January 22 – Called together

Today, we are called to come home, together. We welcome you to this house, and hope you find the peace you need in your life, and may you become the peace we need in this world.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Intonation, Versets, and Finale – Carissimi

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: As Jesus of Nazareth, God teaches people many things.
All: One thing Jesus wants the world to learn is that God is wiser than human wisdom.
One: Jesus teaches us of our need for God.
All: We discover that God fills people with emotion.
One: God enables us to share in another person’s joy!
All: God also moves us to share in another’s sorrow.
One: God helps us to see others through God’s eyes.
All: God helps us to ‘see God’ in everyone.
One: God teaches us to hunger for God’s justice for all.
All: Christ Jesus proclaims, “God’s truth sets all people free.”

*HYMN – Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – #389

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Gracious Giver of Light, into the shadows of our isolation you speak words of life and community.

Challenger of Souls, you call us to venture beyond the familiar, safe places which we think of as home, and you boldly lead us out into the big, wide world you love so much.

Through your gentle, healing touch; you redeem broken places in our lives,
and you heal the wounds of all the earth.

Healing Spirit, breathe new life into us during this time of worship.

Led by your Word, may we live as ambassadors of your reconciling love.
We praise you for calling us to ‘come home’ to you. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – We Have Come into His House (Verses 1 and 2) – #36

We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Him,
We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Him;
We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Him;
O, worship HIm, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Let’s forget about ourselves,
and magnify His name and worship Him,
Let’s forget about ourselves,
and magnify His name and worship Him;
Let’s forget about ourselves,
and magnify His name and worship Him;
O, worship HIm, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 27:1, 4-9, 13-14 and Isaiah 9:1-2

SPECIAL MUSIC – We Are His People – Cotter

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 4:12-23

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Called as Partners in Christ’s Service – worship book, p. 32

Called as partners in Christ’s service
Called to ministries of grace
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace
May we learn the art of sharing
Side by side and friend with friend
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfil God’s chosen end

Christ’s example Christ’s inspiring
Christ’s clear call to work and worth
Let us follow never faltering
Reconciling folk on earth
Men and women richer poorer
All God’s people young and old
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission
In a small or global sense
Help us bear each other’s burdens
Breaking down each wall or fence
Words of comfort words of vision
Words of challenge said with care
Bring new power and strength for action
Make us colleagues free and fair

So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife
Make us partners in our living
Our compassion to increase
Messengers of faith thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Praeludium – Van Den Gheyn