People of the Book

Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason
 
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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PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT “There is Something About That Name” CHOIR
CALL TO WORSHIP

LEADER: Listen, friends! God is speaking!
PEOPLE: God’s voice whispers to us in the stillness.
LEADER: It thunders across the skies.
PEOPLE: It breaks out from the heavens.
LEADER: All creation proclaims the glory of the Lord.
PEOPLE: God also speaks through the Word.
LEADER: That Word took on flesh to make God known to us.
PEOPLE: The Word is truth and life.
LEADER: The Word proclaims the promises and purposes of God.
ALL: Listen, friends! God is speaking!

INVOCATION            Rev. Mason

HYMN      “Wonderful Words of Life”    Page 29

CALL OF CONFESSION: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. God who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith, let us confess our sin to God:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Our memories are short, Eternal God, and we need your nudges to remember Your blessings. We get caught up in the worries and wrinkles of living and use sight of Your abiding presence. The urgent and the necessary crowd out playful thanksgiving and heartfelt gratitude. We stray from Your Word, reading it and praying about it. Forgive us, faithful God for outward obedience and inner resistance. Let Your light brighten our way, Your peace ease our anxious moments, Your love heal our troubled minds, Your joy kindle our memory and hope. Hear our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON - What amazing love is this, that God never cuts us off from compassion and mercy? We are loved, we are forgiven. Friends, this is Good News! Alleluia! Amen.
*Time of silent prayer. Amen

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

ANTHEM            “It’s Beginning to Rain”            CHOIR

The Word of God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON        Nehemiah 8: 1 - 3, 5 - 6, 8 - 10

8 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

L: The Word of the Lord
P: Thanks be to God!

SERMON:        “People of the Book”
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Responding to the Word

HYMN:     “How Firm a Foundation”            Page 32

APOSTLE’S CREED    (found inside the back cover of the hymnal)

Presentation of Tithes and Offering 
OFFERTORY         “Heaven Came Down”     CHOIR
DOXOLOGY (Hymnal Page 382) 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
 
CHURCH JOYS AND CONCERNS

BIRTHDAYS Dave Cummings, Becky Phillips, Wendy Liggett, Tom Blackhurst, Wyatt Miller, Susie Rich, Riley Ewing, Brittany Hanes, John Morgan, Dylan Ward, April Waltz, Ida Reese

ANNIVERSARIES Ed and Carol Horne

JOYS AND CONCERNS - We were able to remove some names from our on-going prayer list, Mike Durila Sr., Andrea Gregor, Justin Hagon and Lisa Marshall. Prayer Works!
Frank Baker would like prayer for his sister, Grace in England for her transitional care.

SYMPATHY
Family of Elmer Doman 
Family of Tori Crowe 
Family of Randy Russell 
Family of Rob Holden 
Family of Jim Headley 
Family of Nancy Burns 
Family of Florence Diesel

Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, June and Keith McGill, Glenn Miles, Roger Riggs, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank Baker, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Diane Bednarski, Matt Petrola, Ray Dyson, Diana Donaldson, Laura Davis, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Ed Horne, Sarah Wilson, Amy Wigner, Robin Durila and Bill Poland.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION - So we are here O Lord, joining all generations before us, anticipating all the generations to come after us, making one age-long world- size sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. All glory and honor to You for making us, for wanting us, for receiving us, for hearing us, for loving us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

POSTLUDE “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” CHOIR

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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.
Remember our Food Collection. - And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6: 37. Please let Betty Fisher know if you are aware of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time.

Envelopes for 2022 are in the vestibule. There are names with new numbers. We are using boxes from this past year, so we don’t need to buy new ones. The DATES will be WRONG. If you have any questions, please ask Garnet.

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held next Sunday, January 30th immediately following the Worship Service. Please plan on staying for this very important meeting as we select new officers and discuss future plans for our church.