As the prelude begins, one of the oldest traditions of worship has begun –
the gift of music to our God and a time of preparation for all worshipers.
Please use this time to prepare your heart and mind to be centered in God’s presence.


PRELUDE: Prelude and Fugue in E Minor/ J S Bach

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT: I’ll Fly Away /Traditional

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: May all lands be joyful before you, O God, serve you with gladness and come before your presence with a song.
ALL: For we know that you are God; you yourself have made us, and we are yours; we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
One: We shall enter your gates with thanksgiving, go into your courts with praise, give thanks to you and call upon your Name.
ALL: For you are good; your mercy is everlasting, and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

* HYMN OF GATHERING Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: Let us pray…
Eternal God, whose Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, we recognize and confess that we have failed to respond fully to your gracious presence in our lives. Through Jesus Christ you have offered us new life, fulfillment, and the freedom to serve you. We confess that the wrong we do is made worse by the good we leave undone. Reconcile us to you and to all people, God of mercy, forgive us and strengthen us for life as you intend it; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

COMMISSIONING OF NEW ORLEANS MISSION MEMBERS

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF PEACE (Prepared by the ONA Committee)

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Choral Response

Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!
My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, God.

SCRIPTURE Luke 8:16-21

SERMON Come to Light/ Revs. Kent Allen and Martha Hoverson

OFFERING
Offertory Anthem Lay Me Low arr. Kevin Siegfried
* Doxology (tune: NCH #780)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* Prayer of Dedication

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*COMMUNION HYMN Here, O My Lord

INVITATION

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to God.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: Let us pray…

Sanctus (Spoken in unison)
Holy, holy, holy,
God of love and majesty,
The whole universe speaks of your glory,
O God Most High.

OUR 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, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS
This morning we will be celebrating Communion by intinction. Please come forward to receive a piece of bread dipped in the cup. We eat the bread as we receive it. Communion can be served at your seat if you prefer. Gluten free wafers are available. Please indicate your preference when you come forward.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

* HYMN OF PARTING Blest Be the Tie that Binds

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Benediction/ arr. Kevin Siegfried

ORGAN POSTLUDE: Toccata In E Minor/Johann Pachelbel
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* Those who are able, please stand.
* This morning's ushers are Team D: Bob and Betty MacPherson, Barbara Penley and Charlie Tibbetts.
* The Deacons today are Marilyn Strong-Townsend and Jack Gilman.
* We thank Jane and Jimmy Pate for serving as our greeters this morning.
* The acolytes this morning are Jordan Glassock and Maddy Whittemore.
* The flowers this morning are given in memory of Dora Tibbetts by her son, Charlie Tibbetts.