CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of Word and Sacrament
September 4, 2022
Welcome: Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Prelude "In The Secret" Park
Gathering ( leader/people) Liturgist: Ed Rawson
In the midst of war and division, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end.
In the midst of devastation and loss, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end.
In the midst of change and uncertainty, we wait for God:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God!
*Hymn “Here in This Place” GTG # 401
Here in this place, new light is streaming,
now is the darkness vanished away.
See, in this space, our fears and our dreamings,
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in - the lost and forsaken,
gather us in - the blind and the lame.
Call to us now, and we shall awaken,
we shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young - our lives are a mystery,
we are the old - who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in - the rich and the haughty,
gather us in - the proud and the strong.
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly,
give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we will take the wine and the water,
here we will take the bread of new birth.
Here you shall call your sons and your
daughters,
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion,
give us to eat the bread that is you.
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Not in the dark of buildings confining,
not in some heaven, light years away,
but here in this place, the new light is
shining;
now is the Kingdom, now is the day.
Gather us in - and hold us forever,
gather us in - and make us your own.
Gather us in - all peoples together,
fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
Call to Confession
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sin, God who is faithful, washes us clean. With one heart and voice, let us pray
Prayer of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess that we are not ready for your holy realm. You guide us toward right paths, but we refuse to follow where you lead. You love and feed and care for us, but we fail to love and serve others. Forgive us, merciful God, so that we may return to your fold and rejoice in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A time of silent prayer…
Assurance of Pardon
The power of God, has saved us: grace is given to us in Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light.The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you
Turn to those near to you—or across the room—and smile, nod your head, indicating that your share these blessings with one another
Prayer for Understanding
Nurturing God, you give life to all things and long to satisfy the needs of your children in their desire for healing and wholeness. Send your Spirit upon us this day, that as we hear your word we may meet Jesus, and be renewed in our commitment to follow his way. Amen.
Reading from the Gospels Luke 16:19-31NRS
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'
He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Sermon “Rejoice in Hope” The Rev. Lois Robinson Lehman
*Affirmation of Faith from the Confession of Belhar (3)
We believe that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit has conquered the powers of sin and death, and therefore also of irreconciliation and hatred, bitterness and enmity;
that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit will enable the church to live in a new obedience which
can open new possibilities of life for society and the world; that
the credibility of this message is seriously affected and its beneficial work obstructed
when it is proclaimed in a land which professes to be Christian, but in which
the enforced separation of people on a racial basis promotes and perpetuates alienation,
hatred and enmity;
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Minute for Mission FAST Kitty Rawson
Offering our Gifts
We bring nothing into this world, and when we depart from this life we will take nothing out of it. All that we have is a gift from God; therefore let us offer our lives to the Lord.
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 “How Great is Our God” Tomlin
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We give you thanks and praise, generous God,for every good gift that comes from your hand: for food and clothing, for life and health, for family and friends, above all for the treasure of your grace. Make us rich in good works, generous and ready to share, taking hold of the life that really is life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
The Invitation
Communion Hymn “Come to the Table of Grace” GTG #507
The Words of Institution
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy God…through long generations you have been faithful to your people.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!
Spirit come – come and live in us: in this bread, in this cup, in your people, one in the body, one in the blood; one with Christ, one in ministry, in this place, in every place; in this world, in the world to come. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer (sung)
Distribution of Elements
Prayer after Communion (unison)
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life. Send us out to answer the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new life, and to follow him with joy and gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all
we do may show forth his love. AMEN
*Hymn “O God of Every Nation” GTG #756
Announcements
Charge
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
Blessing
May the sovereign Lord bless you, may the Christ of mercy keep you, and the Holy Spirit sustain you, n this life and the life to come.
Postlude “We Are The Light” Jobe
Every secret, every shame Every fear, every pain Live inside the dark
But that's not who we are We are children of the day
So wake up, sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows, conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left
We are the light of the world We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world and
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
We are the light of the world We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world and
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine, let the light shine, let the light shine
We are called to spread the news To tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His name
So let His love break through
We are the light of the world…
Jesus, you are the light, You are the light, You are the light
We will lift you high and shine, shine, shine
We are the light of the world…