Order of Worship

Opening Praise Music – Hymn #404 – “Every Time I Feel the Spirit”, “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands”, and Hymn #352 – “It’s Me, It’s Me Oh Lord”

Welcome/Greetings

*Call to Worship

L:  I am about to create new heavens and a new earth.

P:  Thus says our God, the Holy One.

L:  Be glad and rejoice in this new creation.

P:  Celebrate all that is coming to you.

L:  For your weeping shall be met with rejoicing.

P:  And your suffering will be overtaken by new life.

L:  Heaven and earth will be filled with my peace.

P:  Everything will become a new creation.

*Opening Prayer

Loving and Merciful God, we give you thanks.  You bring us strength, when we feel weak; courage, when we cannot stand.  You fill our hearts with your glory and bless our being with your grace.  You protect our lives.  In your care, not one hair on our heads shall perish, nor the smallest flutter of peace perish in our souls.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession

O God, we wish we could be unaffected by the world and give all our anxiety away.  And yet, we hold onto our worries and fears, as if they could bring us comfort, the way you do.  When the world falls apart around us; when we turn to things that never satisfy, help us place our trust in you.  Keep our hearts from being idle and our souls from giving in to despair, for you are just waiting to bring new life.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

Loving One, you meet our fear with comfort, our anger with grace.  Redeem our fears and turn them into joy.  Sing through us, O God, that we may have the voice and the peace to sing through you, forever and ever.  Amen.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

We are offspring blessed by the Lord.  So shall our descendants be.  Let God’s peace surround us and fill us, now and forever, as we share signs of peace and welcome.

Children’s Message       Rev. Eumin Kim

Westminster Ringers – “Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell, arr. by Martin Lynn Thompson

Scriptures

Old Testament – Psalm 4:1-8 (NIV)

¹ Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.  Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.  ²How long will you people turn my glory into shame?  How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?  ³ Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.  ⁴ Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  ⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.  ⁶ Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”  Let the light of your face shine on us.  ⁷ Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.  ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

New Testament – Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn #2145 – “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”                                    

~The Faith We Sing Hymnal~                                          

Sermon – “Gaining Peace through Praying, Praising, and Practicing”          Rev. Eumin Kim

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

God has given us home and hearth and love without end.  Let us share our lives and our gifts with the One who has gifted us.

Anthem – “Kum-Ba-Yah” arranged by Warren Amerman

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

Gracious God, you have given us new heavens and a new earth.  You bless us with new life and presence, more than ever before.  So, let us build and share our homes.  Let us plant gardens and offer the fruit to those who hunger.  We offer our gifts to you and to all your people.  For then shall we too be fed—in body and in spirit.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn #377 – “It Is Well with My Soul”                     

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – “Finale (Organo Pleno)” by Janet Correll