Oct. 25, 2020 Worship

Reformation Sunday

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Pastor Karen Crawford

Mark Wagner, Organist

Jeff Sycks, Liturgist

Prelude Chorale Prelude on Ein feste Burg ist unser Go Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Greeting/Announcements Pastor Karen
Flowers are given in loving memory of the King and Walling family by Randy and Cindy Walling and family.

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Opening Words (Psalm 90:1-6, 13-14) Jeff Sycks
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

*Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth stll.
His kingdom is forever.

Call to Confession/Prayer of Confession/Assurance of Pardon
Lord Jesus, you have revealed the truth to us and set us free to love you and one another. But we live as if we are still slaves to sin. We are shackled by our own self-interest; we deprive the vulnerable of resources that you have given us to share. We are bound by prejudice; we deprive your children of the dignity you have given them. We are held captive to fear; we refuse opportunities to participate in your reign of grace. Speak to us again, we pray, and write your word upon our hearts until the truth we proclaim sets us free to follow you faithfully. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Time with Children and Youth

Prayer for Illumination
Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Romans 3:19-28

Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God!

Reading John 8:31-36
This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ!

Message The Truth Will Make You Free

Hymn Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord William H. Foulkes

Take thou our minds, dear Lord, we humbly pray;
give us the mind of Christ each passing day;
teach us to know the truth that sets us free;
grant us in all our thoughts to honor thee.

Take thou ourselves, O Lord, heart, mind, and will;
Through our surrendered souls thy plans fulfill.
We yield ourselves to thee: time, talents, all;
We hear, and henceforth heed, thy sovereign call.

Confirming the Faith of Ashley Bryant, Mason Gano, Courtney Snyder and Ethan Swigert
Questions for the confirmands
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
I do.
Who is your Lord and Savior?
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you devoted yourself to the church’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers?
I will, with God’s help.

Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Welcome
Ashley Bryant, Mason Gano, Courtney Snyder and Ethan Swigert, by professing your faith publicly, you have expressed your intention to grow in the covenant God made with you in your baptism. May the Spirit continue to strengthen and sustain you in the worship and mission of the church. Amen. Alleluia!

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Pastorale on St. Anne (Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come:
O be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.

*Doxology
*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication/Lord’s Prayer
Lord, you have blessed the work of our hands, given us resources and talents to share in your service, entrusted us with gifts to share for the building up of your kingdom. We rejoice that you enlist us to participate in your providential care for all creation. We celebrate the work of your Spirit in us and in our world and through these gifs we give to you in faith and hope. Bless and use them in ways we may never see but can nonetheless trust. In Christ’s name we continue our 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.

*Hymn Come Sing, O Church, in Joy! Brian Dill

Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song!
For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Let courage be our friend; let wisdom be our guide,
As we in mission magnify the Crucified!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude Toccata in F Major Dietrich Buxtehude