October 12, 2025
Prelude
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 98]
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Let us worship the LORD!
Sing a New Song to the Lord (Psalm 98)
Dudley-Smith/Wilson
Sing a new song to the Lord, he to whom wonders belong!
Rejoice in his triumph and tell of his power–
O sing to the Lord a new song!
Now to the ends of the earth see his salvation is shown!
And still he remembers his mercy and truth,
Unchanging in love to his own.
Sing a new song and rejoice, publish his praises abroad!
Let voices in chorus, with trumpet and horn,
Resound for the joy of the Lord!
Join with the hills and the sea thunders of praise to prolong!
In judgment and justice he comes to the earth–
O sing to the Lord a new song!
Confession
God of love, you have commanded us to abide in your love. We confess our failures to love you, to love our neighbors, and even to love ourselves. Forgive us when we forget our source of life and hope, or take for granted our being and future. Teach us to abide in your love, that we may know the joy of living as your friends, and that we may bear good fruit in a world hungry for love, justice, and mercy. Amen.
Silence
O Jesus, I Have Promised (Hymn 389)
Bode/Finnish folk melody
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
Wren/Geistliche Kirchengesang
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one. O praise God, Alleluia!
O praise God, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Lemm
Old Testament: Psalm 98
New Testament: John 15:9-17
What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Hymn 403)
Scriven/Converse
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged: take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Sermon: God’s Initiative
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Typically, we are blind to countless evidence of God’s grace; by nature, we are so dull and rebellious of heart that we take for granted our creation, preservation, and salvation as entitlements (cf. Ps 103:2; Isa 40:21; Rom 1:21). In the biblical tradition it is different: “believers do not look at the universe and its fate from the angle of their personal interests but rather contemplate it as it appears in the light of God’s will.” —Clifton Black, quoting Otto Piper
Response: Arie
Handel
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
Ann Hall
Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.
-Proverbs 3:9
Sending: Help Us Accept Each Other (Hymn 358)
Kaan/Potter
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Teach us, O Lord, Your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them or as they may become.
Let Your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice Your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.
Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:
Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
Charge & Benediction
Postlude
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