The Presbyterian Church, 142 N. Fourth St., Coshocton, OH 34812
Pastor Karen Crawford
Guest Preacher, Synod of the Covenant Executive Chip Hardwick
Musicians: Alice Hoover, Caroline Heading and Mark Wagner
Liturgists: Bob Bish, Jim Arganbright, Franzetta Turner, Rob Heidenreich, and Brittany Hesson
Prelude: Trust and Obey ( Daniel B. Downer, arr. Lloyd Larson) Caroline Heading, Piano
Greeting/Announcements with Pastor Karen
Opening Sentences with Bob Bish
God calls us by name into the presence of holiness as God’s holy people.
We answer this call by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, come, let us worship God.
Gathering Prayer: Bob Bish
Hymn: Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (by Frank Mason North); Alice Hoover, Organ
- Where cross the crowded ways of life,
where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife,
we hear your voice, O Son of Man. - In haunts of wretchedness and need,
on shadowed thresholds fraught with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed,
we catch the vision of your tears. - The cup of water given for you
still holds the freshness of your grace;
yet long these multitudes to view
the sweet compassion of your face. - O Master, from the mountainside,
make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
among these restless throngs abide;
O tread the city’s streets again.
Call to Confession/Prayer of Confession/Assurance of Pardon with Pastor Karen
O God, on lonely Mount Moriah you put your servant, Abraham, to the test. We confess that we have failed much lesser tests of our faith. We have allowed sin to run our lives, to shape how we act toward others, and to kill our relationship with you. In your great mercy, forgive us. Change even our bodies from implements of destruction to instruments of your peace; for the sake of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Time With Children and Youth: Amazing Grace!
Hymn: Amazing Grace (John Newton, sung by Rhema Marvanne)
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see.
Was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace will lead us home.
And Grace will lead us home.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see.
Was blind, but now I see.
Prayer for Illumination with Bob Bish
Matthew 10:40-42: Bob Bish
Keep these words in your heart. The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
Genesis 22:1-14 with Pastor Karen
Holy wisdom, holy Word. Thanks be to God!
Romans 6:15-23: Franzetta Turner, Rob Heidenreich, and Brittany Hesson
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Message: Ultimate Allegiance with Chip Hardwick, Synod of the Covenant Executive
Affirmation of Faith with Jim Arganbright Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.32–33
The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord.
Invitation to the Offering with Pastor Karen
Offertory: His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Arranged by Victor Labenske) Mark Wagner, Piano
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication/Lord’s Prayer with Pastor Karen
God of unending gifts, we praise you for your abundant goodness. As you are generous, we want to be generous too. May the gifts we bring extend your generosity into the world, so that all people may be made whole by your goodness and grace. 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: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African-American Spiritual) Alice Hoover, Organ
I’m gonna live so (live so) God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna live so (live so) God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna work so (work so) God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna work so (work so) God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna pray so (pray so) God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna sing so (sing so) God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
I’m gonna sing so (sing so) God can use me anywhere,
Lord, anytime! (anytime!)
Charge/Benediction with Pastor Karen
Postlude: Be of Good Courage {Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) arr. Hal H. Hopson}, Alice Hoover, Organ
Sharing God's Love and Grace 