Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – “Minuet” by J. S. Bach, minor section by C. Petzold, arr. by Suzuki

Welcome/Greetings

Choral Introit

*Opening Hymn #140 – ”Great Is Thy Faithfulness”                

*Call to Worship

L:  Rejoice in God always!

P:  Rejoice in God’s steadfast love.

L:  Rejoice in Christ’s enduring grace.

P:  Rejoice in God’s saving Word.

L:  Rejoice in the Spirit’s gentle guidance.

P:  Rejoice in God’s healing presence.

ALL:  Again, I say, rejoice!

*Opening Prayer

Holy God, we come into your house with praise on our lips and songs of joy in our hearts.  We come to stand firm in our conviction:  that good is stronger than evil, that love is stronger than hate, that truth will ultimately win the day.  We come to be grounded in Christ.

Prayer of Confession (Please Be Seated)

Holy Presence, following you is seldom easy.  When worry and doubt cloud our vision bless us with your peace.  When work and social obligations rob our strength, grant us rest.  We yearn to focus our hearts and minds on things that are excellent, admirable, and worthy of praise.  Shine the light of your love in our lives, that we may bring your light to the world.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, is ours through Christ Jesus.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

When we keep our hearts and minds focused on things that are excellent and admirable, God blesses us with a peace that passes all understanding.  Let us share signs of this peace with one another.

Children’s Message       Rev. Eumin Kim

Scriptures

Old Testament – Isaiah 25:1-9 (New International Version – NIV)

25 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.  ² You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin, the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.  ³ Therefore strong peoples will honor you; cities of ruthless nations will revere you.  ⁴ You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall ⁵ and like the heat of the desert.  You silence the uproar of foreigners; as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled.  ⁶ On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.  ⁷ On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; ⁸ he will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.  ⁹ In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

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

New Testament – Philippians 4:1-9 (NIV)

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!  ² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.  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 before Sermon #2055 – “You Are My Hiding Place”                           

~The Faith We Sing Hymnal~                                                 

Sermon – “Peace from Problems and Salvation from Suffering”

Rev. Eumin Kim

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer and Choral Response

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

God’s steadfast love endures forever.  As recipients of God’s love and grace, let us show our gratitude for the God’s many blessings by giving of our tithes and offering.

Chancel Choir – “Rejoice the Lord Is King” by John Darwall.

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

God of steadfast love, your blessings overwhelm us.  For the abundant gifts in our lives, we thank you.  For the peace that passes all understanding, we praise you.  For keeping our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, we honor you.  Receive the gifts we bring you this day, and help us stay focused on things that are excellent and admirable, holy and just, righteous and pure.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn #377 – “It is Well with My Soul”  VILLE DU HAVRE

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary