Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
September 15, 2024
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Liturgist
Look at the heavens!
They are shouting the glory of God.
The days and the nights declare the magnificence of God’s creative works.
Their voice goes through all the earth and their words reach the ends of the world.
Let our words of praise be acceptable to you.
Our Lord, our rock, our redeemer!
HYMN #302 I Danced in the Morning
CALL TO CONFESSION Liturgist
Let us use our voices to declare those things we have said and done that have separated us from God, and from each other, that we may experience God’s mercy and receive God’s forgiveness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Liturgist
You have called us, O God, and we have refused to listen; you have stretched out your hand and we have not taken it. We have taken what you have given us and used those gifts to hurt others and defy you. We have refused to be tamed by your wisdom. Forgive our inability to recognize you and live out the reality of your gospel.
Give us the insight we need to understand your place in our lives so that our words and actions reflect the glory of God in the lives of others. In the name of the Messiah we pray. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Liturgist
The law of the Lord is perfect, and it revives the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure and make wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, and it enlightens the eyes. Hear the good news! In Jesus Christ, the living Word, we are forgiven. Live in peace!
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord. Be our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING James 3:1-12 Liturgist
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Gospel Mark 8:27-38 Rev. Brian Copeland
27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Blessings and Curses” Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #393 Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
JOYS AND CONCERNS
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)
God of wisdom, may this offering serve as a powerful witness to this world in need. Guide us as we administer the gifts that you have given us for the building of your kingdom. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
HYMN #335 Though I May Speak
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
Reminders:
Sept. 15, 22, and 29 – No Sunday morning Adult Sunday School
Sept. 15 – Committee and Session meetings following worship.
Sept. 19 – Adult Bible Study, 6-7 pm, focus Christian Theology
Sept. 23 – Our turn to volunteer at the food pantry
Oct. 6 – Joint worship at Marcellus First Presbyterian, World Communion Sunday, 9:30 am
