August 17, 2025
Prelude: Eternal Father, Strong to Save
Dykes/setting by Fedak
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 107]
Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters;
they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
Their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered...
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress;
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
Let us worship the LORD!
We Praise You, O God
Cory/Neder-landtsch Gedenck-Clanck
We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
We bless your holy name; glad praises we sing.
We worship you, God of our fathers and mothers;
Through trial and tempest our guide you have been.
When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us,
And with your help, O Lord, our struggles we win.
With voices united our praises we offer
And gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us.
To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!
Confession
Merciful God, when facing the storms of life, we are afraid. We have seen how easily forces beyond our control can overpower us. In the midst of a storm, the disciples wondered how Jesus could be so calm, even oblivious. Forgive us when we doubt your care for us in the midst of difficulties. We are vulnerable, but you have not abandoned us. Forgive us when we allow our fears to cause divisions between us and other people, rather than reminding us of our common humanity. Let your perfect love drive out fear. Amen.
Silence
Give Thanks
Smith
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, “We are strong,”
Let the poor say, “We are rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks. Give thanks. Give thanks.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1, 23-32
Jay Stafstrom
Solo: Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries (Psalm 107)
MORNING SONG/Duck
Give thanks to God who hears our cries and saves in troubled days
With wondrous works to humankind that call for highest praise.
Let all who know God’s saving love sing grateful songs always.
If you have felt your courage fail before a violent sea
And cried to God, who stilled the storm, and made the wild wind flee,
Then in the congregation praise the One who heard your plea.
So praise the One whose love is great, whose kindness is well-known.
Consider well the healing hand and help you have been shown,
And tell the world what God has done. Praise God and God alone!
Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41
Jay Stafstrom
Sermon: A Blanket of Grace
Rev. John Owen
Response: Response: Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Hymn 562)
Dykes/Whiting
Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm has bound the restless wave,
Who bade the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word the wind and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage did sleep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.
Eternal Father, Lord of hosts, watch o'er all those who guard our coasts.
Protect them from the raging seas, and grant them light, and life, and peace.
Grant them from Thy great throne above, the shield and shelter of Thy love.
Prayers of the People & 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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Ann Hall
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
Sending: How Firm a Foundation (Hymn 361)
American folk melody
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Now Thank We All Our God
Crüger/Bach, arr. Held
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