July 27, 2025
Prelude: Larghetto from Concerto in F
Handel, arr. Lorenz
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 145]
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you.
Let us worship the LORD!
Make a Joyful Noise to God! (Psalm 66)
Morgan/Kocher
Make a joyful noise to God! All creation sings your praise!
Great your wonders here displayed, unexcelled throughout our days.
Glorious is your sacred name, ages old, yet still the same.
Come and see what God has done, great the blessings to the just:
Walked the chosen through the sea, brought their enemies to dust.
Let us lift a thankful voice for God’s mercies, and rejoice!
Bless the Lord, our refuge sure; let our songs of praise be heard!
By whose justice, we are tried; by whose grace, our guilt deferred.
Lord of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Confession
God who extends love, you have created a world full of diverse people, languages, and cultures. We know you today because your word came to us through others, Jew and Gentile and many others down through the ages. Forgive us when we want to keep your blessings to ourselves rather than continuing this expansive movement. Forgive us when we approach those who seem foreign to us with suspicion or blame rather than curiosity. Jesus, transform us and remind us that you came to save, not to condemn. Help us follow you in love and humility. Amen.
Silence
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Faber/NETTLETON
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind;
And the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word;
And our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.
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
Kevin Grieves
Old Testament: Nehemiah 13:23-30
New Testament: John 3:1-17
Christ Is Alive! (Hymn 108)
Williams/Wren
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine,
But saving, healing, here and now, and touching every place and time.
In every insult, rift and war, where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Sermon: For God So Loved the World
John Yoder
Response: They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
Scholtes
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land. (Chorus)
We will work with each other; we will work side by side;
We will work with each other; we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride. (Chorus)
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one. (Chorus)
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
Ruth Seignemartin
This stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you. -Genesis 28:22
Sending: In Christ There Is No East or West (Hymn 440)
African-American spiritual/Oxenham
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north;
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord close-binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: In Christ There Is No East or West
Wood
(Based on the tune McKEE, adapted from an African-American Spiritual by Harry Burleigh, a black composer who wrote down and arranged many spirituals)
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