First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
September 29, 2024
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Liturgist
If it had not been for God, who was on our side,
we would have fallen prey to those who want to harm us;
we would have been swept away by sadness and fear.
Blessed be the Lord, our protector!
God has broken the snare that took away our freedom.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be God’s holy name!
HYMN #276 Great is Thy Faithfulness
CALL TO CONFESSION Liturgist
The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up, and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Liturgist
God of unity, we live in a world where our lives move between inclusivity and exclusivity. We often move toward the latter, trying to oust from our circles those who do not think like us, act like us, or look like us. Forgive our need to reject and to always be on the lookout for those things that make us different. Give us the eyes of our Teacher, who knows unconditional love and compassion and sees us all as one, for it is in his name that we pray. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Liturgist
My brothers and my sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Rejoice! You have been brought back by the redemption of God and forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Savior. You can 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
Your Word is our salt; without it, we lose our being, our joy, and our ability to endure. Open our hearts and our minds to listen, to really listen, to your Word today. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 124 (The Message) Liturgist
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 9:38-50 Rev. Brian Copeland
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Avoid Stumbling” Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #369 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
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)
Blessed be the Lord, for God is good, and God’s love endures forever. Our Creator, help us to mirror your goodness through this offering, in the world. Amen.
HYMN #536 Lord, Make Me More Holy
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
Reminders:
Sept. 29 – No Sunday morning Adult Sunday School
Sept. 30 – Doug’s to Go to benefit United Way
Oct. 3 – Adult Bible Study, 6-7 pm, focus Christian Theology
Oct. 6 – Joint worship at Marcellus First Presbyterian, World Communion Sunday, 9:30 am
Help is needed at the Clothes Closet. Tues. 10-1 pm, Thurs. 3-5:30 pm
