NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

La Feria, Texas

September 8, 2024

15^th Sunday after Pentecost

GATHERING

Call To Worship (Bob)

One:     

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul.   Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.

All:  

Happy are those whose help in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

Opening Hymn –

GTG #20 – “All Things Bright and Beautiful”

Opening Prayer (Jeri)

Let us pray.

Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord..

(All God’s children say) Amen.

Call to Confession (David)

God knows us completely. God knows our hearts and discerns our thoughts. Let us then confess what we carry within us that does not honor God or God’s path of righteousness. 

Confession and Prayer (David)

Holy God:

Although we honor you with our words and worship, our hearts are often far from you. We are quick to judge, quick to exclude, quick to put others down instead of building them up. Forgive us, God. Help us amend our ways. Help us embrace the inclusive love you graciously offer us and expect us to offer others.

(All God’s children say) Amen.

 Personal Confession 

 Please take a moment for your private prayers of personal confession.

(Water pours to break the silence)

Assurance of Pardon (Bob)

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

Passing the Peace (Bob)

Having been reconciled with God, let’s be reconciled with each other.           All God’s children say:

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

WORD

Prayer for Illumination (Erik)  

Gracious God, we see as in a mirror dimly.  Your Spirit offers clarity, wisdom, and understanding.  Open our eyes, that these many words of Scripture may bear witness to your true Word: Jesus Christ our Lord.                  

All God’s children say: Amen.

First Reading (Erik)             

A reading from Isaiah 35:4-7a

The Word of the Lord.     Gracias a Dios.

Second Reading (Erik)

A reading from James 2:1-17

          The Word of the Lord.     Gracias a Dios.

Gospel Reading (Bob)

A reading from Mark 7:24-37

          The Word of the Lord.     Gracias a Dios.

Sermon:

“Ephphatha”                                     Bob Dymond

God is Good, All the Time!

Todo el Tiempo, Dios es Bueno!

Hymn      

GtG #203– “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”

Affirmation of Faith –

from the Barmen Declaration (Bob)

As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us     yful deliverance orm the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to God’s Creatures.

We reject the false doctrine, as though there wer areas of our lifein which we would not belong to Jesus christ, but to other lords – areas in which we would not need justification or sanctification through him.  

(all God’s children say) Amen.

Prayers of the People (Linda)

Prayers of Praise:

Lord in your Love and Grace, Hear our Praise!

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord in your Mercy, Hear our Prayer!

Ending Prayer

OFFERING

Invitation to the Offering (Charley)

We have more to offer than we recognize or realize. God has given us abundant gifts. Let us faithfully respond to our generous God, by presenting our tithes and offerings.

Special Mission Offering for September/October: (Charley)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Giving to New Hope (Charley)

Doxology (Charley)

Let’s sing a song of praise for all that God has given us!

Let’s sing the Doxology together.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Dedication of the Offering (Charley)

Holy God, How we often take for granted all that we have. How oftem we fail to recognize how blessed we are. Take these gifts w egive in response to your generosity and use them to further Christ’s mission and ministry in a hurting world.n the world.

(all God’s children say) Amen.

SENDING

Invitation to Join (Bob) if guests are present

Blessing (Bob)

May the grace of Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the friendship of the Holy Spirit,

accompany us along our way,

now and forever.

Charge (Bob)

Now, friends, God sends us out. May we who have heard the Word in this place go forth to live that gospel in the world. May we go to feed and clothe and tend and pray, to speak God’s love to those who have forgotten it. May we offer our whole selves to God, and to one another.

Hymn

GtG #762 - “When the Poor Ones”

Final Announcements and Schedule (Erik) 

Thank you to our dedicated Worship Contributors: 

Ruling Elder Linda Davis, Ruling Elder Erik Breden, Elder Terri Ericson, Elder Charley G Kidder, Jr., David and Jeri DeWeese.

Worship Liturgy used for worship today written by the Rev. Ginna Bairby and provided for free distribution by the Presbyterian Outlook, © 2024.