Central Reformed Church Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 11, 2020

REFLECTION

Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.

—Rumi The maple, on this wild October day, lists each leaf as it leaves. Each one, perfectly formed in spring like a green, newborn baby, is now an old man, a wrinkled woman. To say Fall is to tell the truth.

—Luci Shaw, “Leaving” in Christian Century, October 7, 2020

ORDER OF WORSHIP NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

OCTOBER 11, 2020 9:30 am

(We invite you to quiet your hearts and homes as you prepare for worship.)

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GATHERING IN LOVE

Prelude “The Lord’s My Shepherd” (James Bain, arr. Lloyd Larson) “Partita on ‘Nettleton’” (John Eggert) The Chimes

Welcome Votum, Call to Worship

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord People: who made heaven and earth. Amen. Leader: In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth. People: Christ dwells among us and is one with us. Leader: Highest of all creation, he lives among the least. People: He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary with gentleness. Leader: Come now, all who thirst, People: and drink the water of life. Leader: Come now, all who hunger, People: and be filled with good things. Leader: Come now, all who seek, People: and be warmed by the fire of love.

Hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (see end of order of worship for music) (Those worshipping at home are invited to sing; those worshipping in the sanctuary are invited to hum.) *Salutation

Leader: May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

People: Amen.

*Invitation to Confession

*Prayer of Confession (unison)

God of love and justice, we long for peace, for harmony in our families, for serenity in the midst of struggle. We want our homes, schools, and workplaces to be a dwelling place for your love where we reflect your gentleness to others. Yet we confess that we are often anx-ious, we do not trust each other, and we harbor anger. When we are not willing to take risks and make sacrifices that love requires, we ask you to forgive us and mend our ways. Rule in our homes and in all the world; show us how to walk in your paths, through the mercy of our Savior. Amen.

*Please stand in body or in spirit.

*Assurance of Pardon

Hymn of Assurance “Rejoice, O Pure in Heart” (verses 1 and 4) (Those worshipping at home are invited to sing; those worshipping in the sanctuary are invited to hum.)

*Peace

Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

LISTENING IN EXPECTATION Anthem “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (Anton Dvorak) First Lesson Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Moment Second Lesson Philippians 4:1-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “On Being Gentle” Rev. Steven D. Pierce Prayer for a Blessing on the Word

Meditative Music “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (James K. Manley)

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness. Wind, Wind on the sea. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep; then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep, and over the eons you called to each thing, “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” You swept through the dessert, you stung with the sand, and you gifted your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness. Wind, Wind on the sea. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill; then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still. And down in the city you called once again, when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes; from the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams; our women see visions; our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness. Wind, Wind on the sea.

RESPONDING IN FAITH

*Affirmation of Faith (based on Ephesians 4:1-5)

We are called to lead a life worthy of the calling which we have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to the one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Announcements *Instrumental Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” Prayers of the People During the prayers each week, we remember our neighboring faith communities and their leaders. Today we are praying for the staff and congregation of Calvary Church.

Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. During the prayer: Leader: Lord, in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

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.

DEPARTING IN JOY Hymn “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (see end of order of worship for music) (Those worshipping at home are invited to sing; those worshipping in the sanctuary are invited to hum.)

*Benediction and Blessing

Leader: Whoever you are, wherever you go in God’s wide world, Whatever happens to you of good or ill, always remember that . . . People: Jesus is Lord! Leader: The blessing of God be with you, the love of Jesus fill you, and the power of the Holy

Spirit sustain you, now and forever. People: Amen.

Postlude “Trumpet Tune in D Major” (David N. Johnson)

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Cover Art: John 4 - The Shepherd © 2020 P. Solomon Raj | Eyekons “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” words and music: James K. Manley

Permissions via CCLI license #2931504 and One License #729524A.

WORSHIP LEADERS Preacher: Rev. Steven D. Pierce

Liturgist: Jodi MacLean Director of Music Ministries: Taemin Han

Principal Organist: Norma de Waal Malefyt Vocalists: Carlos Lemagne, Kathryn Becksvoort

Video Tech: Alex Grigoriev Sound Tech: Nick Loubert

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (verses 1 and 2)

Central Reformed Church

10 College Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

616.456.1773 centralreformedchurch.org

Connecting all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service.