Ephesians 2:1-10

Today's speaker is Clayton LaPosta. 

                           Gathering Around the Word                                        
 
Prelude:      Choir                             
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
CALL TO WORSHIP
“For we were dead in our transgressions, but God, who is rich in mercy, made us all alive together with Christ.”
     Thanks be to God, who has shown us mercy and grace.
“We have been saved by grace through faith, and this is not of our own doing; it is the gift of God.”
     Praise be to the Lord, who freely offers us this great gift
     of salvation.
“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
     Out of gratitude, love, and a transformed heart we are
     called to serve and honor our Lord through acts of love
     and compassion.
As we gather today, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the
gift of salvation, for we were once lost but are now found in Christ.
Let us offer our praise, our worship, and our very lives to the One who has made us alive and who is worthy of our praise.
 All together -  AMEN
 
INVOCATION

*HYMN     “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”              # 475
                           (intro then 3 verses)
 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Father, too often we have looked inwardly for your approval.  We convince ourselves that if we could just do more, act right, and be better we would be more worthy of Your love and fellowship.  And as a result, we have been guilty of imposing that burden on others forgetting the free gift that has been extended to us.  Forgive us,
Lord for where we have fallen short of Your standards in action, thought, desire, and speech. Have mercy on us for the ways we have not loved You and our neighbors.  Forgive us for looking to anything other than the Savior for forgiveness, justification, and
reconciliation.  Remind us again that our hope isn’t in our
strength or ability but in Your great love for us.  We pray these things in the name of Your Son, and with the help of Your Spirit.
AMEN
*Time of silent prayer:
 
Assurance of Pardon
*Response – Gloria Patri     # 581
 
* Passing of the peace
 
Children’s Chat
Prayer of illumination
 
Scripture:  Ephesians 2: 1-10
Sermon
 
*HYMN    “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”                # 829
                               (intro then 4 verses)
*Apostles Creed  ( Next to Prayer List)
 
Presentation of tithes and offering
Offertory
*Doxology
*Prayer of dedication
 
Concerns and Celebrations
Prayers of the people
The Lord’s Prayer
 
HYMN   ”To God Be the Glory”                          # 634
                             (intro then 2 verses)
Benediction
Postlude   All sing      See music insert
      *Please stand if able**

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BIRTHDAYS
Frank Baker, Suzy McCoy, Jean Isenberg, Ina Henderson, Dorothy Caffrey, Shayla Miller
 
ANNIVERSARIES
              None this week
 
SYMPATHIES
               None currently
                     
 Remember our food collection.  And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”    Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time.
 
This is an exciting time for our church!  The sessions have agreed on how the pastoral relationship will work, including special services and holidays and a joint Vacation Bible School.  Under the plan, one church will worship at 9:45 a.m. while the other worships at 11:15.  Every 6 months, the churches will switch worship times.
Detailed information will be available at the meeting.  You will also have a chance to meet and talk to Clayton from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 28 in our fellowship hall.  Refreshments will be provided.
 
Shoeboxes and brochures for Operation Christmas Child are on the table in the back of the sanctuary.  Filled and labeled boxes need to be returned by Sunday, November 12.  If you have any questions, please contact Christine Welling.
 
Don’t forget the Hymn Sing at the Christian Church in West Middletown this evening at 7 pm.   All are invited to participate in choosing your favorite hymns.  Hope to see you there.
 
Next Sunday is our Sunday Dinner after church.  It is also the day daylight saving time begins.  Don’t forget to turn your clocks back 1 hour.
 
Also want to thank Carol Smith for being our pianist today.  We enjoy it when she is here.

​    Continuing Prayer List 
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Ricci Amos, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Diane Anderson, Helen Provenzano, Donna West, Judy Donaldson, Marlene McFeely, Chuck Harton, Jean Westfall, Sue Gregg, Wendy Willard, Marley Smith, Kirkland Cipoletti, Ellen Morris, Dave Henderson, Ed Horne, Doris Ann Rowe, Hunter Beck, Karen Eisiminger, Rev. Shetter's grandson, Beckett, Tim Knabensue, Helen Bury, Nelson and Marlene Huffman, Glenn “Mikey” Hardin, Suzy Smith, Richard Wagner, Steven Shuba, Frank Baker