[Please be in a spirit of worship while you are on the phone call. Your phone microphone is very sensitive; what seems quiet in the sanctuary sounds more like a like a thunderstorm or police siren on the phone. Your phone or computer microphone can pick up a whisper or paper shuffling from five feet away.]
Prelude
Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
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
Opening Hymn Lift Up Ye Hands, Ye Mighty Gates
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (unison)
O Christ who chased the money changers from the temple, chase the greed from our lives and our hearts. As you overturned the tables, O Lord, overturn the systems in our world that contribute to cycles of poverty and oppression. Forgive us, O God, of the ways we contribute to the world’s brokenness. Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy. Forgive us, O God, and free us to try again.
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing the Peace of Christ
Prayer for Illumination
Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Special Music The Prayer with Lead Us Lord Covenant Choir
Gospel Lesson John 2:13-22
Message
Hymn of Response When Christ Went to the Temple
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in a God who knows holy anger—a God who stands with the underdog, who passionately protects the suffering, and who overturns systems of corruption. We believe in a God who leads by example: feeding the hungry, welcoming the children, offering water to the Samaritan, eating with the tax collector, healing the sick, preaching from the mountaintop, and offering second chances. We believe in a God who knew that we would lose our way, and still said, “This is my body broken for you.” We believe in a God who knew our capacity for mistakes, and still said, “I'm going to prepare a place for you.” And because of this love, we believe that God shows us the way, again and again and again. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Musical Response
Stewardship Moment
Prayer of Thanksgiving for our Blessings
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Closing Hymn Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Benediction
