July 20, 2025
Prelude: Holy God, We Praise Your Name
GROSSER GOTT/Burkhardt
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Song of Solomon 2, Psalm 45]
Look to the mountains; look to the hills! Love comes to us with joy!
The summer of God’s love is with us. Let the oil of gladness anoint your souls.
Arise and sing for joy! A love that never ceases,
A creativity that designed the universe, A hope that cannot be quenched,
A pursuit of reconciliation no matter the cost: These are the things that are of God,
Then let us worship the Lord!
Holy God, We Praise Your Name (Hymn 460)
Allgemeines Katholisches Gesanbuch/attr. Franz
Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all, we bow before you;
All on earth your scepter claim, all in heaven above adore you.
Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign.
Hark, the glad celestial hymn angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord.
Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit: Three we name You,
While in essence only One; undivided God we claim You,
And adoring bend the knee while we own the mystery.
Confession
God of justice, over the course of our lives we are all tempted to seek various kinds of power, control, or mastery. Too often we forget the power of our words. What we say can bless and help sustain the weary, or it can damage our relationships. Forgive us for the times we have used words to wound, not to build up. We have seen leaders who serve, and leaders who oppress and exploit. Knowing that you care for the vulnerable, help us hold our leaders accountable and follow your example to lift others up with humility, truth, and kindness. Amen.
Silence
Take, O Take Me As I Am
Bell
Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart and live in me.
(repeat)
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 Readings
Nadia Grieves
Old Testament: Psalm 45
New Testament: Hebrews 1:5-13
Solo: For the Honor of Our King (Ps. 45)
Leckebusch/GOTT SEI DANK
Carollen Ryan, soprano; Jill Cathey, oboe
Sermon: From Articulation to Transformation
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Over time, God transforms our desire to control and exert power over others into a spiritual will to use power for the benefit of others, especially for the undeserving and the "least of these."
Response: When I Had Not Yet Learned of Jesus
Chung/EVENTIDE
When I had not yet learned of Jesus Christ,
When I refused to listen to God’s call,
I was defiant then, till God broke through;
Now by God’s grace Christ is my all in all.
Whatever talent God has given me
I pledge to use in service and in love.
Joined with my God to lift my neighbor’s load,
New strength and hope are given from above.
To be God’s servant in this earthly life,
No matter if the task is great or small,
This is my charge: to witness faithfully,
Strengthened by Christ who is my all in all.
Pastoral Prayer & 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
The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity. -Ecclesiastes 5:10
Sending: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (Hymn 343)
Zundel/Huber
Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment, fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, all God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together, gracious gifts from God unfold.
So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Holy God, We Praise Your Name
GROSSER GOTT/Busarow
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
