First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
July 7, 2024
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist
Jesus Christ, the crucified Lord,
calls us to believe the good news of salvation.
His grace is sufficient for us.
Let us enter into God’s new realm rejoicing,
not in our own strength,
but in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us worship God.
HYMN #482 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
CALL TO CONFESSION Liturgist
Threats to life pierce us
and cause us to doubt God’s love.
But God shows love for us
in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us.
Let us confess our sins and receive new life.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Liturgist
Holy Three, Holy One, triune God,
we confess that we do not believe
that you have overcome sin and death.
We are more in touch with the pangs of our weakness than we are with the power of your love.
In fear, we worship idols;
in despair, we collapse in hopelessness;
in rage, we seek to dominate others.
O God of David, forgive us.
O Son of David, have mercy on us.
O Spirit of the Living God, grant us peace. Send us out with the good news:
nothing can withstand the victory
of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Liturgist
Hear and believe this good news: Jesus, the Christ, son of Mary, Son of the Most High God, was broken and poured out for our salvation.
In Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Savior God, you gave Zion as stronghold for David. By the power of the Holy Spirit, speak to us through Jesus Christ, your living Word, in whose name we pray. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 48 Liturgist
God majestic,
praise abounds in our God-city!
His sacred mountain,
breathtaking in its heights—earth’s joy.
Zion Mountain looms in the North,
city of the world-King.
God in his citadel peaks
undefeatable.
The kings got together,
they united and came.
They took one look and shook their heads,
they scattered and ran away.
They doubled up in pain
like a woman having a baby.
You smashed the ships of Tarshish
with a storm out of the East.
We heard about it, then we saw it
with our eyes—
In God’s city of Angel Armies,
in the city our God
Set on firm foundations,
firm forever.
We pondered your love-in-action, God,
waiting in your temple:
Your name, God, evokes a train
of Hallelujahs wherever
It is spoken, near and far;
your arms are heaped with goodness-in-action.
Be glad, Zion Mountain;
Dance, Judah’s daughters!
He does what he said he’d do!
Circle Zion, take her measure,
count her fortress peaks,
Gaze long at her sloping bulwark,
climb her citadel heights—
Then you can tell the next generation
detail by detail the story of God,
Our God forever,
who guides us till the end of time.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 6:1-13 Rev. Brian Copeland
SERMON “Like Water Off a Duck’s Back” Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #326 Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are on the front and back tables. Offering plates are not passed.)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)
Gracious triune God, we thank you for the suffering love of Jesus Christ, and for your presence with us in times of joy and of sorrow, sickness and health, faithfulness and brokenness. We bring these offerings as signs of our gratitude and as tools in the ministry of the church. Use them and us to make known the good news of your healing love and renewing power, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN #281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
Reminders:
Help needed at the Clothes Closet, Tuesdays 10am-1pm, Thursdays 4-6:30 pm
July 9th – Doug’s to Go to benefit our church, 11 am – 6 pm
July 15th-19th – VBS at our church, 9 am-noon
Aug. 14th – Doug’s to Go here, to benefit WFPC
