February 5 – Restoring Beauty

We’re glad to have you with us today to hear about the restorative power of God’s love! As is our custom on the first Sunday of the month, we will be celebrating communion today. If you are worshipping from home, please gather the elements before worship so you may partake with us. All are welcome at Christ’s table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Romanza – Hebble

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Let your light shine, people of God!
All: Let us give glory to God!
One: You and I are blessed!
All: We are called to be God’s lights in the world!
One: We can be the salt of the earth.
All: God is within each one of us, inviting us to live with flair and flavor!
One: No eye has seen,
All: No ear has heard,
One: No human heart has imagined
All: What God has prepared for those who love God!

*HYMN – ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – #358

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end. [Refrain]

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Wonderful God, we gather today to celebrate your presence in the lives of people everywhere. We are full of joy this morning, God! We praise you for leading us through all of the challenges of our yesterdays and our tomorrows.
Come close now, Eternal God. Guide us toward becoming faithful beacons of your holy Light.
God of Breath-taking Beauty; may we see you in the brightness of the sunlight as it streams down upon your world. May we recognize you in blossoms-to-be that, for now, remain beneath the ground. Each moment, your miracles and your promises of new life are coming alive! Amen.

*RESPONSE – You Are the Light (verses 1 and 2) – worship booklet, p. 100

You are the LIght we see. You are the Truth we know.
You are the Life we live.
You are the Hope, You are the Joy,
You are the Song we sing.

Within our hearts Your light. Within our minds Your truth.
Within our lives Your love.
Living Your hope, Spreading Your Joy,
Singing Your beautiful song.

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 5:13-20

SPECIAL MUSIC – All Things Bright and Beautiful – arr. Hassell

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 112:1, 4-7 & Isaiah 58:1-11

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Here, O My Lord, I See Thee – #259

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand th’eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;
Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heav’n;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load;
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv’n.

I have no help but Thine; nor do I need
Another arm save Thine to lean upon;
It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.

Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness;
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
They blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at Christ’s Table.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations – #524

We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.

Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.

We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil,
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain]

We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigneth above
Hath sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love. [Refrain]

We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world’s great peoples
May come to the truth of God,
May come to the truth of God! [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Toccata – Speth