The Rev. Norm Evans steps into our pulpit to share one of the most beloved parables of the New Testament, the story of the prodigal son; he pairs it with a lesser known, but no less beautiful passage from Hosea: God, as our loving parent.
You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome.
Worthiness: Am I Loved?
Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9; Luke 15:11-32
Union Presbyterian Church
August 18, 2024
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Cindy Surrena Preacher: Rev. Norm Evans
Welcome
Announcements Cindy Surrena
Prelude Colin DeLap
“This Is Amazing Grace,” Phillip Keveren.
© 2016, Sing My Songs.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
* Call to Worship Cindy Surrena
We come to worship this morning in the name of the Father, in whom we live ... and move ... and have our being. And we come trying to understand who we might be as God’s children.
We dare to stand before the Holy Mystery, in obedience to the Call that confronts us.
We come to worship this morning in the name of the Son, Jesus, the “Event” that draws us in, or away, that invites our “Yes” or “No”.
We are called to receive Jesus as God’s own Word. We would call him both our Lord and our Savior.
We come to worship this morning as those who would be servants of the Spirit, holy and beyond our imagining, that we might once again burn like fire and be transformers of the world.
We are called to be the Church, ever able to hear God’s Word, see God’s judgements, and have a vision of the Resurrection.
* Hymn #492 PH
“Baptized in Water,” Michael A. Saward, Dale Grotenhuis
Text: ©1982, Hope Publishing Company
Music: ©1987, CRC Publications
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Cleansed by the blood of Christ, our King;
Heirs of salvation, trusting the promise,
Faithfully now God's praises we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Dead in the tomb with Christ, our King;
One with his rising, freed and forgiven
Thankfully now God's praises we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
Marked with the sign of Christ, our King;
Born of the Spirit, we are God's children,
Joyfully now God's praises we sing.
* Call to New Life
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and perfect.”
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace
We pray that someday an arrow will be broken,
not in something or someone, but by each of humankind,
to indicate peace, not violence.
Someday, oneness with creation, rather than domination over creation,
will be the goal to be respected.
Someday fearlessness to love and make a difference
will be experienced by all people.
Then the eagle* will carry our prayer for peace and love, and
the people of the red, white, yellow, brown, and black communities
can sit in the same circle together to communicate in love
and experience the presence of the Great Mystery in their midst.
Someday can be today for you and for me. Amen.
(Wanda Lawrence, Chippewa, 20th century)
* An eagle in Native American tradition is often a carrier of prayer.
* Words of Assurance
If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us remission of all our sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
* Sharing of the Peace
May the peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.
Scripture Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the more they went from me;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals,
and offering incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them up in my arms;
but they did not know that I healed them.
I led them with cords of human kindness,
with bands of love.
I was to them like those
who lift infants to their cheeks.
I bent down to them and fed them.
How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
I will not execute my fierce anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
Time for Young Disciples “How Old Are You?” Rev. Norm Evans
Music: “Guide My Feet”
(Public Domain)
Anthem Bonnie DeForest
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” Thomas A. Dorsey
©1938, renewed, Unichappell Music, Inc.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Scripture Luke 15:11-32 Rev. Norm Evans
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Worthiness: Am I Loved?” Rev. Norm Evans
* Statement of Faith (Apostles’ Creed – Ecumenical Version)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
* Hymn #171 PH
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
(Public Domain)
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadest a table in my sight;
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.
Prayers of the People
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.
Prayer Response #489 W & R
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” Ken Medema
©1973, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace.
Call for Offering
* Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” Brian Wren
©1989, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
* Prayer of Dedication
* Hymn #280 PH
“Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
(Public Domain)
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
* Benediction
Postlude Colin DeLap
“Praise Him! Praise Him!” Fanny Crosby and Chester Allen.
©2011, Hal Leonard Corporation.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.
“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.
“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal