvation.
People: And sustain in us a willing spirit.
*Hymn of Praise “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” #43, vs. 1, 2 & 4
*Opening Prayer (Unison)
Accepting God, you have chosen the least likely for your special purposes. Show us how you work in unexpected ways to carry out your will for the world that you have made. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
WE PRAYERFULLY ENTRUST OURSELVES TO GOD
Silent Prayer of Confession
Words of Affirmation
You look beyond outward appearance, O God, and see into our very hearts. Move us in the same way to push ourselves past what the surface reveals and probe the depths of ourselves and those around us, that we might bring an authentic witness to your unconditional love. Amen.
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Prayer of Jesus
Congregational Response “Be Still and Know” #743
Be still and know that I am God. (3x)
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Scripture 1 Samuel 16:1-13, *Psalm 51:10-14
Sermon
WE OFFER GRATITUDE TO GOD
Invitation to Give and Share (Unison)
We are blessed to be God’s servants. We ask that God will take all that we offer—our gifts, our time, and dedication—and use them toward God’s greatest purpose.
(The offering won’t be collected today; instead, you may put your offering in the basket at the front of the sanctuary)
Offertory
*Doxology “We Give You but Your Own” #785
We give you but your own, what e’er the gift may be; All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, your saints are a continual reminder that the victory does not always go to the strongest, most popular, or most outwardly beautiful. With your servants of every age, we are in good company, and share in your holy fellowship. Amen.
WE GO FORTH AS GOD’S PEOPLE
*Hymn of Dismissal “Just as I Am,” #207, vs. 1-4
*Benediction
*Blessing Response “God Be with You” #809
God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again. O God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude