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October 24

CCLI license #1913561

Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of the Word for October 24, 2021
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome
Questions for Reflection: In your troubled times do you cry out to the Lord?  Does God answer you?  Do you respond with gratitude, even when God’s answer is not what you wanted?

Prelude:  "Table of Plenty"-Schutte sung by Keisha Prime

Come to the feast of heaven and earth
Come to the table of plenty
God will provide for all that we need
Here at the table of plenty

O come and sit at my table
Where saints and sinners are friends
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
To share the cup of my love

Come to the feast of heaven and earth
Come to the table of plenty
God will provide for all that we need
Here at the table of plenty

O come and eat without money
Come to drink without price
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
With faith and fullness of life

Come to the feast of heaven and earth
Come to the table of plenty
God will provide for all that we need
Here at the table of plenty

My bread will ever sustain you
Through days of sorrow and war
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
To flood the depths of your soul

Come to the feast of heaven and earth
Come to the table of plenty
God will provide for all that we need
Here at the table of plenty

Call to Worship Psalm 107, selected verses

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let those who cry out to the Lord in their trouble give thanks, for he delivers them from their distress.
Thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
Our Lord satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Praise the Lord!

Opening Prayer  
O God, light of the hearts that see you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you; to turn from you is to fall, to turn to you is to rise, to abide in you is to stand fast forever.  Grant us your grace and blessing for the sake of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.  Amen.

Opening Hymn  “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”            TPH # 288

Call to Confession

The proof of God’s amazing love is this; while were sinners Christ died for us.  Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence.  In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong.  We have lived for ourselves, and apart from you.  We have turned from our neighbors, and refused to bear the burdens of others.  We have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed.  In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from our selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news!
Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.  The old life has gone; a new life has begun.  Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.  Amen.

Prayer for Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds to hear your word read and reflected upon.  Help us to respond as we leave here and go out into our daily lives.  May your love and presence be evident as we serve the community and world in your name. Amen.

Readings from the Hebrew Scriptures: Joshua 3:7-13, 17; Psalm 107: 1-9

Hymn (please remain seated) “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” TPH # 367

Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 23: 1-12

Sermon:   “Do We Believe This ?”     The Rev. Bill Cooley

Affirmation of Faith From: A Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba Father.  In sovereign love, God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. 

But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator.  Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. 

Yet, God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation.  Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant.  Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.  In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical)
  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
  Give us today our daily bread.
  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
  Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.  Amen.

Statement about Offering our Gifts 
Remember the words of our Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

      Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S,  St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website  lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org

Special Music " Be Unto Your Name"-Shazo sung by Keisha Prime

We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the Ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on high
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name, be unto Your name
We are the broken, You are the healer
Jesus, Redeemer, Mighty to save
You are the love song we'll sing forever
Bowing before You, blessing Your name
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name, be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name, be unto Your name

Prayer of Dedication
Blessed are you, God of all creation; through your goodness we have these gifts to share.  Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom.
Amen.

*Hymn   “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”       TPH # 369

Announcements

Charge/Benediction

Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no one evil for evil; strengthen  the fainthearted; support the weak, and help the suffering; honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
 Alleluia!

Postlude “Never Let Go”            Redman