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
July 28, 2024
TENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
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* indicates stand, if able; Bold indicates ALL read; use blue hymnal unless otherwise indicated
PREPARATION (read silently...)
Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally impatient in everything, wanting to reach the end without delay. We would like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new, and yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability... And it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you - your ideas mature gradually. Let them grow. Let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don't try to force them on as though you could be today what time, acting on your own good will, will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit, gradually forming within you, will be. Give our Lord the benefit of believing that God's hand is leading you and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. -- Teilhard de Chardin
THE CHURCH GATHERS TO CELEBRATE
INTROIT Sanctuary (Thompson/Scruggs)
~ GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ~
PRELUDE Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound! (Virginia Harmony, 1831 / arr. Jordan)
* CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
Forgetting what is behind,
and straining toward what is ahead,
we press on towards being even more faithful.
Let us find ourselves further along tomorrow
than where we find ourselves today.
To God be the glory!
* HYMN #485 -- "To God Be the Glory"
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
O Holy God, make us holy as You are holy. Let us hear and accept the truth: Christ died to save us, but not from suffering. Christ died to save us from ourselves. You promise to make all things new, but we are not sure we want to let go of the old. Gracious God, help us to grow and leave our old demons behind. Help us follow Christ’s call even if doubt pesters us to stay in place. Help us believe that our being here is evidence You are with us. Let us be born again this day. Amen. (silent confession . . . )
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (responsive)
Farther than the east is from the west and the north is from the south, even farther has God taken our sins away from us.
God has created us. God has redeemed us. God has sent us.
The Lord who knows our heart and soul is the Lord who forgives our deepest sin.
Lord, help us accept your forgiveness and live in your grace.
* 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 #404 -- "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING -- Matthew 22:15-22 (p. 1535, pew Bible)
(This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!)
SERMON "The Unjust Judge" Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton
THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO GOD'S WORD
OFFERING
Offertory Song Without Words (Kihlkin)
* 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 #316 -- "Breathe on Me, Breath of Life"
* 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 Chorale / Elegy (Uehlein)
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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.
