Faith and Favoritism

Today’s guest speaker is Don Herschell.
 
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
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Gathering Around the Word
Prelude                                        
 ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                    

CALL TO WORSHIP    
Leader: Those who trust in God are like the mountains, immovable and abiding.
People: God shelters the people: today and for eternity.
Leader: Rich or poor, God creates us to pursue justice and to care for one another.
People: Be a blessing, O God, to those who are good and upright in heart.
Leader: God calls us to be rich in faith, to honor our heritage as heirs of the Kingdom.
People: We are blessed when we share our blessings, that peace may be upon the people.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION
HYMN:                             “God of Grace and God of Glory”                           #528
CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                          (UNISON)
Gracious God, we come before you today knowing that we often fall short of your call to love one another well. We allow ourselves to be blinded by wealth and power. We ignore those around us who suffer injustice, poverty, and rejection. We tune out the cries of the poor and those on the edges of our communities.  Help us to see your great generosity, hear your word of mercy, and feel your great love for all who need your redemptive grace. Strengthen us to reach out in service to those who are in need. Make us aware of those outside our own communities, that we may see them as your precious children and serve them in humility and joy. May we continue to grow in grace as we learn how to serve you in the name of the great Servant, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
*Time of silent prayer.
Assurance of Pardon

*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
P: And also, with you. 
    
*Response - GLORIA PATRI
Children’s Chat

The Word of God
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Lesson:    
Epistle reading: James 2:1-13,   Gospel reading: Mark 7:24-30

Favoritism Forbidden
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

​Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

​30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Sermon:                      “Faith and Favoritism” 

Responding to the Word
HYMN:                             “Christ For The World We Sing”                             #686
Apostles Creed
Minute for Mission
Presentation of our Tithes and Offering

Offertory                                                      Doxology 
Prayer of Dedication
Concerns and Celebrations         ​

BIRTHDAYS  Carol Horne, Dana Wilson, Nora Beth Gill, London Rich

ANNIVERSARIES Lynn and Dan Kalich; Barb and John O’Hara; Susie and Dave Cummings; Nicole and Doug King

JOYS AND CONCERNS

Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Chuck
Dicks, Karen Eisiminger, Ed Horne, June and Keith McGill, Glenn Miles, Roger Riggs, Doug
Ward, Tim Knabenshue, Adam Moore, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank Baker, Michael Durila,
Jr., Michael Durila Sr., Justin Hagon, Cory Patrick, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Donald
Potts, Suzy Smith, Elaine Belcascro, Lisa Marshall, Art and Kathy Waugaman and Jean
Westfall.

Prayers of the People                                       Don Herschell                                                   
The Lord’s Prayer

HYMN:               “In Christ There Is No East Or West"                                      #685
Benediction:

POSTLUDE

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We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please come again.  If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family. 
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REMEMBER OUR FOOD COLLECTION:  And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”  Mark 6:37. September food collection is boxed pasta such as spaghetti, pasta sauce, canned meats, peanut butter, jelly. Please remember our food pantry is available to anyone in need.  Replenish with your hands and listen for the need with your ears.  Contact Becky Phillips with any need in the community or to donate.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• There is still time to join our Church Choir! ♫♫♫ Choir Practice is held each Thursday at 6:30 pm. Contact Amy Hickman if you have any questions. 
• NBPC ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC AT CROSS CREEK PARK – Sunday September 12th, Worship at 11 AM, picnic meal at 1 PM. Don’t forget to mark your calendars and RSVP with Cheryl Bell.  This will be a great family event filled with worship, fun, food, games and fellowship.  We hope to see everyone there!!  For more info, also contact Cheryl Bell.
• Session and Trustees will meet Monday, September 13th, 7:00 pm.  
• Would you like to volunteer to be Usher?  There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary.  Please sign up to participate in our church service by volunteering to be Usher.  We would love to see a full sign-up sheet!​