Order of Worship
April 23, 2022
*Call to Worship
Praise the Lord!
Praise God, sun and moon, praise God, all you shining stars!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God commanded and they were created.
The Lord established them forever and ever; God fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth. Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted.
God’s glory is above earth and heaven.
*Opening Hymn #370 “This Is My Father's World”
This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas,
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world.
O, let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world.
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
and earth and heaven be one.
Prayer of Confession
God of Earth and Sky, you gave us a creation that we still do not understand fully; it is too marvelous for us. Yet we confess, Lord, that throughout human history, we have feared your creation. We don’t feel safe in the dark of the forest, so we clear the trees. We never trust that there is enough, so we build, farm, and reshape your creation for profit rather than for sustaining diverse life. Lord, forgive us. Show us a more excellent way. Help us to live quieter lives so that there may be enough to sustain the creatures around us, and the children who come after us. In the name of your risen Son we pray, Amen.
(time of silence)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading Genesis 1&2 (excerpts), Exodus 20:12
Sermon “Pillage or Till?”
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Offering
Music Offering “Lord, I Stretch My Hand to You”
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Dedication
*Closing Hymn #20 “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors;
God made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
The purple headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky:
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
*Benediction
Postlude