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Our guest speaker this week is Nellie Baker, CRE.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Music Director Robert Senay Announcements CALL TO WORSHIP: L: Loving God, grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know You. P: Enlighten the eyes of our hearts. L: May we know what is the hope to which we are called, P: May we enjoy with all the saints, the glorious inheritance You have promised us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Invocation: Nellie Baker CRE All around us, we see trouble and wrongdoing. Our world is consumed by violence and destruction. Even in Your church, O God are strife and contention. The iniquity of this generation hangs heavy upon us. We cannot worship You apart from turmoil that lies so close at hand. Listen to us, God of all people. Hear our longing for a new day in which Your reign of love is established among us. Amen.
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Good morning!
We are so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. Take some time to think about the past week. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer to get started.
Gracious God, forgive us for looking at people’s outward appearance, including our own, and believing that somehow a person’s external trait or ability is the most important qualification or disqualification for service. Help us to understand that you created us and that we are acceptable and able just as we are, as long as our hearts are set on following you and becoming more like Jesus.
Help us to see so-called flaws and disabilities not as negative factors but as qualities that make us unique and human. Help us to see them as opportunities to relate to others who may have issues regarding their self-worth. And help us to show them by example that you call all of us to love and respect and value each other, regardless of outward appearances. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today's lesson is on 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
Today's guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: God is revealed not to the person who is self- sufficient or self-righteous, People: But to the one whose mind is open, whose will is receptive, and whose soul is humble. ALL: In that spirit, let us come in worship before the Lord. INVOCATION Rev. Mason
* HYMN “Just As I Am” # 442
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Eternal God, You have set forth the way of life for us in Jesus of Nazareth. We confess that we have been slow to learn from his example. You have spoken to us and called us, and we have not followed. Your beauty has been expressed in the world around us, and we have been blind. You have stretched out Your hands to us through our brothers and sisters, and we have passed by. We have taken great benefit with little thanks. We have been unworthy of Your self-giving love. Forgive us, O God, and grant that we may be more faithful and constant in our love and service. Amen. *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading Luke 18: 9-14 The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
L: The Word of the Lord
P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “REGRETS” *HYMN “There is a Balm in Gilead” # 792 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Bob Senay *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People Rev. Mason The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN “ Here in This Place # 401 *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay
BIRTHDAYS: Greg Duntz, Chad Durbin, Frank Baker, Suzy McCoy
ANNIVERSARIES: None SYMPATHY: The Family of George Hildebrand The Family of Betty Anderson The Family of Fred Engle The Family of Harry Burnside (Winnie Knox’s brother) ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our Food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37. Please let Betty Fisher know of you are aware of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. North Buffalo Church will hold a joint Thanksgiving Eve Worship service on Wednesday, November 23, at 7 P. M. Rev. Mason will lead the service for our church and Upper Buffalo Church. Our church will also hold a Hanging of the Greens gathering from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, November 26th. Everyone is invited to come and decorate the sanctuary as the Advent season begins. West Middletown Christian Church is inviting everyone to a community hymn sing, Sunday Evening, October 23rd at 7 P. M. Feel free to bring your friends and neighbors. Let us join in singing with a fellow church. Offering collected will go to 2000 Turkeys. Thank Offering Sunday is November 6th, the speaker will be Nancy Hillberry, Co-Moderator of Presbyterian Women in Washington Presbytery. Nancy will share the history of Presbyterian Women’s Mission work in the Presbyterian Church. Dorothy Caffrey (Don Herschell’s mother) wanted to share her granddaughter’s plans with us. Also, prayers and emails. See the insert for brief information. More sayings from Keith McGill’s list of saying. “Train your heart to give sympathy – and your hand to give help.” “Even if you have nothing else to give, you can give encouragement.”
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Ed Horne, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Betty Fisher, Haley Diedier, Fred Wilkinson, Ron and Jean Westfall, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Mary Tarnic, Ricci Amos, Milton Rice Greg Duntz, Larry Fox, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Marlene McFeely, Susie Smith, Debbie Moriarty, Tiffany Cipoletti and her grandmother, Aldine, Diane Bednarski, John & Donna West, Robert Paxton, Jim McCoy ,Bill Berdine, Aleta Whirlow, and Cheryl Bell.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. Take some time to think about your past week. If you have any prayer requests, you can add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Father, we thank You for Your spirit-inspired word. Thank You for the ones before us who surrendered to Your voice and obediently recorded Your words through personal encounters with You. Holy Spirit, we ask that You come and have Your way in our hearts and that if there is even one doubt in our minds about the validity of Your Scriptures, that You would illuminate Your holy truth. We invite You to teach us what aligns with who You are and who You say we are. Enlighten every dark place in our souls. Thank You for this time in Your presence. Amen.
Today's lesson is on 1 Samuel 8:4-7; 10:17-24.
Lesson Context
The books of 1 and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament are included with the twelve historical books. They record the transition from being governed by the Lord to being governed by an earthly king. The period of the judges lasted more than 300 years, from 1380 to 1050 BC. The judges administered justice and served as God's chosen military leaders when the people were oppressed by foreign invaders. During this period, the Israelites sinned, God punished them with foreign oppression, the Israelites repented, a deliverer came, and peace followed. In his transitional role, Samuel is sometimes referred to as the last of the judges, and the first of the prophets. He was one of the greatest of Israel's judges. After freeing the country from oppressors, he established a circuit court to administer justice. His decisions were respected, for they were according to the law.
1. The Call for a King
1 Samuel 8:4-7 After the death of a judge, such as in Judges 3:7-4:7, there could be a crisis in the leadership of Israel. With no judge in place, the Israelites seemed to repeat the pattern of falling away from God. Samuel, the judge at the time, was getting old. The elders of Israel, the leaders of the families and clans, were concerned about what would happen after Samuel's death. This could have been due to the repeated patterns of sin and being oppressed by a foreign people. This also could have been due to the greed of Samuel's sons. They would not have been trustworthy to guide the people with righteousness and justice. The elders of Israel suggested a solution: appoint a king. This suggestion displeased both Samuel and God. Up until that point, God had been the nation's leader. The judges were raised up by God when Israel needed them. Asking for a king was asking to be like all the other nations, and rejecting the leadership of God. Our book suggests that the elders did not understand that they were rejecting God.
Interim
After the first part of our text, and before the second, Samuel met Saul. God revealed Saul to be his choice for the first king. Samuel secretly anointed Saul.
2. Acclamation of a King
1 Samuel 10:17-24 At some time after meeting with the elders, Samuel summoned the people to Mizpah. This is where Samuel had orchestrated a victory over the Philistines that solidified his leadership role as the judge of Israel. Samuel then begins a speech echoing Moses' farewell speech, giving Israel insight and instruction for a future without Samuel. God had done so much for the people of Israel! But they had rejected him. Our book says this may have been a call to repentance. Samuel then had the people come forward to find the new king. Casting lots was a way of recognizing that God was making his choice. Proverbs 16:33 gives the view that it is the Lord who controls the outcome. In such a situation, one marked object was placed in a container with other items that were similar. The marked item was God's choice. First, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. This was unexpected because Benjamin was the smallest and least influential of the tribes. Then, Matri's clan was chosen. Finally, Saul, son of Kish, was chosen. But he could not be found. He had hidden among the supplies. When Saul was brought forward, he was head and shoulders taller than anyone else. Our book says that his physical stature may have been a reassuring sight for someone the people expected to be a military leader. At the end of our passage, the people shout, "Long live the king!" This is a prayer to the Lord. Though the people's desire was at its heart a rejection of the Lord, they did not desire to lose the Lord's blessings and protection. 
Conclusion
Despite the people rejecting him, the Lord chose not to abandon them. He sometimes punished them, but he continued to love his people and work through them. The same goes for us. We may make decisions that do not always follow God. But God does not abandon us or stop working through the church. He has the power to use even our worst decisions for his glory. Samuel and the elders were concerned for Israel's future, but they had very different plans for how to alleviate that worry. Similarly, leadership in churches look for the future of their congregations and of the worldwide church. When considering our plans, we must not discount the warnings of godly people who do not share a majority opinion. We have an ally in this endeavor that Israel did not: the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer. Prayer Lord God, forgive us when we value our judgment over yours. Help us examine our hearts and overcome those motivations that are a rejection of you. May we seek clarity from the Lord in every decision, resisting worldly wisdom so that we can continue to live out our calling as the priesthood of believers. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
What situations tempt you to embrace cultural norms that contradict your identity in Christ? What strategies can you employ to go to the Lord with your anger and frustrations instead of losing your temper in the moment? What memories of God's goodness have encouraged you in times when trusting the Lord was especially difficult?
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Revised Standard Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
This morning's guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: We sing praises to you, O Lord! People: Our lips praise you and will not be silent. Leader: We raise prayers to you, O Lord! People: Our souls praise you and will not be silent. Leader: We bring ourselves to you, O Lord! People: Our deeds praise you and will not be silent. INVOCATION Rev. Mason
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. Consider your last week, and any prayer requests you might have. If you feel comfortable, you can share them in the comments. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, I ask that you would speak to us today as we study Your Word. May every word, verse, and chapter cause our hearts to worship You more fully! Let this be a joyous time of study and fellowship in the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Today's lesson is on Judges 6:1-2, 7-16.
Our guest speaker today is Rev Renny Domske.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Music Director Robert Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS: CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 14 The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. The fool says in his heart. “There is no God.” These foolish men are corrupt, their deeds are vile. They have together become corrupt and turned God aside. There is no one who does good, not even one. God is present in the company of the righteous. The Lord is the refuge of the poor and their plans. Will evildoers never learn? They devour my people as men eat bread. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! The Lord restores the fortunes of His people
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, you can add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use this prayer (source) to get started.
Loving God, you love us so much that you invite us to a life of transformation. You call us to live outside ourselves, and to follow you more faithfully with each day that passes. We confess to you that we often fail to grow closer to you, and to grow together as a church. Please help us to humble ourselves to the point where we are willing to be transformed for you. Please renew our desire to faithfully follow you as we silently confess our sins to you now.…
Amen
This week's lesson is on Deuteronomy 32: 3-6, 10-14, 18.
Our guest speaker this week is Rev. Renny Domske.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Music Director Robert Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS: CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 13 How Long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How Long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? My enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. Look on me and answer me, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, so I do not sleep in death. Yet I trust in Your unfailing love for me; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, the Lord my God, for my God has surely been good to me.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. Take some time to think about the past week. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer to get started.
Heavenly Father, we sometimes feel so small and weak in the face of life’s difficulties. We feel so unequipped to solve the problems that divide us. We feel so powerless to make a difference in our community and our world. In this moment, we offer what little we have, and we trust you to work out solutions in ways we would never have seen or imagined. Take our needs, our hopes, and our fears, and in their place give us your presence and your comfort. For we ask it in Christ’s name. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Exodus 2:1-10.
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