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UPCOMING SUNDAY WORSHIP:

View a PDF of the Worship bulletin here

January 16, 2022–Second Sunday after Epiphany

We Come Together as God’s People

Prelude               Someone To Watch Over Me              George Gershwin
                                     2PC Jazz Quartet                                       (1898-1937)

Welcome                                                                Rev. Christopher A. Henry

Call to Worship                  That’s What Friends Are For            Burt Bacharach/arr. Carol Bayer Sager
                                      Erin Benedict, vocalist; 2PC Jazz Quartet                  (b. 1928; b. 1947)

Keep smiling, keep shining,
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure,
That's what friends are for.

For good times and bad times,
I'll be on your side forever more,
That's what friends are for.

One:        Welcome, friends, to this holy day. Rev. Karen L. Lang

All:          We come to offer thanks; we come to sing and pray.

One:        Welcome, friends, to this time set apart.

All:          A time to remember those we love,
                and time to remember the holy promises of God.

One:        Welcome, friends, to this place of remembrance and joy.

All:          The table where we are fed, the feast we share with many.

One:        Welcome, friends. Let us worship God.

* Prayer of Adoration

* Processional Hymn #313               Come Down, O Love Divine         DOWN AMPNEY
                                                                                                                               arr. Will Todd
                                                                                                                                          (b.1970)

Call to Confession

Silent Confession

Prayer of Confession

Jesus, you call us friend.
You taught us to abide in your generous love.
You ask us to love others as you have loved us.
But we struggle to live out that love.
We hold back friendship with those who come from different places,
       or think differently from us.
We do not always dwell in your love,
       but often in anger, jealousy, and selfishness.
And, most of all, we do not make time for you,
       our friend and loving savior. Forgive us, we pray.
Fill us again with your love and friendship.
Help us to come back and dwell in you,
For you offer us full and everlasting life.
In the name of Christ, who called us friend and who forgives our failure. Amen.

Words of Assurance

* Response of Praise                                    Cameroon melody/arr. John L. Bell

* Passing of the Peace

* Hymn #335                Though I May Speak                O WALY WALY

We Experience God’s Word

Time with Children (11:00)

Prayer for Illumination                                               Elder Jim Maggard (9:30)
                                                                                     Elder Ted Vatnsdal (11:00)

First Scripture Lesson               Matthew 16:13-15                                (p. 893)

Anthem                               My Lord Has Come                                    Will Todd
                        Sanctuary Choir; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor

Shepherds, called by angels, called by love and angels; no place for them but a stable.
       My Lord has come.
Sages, searching for stars, searching for love in heaven; no place for them but a stable.
      My Lord has come.
His love will hold me, his love will cherish me, love will cradle me.
Lead me, lead me to see him, sages and shepherds and angels; no place for me but a stable.
      My Lord has come.

Second Scripture Lesson                 John 15:9-17                             (p. 983)

Sermon                                                                  Rev. Christopher A. Henry

“What a Friend…”
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
(John 15:13)

Moment of Silent Meditation

We Give Thanks to God

Affirmation of Faith (from A Brief Statement of Faith)                   Dr. David A. Chaddock (9:30)
                                                                                                                               Tyler D. Brinks (11:00)

We trust in Jesus Christ,
            Fully human, fully God.
     Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
            preaching good news to the poor
                   and release to the captives,
            teaching by word and deed
                   and blessing the children,
            healing the sick
                   and binding up the brokenhearted,
            eating with outcasts,
            forgiving sinners,
            and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
     Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition,
     Jesus was crucified,
            suffering the depths of human pain
            and giving his life for the sins of the world.
     God raised this Jesus from the dead,
            vindicating his sinless life,
            breaking the power of sin and evil,
            delivering us from death to life eternal.

     In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
            we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks
                   and to live holy and joyful lives,
            even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth,
                   praying, "Come, Lord Jesus!" Amen.

Invitation to Discipleship and Generosity

Offertory                      You’ve Got A Friend                         Carole King
                                                                                                   (b. 1958)

When you're down and troubled,
And you need some tender care,
And nothin', nothin' is goin' right,
Close your eyes and think of me.
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.

Refrain:
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am,
I'll come runnin'
To see you again.

Winter, spring, summer or fall,
All you have to do is call;
And I'll be there,
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds,
And that old north wind begins to blow,
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud.
Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door. Refrain

Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend,
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you,
And take your soul if you let them,
Oh, but don't you let them. Refrain

Prayers of the People and The 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.

We Go Forth to Serve

* Closing Hymn #403           What a Friend We Have in Jesus        CONVERSE

* Charge and Benediction

Postlude                                 Stablemates                                   Benny Golson
                                                                                                                (b. 1929)