CCLI license #1913561
Welcome: Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Questions for Reflection: Does wealth influence how you think of others? The poor? The rich?
Prelude “I'd Rather Have Jesus” AAHH #392
Gathering
We have gathered today in the hope that a glimpse of Jesus may change our lives.
We want to change ourselves, our church, and our society.
We know that such change is difficult, like a leopard changing its spots.
God is in the midst of us and with God all things are possible.
Be still and know that God is God.
Let us worship our God, our rock and our redeemer.
Opening Prayer
God of Grace, you cover us with mercy and uphold us in times of trouble. Even when evil is all around, you show us a vision of justice and empower us with your own Spirit, so that we do not lose hope.
All thanks and praise to you, O God, for you come to save us and set us free. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
*Hymn “Jesus Call Us” GTG #720
Prayer for Understanding
God, through the power of your Holy Spirit, open us to your Word that we would hear what you would say to us today; through Jesus Christ, who invites us to welcome him in, even before we are ready or worthy. Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures: Joel 2: 23—32 NRSV
O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great of army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord you God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again, be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of
Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
Reading from the Gospel of Luke 19: 1—10 NRSV
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.
All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
Hymn “Be Still, My Soul” GTG #819
Sermon “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” The Rev. Russell Lehman
*Affirmation of Faith from “A Brief Statement of Faith” pcusa
In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
(This is the Ecumenical Version; feel free to use the words of your choice)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Statement about Offering our Gifts
In sharing ourselves we reflect God’s vision of love and justice for the world. Let us give freely, so that the ministry of Jesus Christ may flourish in this community and beyond.
Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” Newton/Tomlin
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all peoples, we ask you to bless these tithes and offerings, that our gifts may embody your vision of the kingdom and bless those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and seeking justice; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Hymn “Lead On, O King Eternal!” GTG # 269
Announcements
Charge and Benediction
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
May the grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surround you,
and the Holy Spirit keep you, this day and forevermore.
Postlude “How He Loves Us” Jesus Culture