O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8
Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church July 21, 2013 10 AM This morning we gather to worship God and to acknowledge that our world belongs to him. Psalm 8 was written in praise of the creative power of God and in wonder of God s glorious and majestic handiwork. In addition, the psalmist celebrates that we too are part of the picture. Not only are we a product of God s handiwork, we play an important role in God s grand scheme of causing this world to flourish. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
GATHERING TO WORSHIP Prelude: This Is My Father s World (arr. Jordan) All Creatures of Our God and King (arr. Held) Call to Worship: L: As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world which some seek to control, and others view with despair C: We declare with joy and trust: Our world belongs to God! L: From the beginning, through all the crises of our times, until the kingdom fully comes, C: God keeps covenant forever: Our world belongs to God! L: God is King: Let the earth be glad! Christ is victor: his rule has begun! C: The Spirit is at work: creation is renewed! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! *Hymn of Praise: Lord, Our Lord, Your Glorious Name PH 8:1, 4, 5 *God s Greeting and Mutual Greetings CONFESSION AND RENEWAL Call to Confession (Our World Belongs to God, stanzas 4, 5): L: Our world, fallen into sin, has lost its first goodness, but God has not abandoned the work of his hands: our Maker preserves this world, sending seasons, sun, and rain, upholding all creatures, renewing the earth, promising a Savior, guiding all things to their purpose. C: God holds this world with fierce love. Keeping his promise, he sends Jesus into the world, pours out the Holy Spirit, and announces the good news: sinners who repent and believe in Jesus live anew as members of the family of God, the firstfruits of a new creation. Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon: (based on Our World Belongs to God, stanzas 23, 25) L: Remembering the promise to reconcile the world to himself, God joined our humanity in Jesus Christ. C: Standing in our place, Jesus suffered the tortures of the cross, carried God's judgment on our sin, and removed our guilt. L: Then God raised him from the dead. Jesus walked out of the grave - Lord of Life! C: Because of Christ s death and resurrection, we are set right with God, given new life, and called to work with him in freedom from sin s dominion. L: People of God, be assured that through Jesus Christ, all our sins are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God! Sung Response of Gratitude: Lord Most High Sing! 47 *Apostles' Creed (inside front cover of Hymnal) TNG Testimonies Song of Response: This Is My Father s World PH 436 All on verses 1 and 3; duet on verse 2 Children's Prayer and Blessing Leader: What is our prayer for these children? Congregation: The Lord be with you. Children: And also with you. (Preschoolers may go to Church School.) Pastoral Prayer and Prayer for Illumination PROCLAMATION OF GOD S WORD Scripture Reading: Psalm 8 (p. 530) Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Message: God s Very Good Creation *Song of Response: Creation Sings! Each Plant and Tree Sing! 36
We Come Joyfully to God s Table Invitation Hearing God s welcome Thanksgiving Lifting up our hearts to God Minister: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right for us to give thanks and praise. Minister: With joy we praise you, gracious God, for you created heaven and earth, made us in your image, and kept covenant with us even when we fell into sin. We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by his life, death, and resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore we join our voices with all the saints and angels and the whole creation to proclaim the glory of your name: All: Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts Sing! 251 Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory, the whole earth is full of his glory, the whole earth is full of his glory. Holy is the Lord. Consecration (unison) Praying for God s blessing Holy Father, give your Holy Spirit in the breaking of the bread, so that we may be drawn together and, joined to Christ the Lord, receive new life, new strength, and remain his glad and faithful people until he comes again. Amen.
Profession Proclaiming our faith Minister: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again! Dying, he destroyed our death. Rising, he restored our life. All praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Minister: These are the gifts of God for the people of God. All: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Celebrating - Sharing the Feast During the passing of the bread: As you pass the bread, say: The body of Christ for you. Table of Plenty Sing! 247 All on refrain, duet on verses During the passing of the cup: As you pass the cup, say: The blood of Christ for you. Beautiful Savior (arr. Wood) Gratitude Blessing the Lord (from Psalm 103) RESPONSE OF GRATITUDE Presentation of Offerings for: 1 st offering: General Fund (Members envelopes for Christian Education, General Fund and Faith Promise) 2 nd offering: Benevolence
Musical Offering: Below My Feet (Mumford and Sons) Keep the earth below my feet For all my sweat, my blood runs weak Let me learn from where I have been Keep my eyes to serve and my hands to learn *Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Offertory Prayer: Deacon Marc Meyer DEPARTING TO SERVE *Hymn of Praise: Beautiful Savior PH 461 All on verses 1, 3, 4; duet on verse 2 *God's Blessing *Postlude: Let the Whole Creation Cry Alleluia! *Those who are able, please stand. PH Psalter Hymnal (Grey Hymnbook) Sing! - Sing! A New Creation (Green Hymnbook) Pastor Ruth Boven, liturgist and preaching Dawn Hendriksen, organist and pianist Allison Kuyvenhoven, Paris Meadow; duet Markayla Johnson, Bastian Bouman, Katy Hoffman; testimonies TNG members, readers Drew Hendriksen, Allison Kuyvenhoven, Maddie Smith, Jerry Fondse; pastoral prayer Ben Hawkins, sound system Cover Art: from A Mystery Revealed by James Fissel. Reprinted by permission from Eyekons 2008 James Fissel Eyekons Hearing Loop System available. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
Welcome to Neland. A warm welcome to all who worship with us today! If you are visiting with us or are interested in joining the fellowship of Neland Church, please fill out one of the cards in the pew in front of you and place it in the offering plate. All children ages 3 and 4 are welcome to come forward for the children s prayer and blessing during the morning service. The children may then move to Church School for story, singing, and craft; they may be picked up at Room 22 or the Choir Room following the service. The Parlor (located on the lower level) is available, during the service, for nursing mothers. Coffee, juice and cookies are available outside after the morning service. Visit the Ministry Center on the lower level after the service to see what s happening at Neland. Learn more about ministries, schedule a tour, or sign up to use your gifts in ministry! If you desire pastoral care, please call a member of our Pastoral Care Team: Pastor Ruth Boven, 245-0669, ext. 103 e-mail: rboven@neland.org Pastor Leonard Kuyvenhoven, 245-0669, ext. 102 - e-mail: lkuyvenhoven@neland.org - drop-in hours: Thursday 1:30 5:00 There s a place for you... to serve! For information on programs and volunteer opportunities please call Ministry Coordinator Pearl Banks, 245-0669, ext. 105 e-mail: pbanks@neland.org Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church 940 Neland Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 245-0669 E-Mail: office@neland.org Web site: www.neland.org There s a place for you at Neland