May 11, 2025
Prelude: All My Hope on God is Founded
Howells/Burkhardt
Introit: God, Our Help and Constant Refuge
(Text from Psalm 46, Hymn #192)
Anderson/Howells
Lisa Phillips
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 97]
The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
The Lord guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Let us worship the LORD!
Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above (Hymn 483)
Schütz/Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchengesang
Sing praise to God, who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul is filled, and every faithless murmur stilled;
To God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power hath made, God’s gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade God’s watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of God’s might, Lo! All is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!
Thus all my gladsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body take your part:
To God all praise and glory!
Confession
God who calls us to forgiveness, there are many conflicts in our nation and world that need your work of reconciliation. Whenever we are discouraged by the persistence of war and strife, reveal again to us your triumph over the destructive powers of oppression. When we find oppression and injustice at work in the politics of our own nation, teach us how to resist. Forgive us when we align ourselves too closely with a nation or political party and conflate their plans with yours. May our loyalty be to you above all. Give us eyes to see clearly through the chaos, and courage to practice peacemaking. Amen.
Silence
Just As I Am (Hymn 370)
Bradbury/Elliott
Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
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.
O Lord of Every Shining Constellation (Hymn 297)
Copes/Bayly
O Lord of every shining constellation
That wheels in splendor through the midnight sky,
Grant us Your Spirit’s true illumination
To read the secrets of Your work on high.
You, Lord have made the atom’s hidden forces,
Your laws its mighty energies fulfill;
Teach us to whom You give such rich resources,
In all we use, to serve Your holy will.
You, Lord, have stamped Your image on Your creatures,
And though they mar that image, love them still;
Lift up our eyes to Christ, that in His features
We may discern the beauty of Your will.
Prayer for Illumination
Creed
God’s reconciliation in Jesus Christ is the ground of peace, justice, and freedom among nations, which all powers of the government are called to serve and defend. The church, in its own life, is called to practice the forgiveness of enemies and to commend to the nations as practical politics the search for cooperation and peace. This search requires that the nations pursue fresh and responsible relations across every line of conflict, even at risk to national security, to reduce areas of strife and to broaden international understanding. Reconciliation among nations becomes peculiarly urgent as countries develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, diverting human power and resources from constructive uses and risking the annihilation of humankind. Although nations may serve God’s purposes in history, the church that identifies the sovereignty of any one nation or any one way of life with the cause of God denies the Lordship of Christ and betrays its calling.
Scripture Readings
Kevin Grieves
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:5
New Testament: Acts 10:34-35
Sermon: Mothering Peace
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” ― Karl Barth
Response: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Dvorak
Karen Bart, cello
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
For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. -Hebrews 6:10
Sending: We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom
Moore/Hopson
We wait the peaceful kingdom, when wolf and lamb shall lie
In gentleness and friendship without a fear or sigh,
When lion shall be grazing, when snake shall never strike;
A little child shall lead us both strong and weak alike.
Where is the peaceful kingdom? When will this new day start?
We long for peace and comfort to reign within each heart.
Yet not in our lives only, nor simply in our home:
We pray that all creation will one day find shalom.
When wars of desolation and hate come to an end,
When nation meets with nation and calls the other “friend,”
Still peace in all its fullness will only have begun:
Shalom for all creation begins with justice done.
That little child shall lead us to walk the chosen way,
To share the peaceful kingdom, to greet God’s newborn day.
The child born in a stable is sent to break our chains,
To bring through word and table the day when justice reigns.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Luther/Marpurg
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