Big Spring Presbyterian Church
25 S. Corporation Street
Newville, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton, Pastor
Rev. William C. Beck, Pastor Emeritus
Avis Allen, Organist
Phone: 717-776-5820
Website: bspresby.com
E-mail: churchoffice@bspresby.com
“The mission of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church is to know Christ and to make Him Known.”
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ORDER OF WORSHIP
October 13, 2024
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY after PENTECOST
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* indicates stand, if able; Bold indicates ALL read; use blue hymnal unless otherwise indicated
PREPARATION
I do not know anyone who likes to fall. But, on the other hand, this reluctance signals mistrust of the central truth of the Christian gospel: life springs from death, not only at the last but also in the many little deaths along the way. When everything you count on for protection has failed, the Divine Presence does not fail. The hands are still there - not promising to rescue, not promising to intervene - promising only to hold you no matter how far you fall. Ironically, those who try hardest not to fall learn later they are the ones who topple more easily. The ones who find their lives are the losers, while the winners come in last. – Barbara Brown Taylor
THE CHURCH GATHERS TO CELEBRATE
INTROIT BUNESSAN (Callahan)
~ GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ~
PRELUDE Prelude on Waly, Waly (Hann)
* CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
We gather in this community of worship, because…
We yearn for the rhythms of God’s love.
We gather in this sacred place…
Bringing with us all that is imperfect and flawed.
We lift up our hearts to praise our God…
For whom to love is hope and to follow is life.
Alleluia! Amen!
* HYMN #411 -- "Arise, Your Light Has Come!"
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being, You have made us for Yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in You. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose, so nothing will hinder us from knowing Your will, no weakness can keep us from seeking Your way, no darkness able to hide Your light. Then, in Your service, let us find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(silent confession . . . )
CELEBRATION OF GRACE (unison)
Farther than the east is from the west and
farther than the north is from the south,
Even farther has God taken our sins away from us.
Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
MORNING PRAYER AND 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.
* HYMN #335 -- "Though I May Speak"
THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Ruth 1 (selected) (p. 411, pew Bible)
Mark 12 (selected) (p. 1574, pew Bible)
(This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!)
SERMON "The Currency of Faith" Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from The Scots Confession, 1560)
We believe after humanity’s departure from obedience, God sought Adam and Eve again and called upon them to rebuke and convict them of their sin, and in the end made a joyful promise. God would destroy the works of the devil. This promise was repeated and made clearer from time to time. It was embraced with joy and received by all the faithful from Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to David, and so onwards to the incarnation of Christ Jesus. All those believers will rejoice in Christ Jesus.
THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO GOD'S WORD
OFFERING
Offertory Jesus, Savior, Blessed Friend (Govenor)
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE CHURCH GOES OUT TO LOVE & SERVE
* HYMN #223 "O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer"
* CHARGE & BENEDICTION
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #540 (vs. 1) - "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
“God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.”
POSTLUDE Bouree in F Major (Telemann)
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Welcome Visitors!
We are glad you are here. If you do not have a church home, please talk with the pastor,
as we would receive you with open arms.
Today, please remain for "Second Sunday" fellowship -- a time of conversation and light refreshments.
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NEXT SUNDAY (Oct. 20th; 22nd Sunday after Pentecost)
9:15 AM: Sunday school (Adult class studying the Confessional Banners displayed in the sanctuary.)
10:30 AM: Worship; Sermon, "Greatest?" (Mark 10:35-45)
