All Original Prayers by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, permission to use with credit
Prelude Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Fernando Ortega
Opening Prayer (1)
O Holy God,
like Isaiah the prophet, we stand in awe of Your glory,
feeling tremendously small and polluted by our sin,
and the sin of our society.
Even so, You touch us with Your burning presence,
and we are made clean and whole.
O God, our Creator,
continue to build this household of faith into what You want us to be.
O Christ, our Savior,
lead us to do as You will.
O Spirit, our Power,
strengthen us for the work of the Kingdom.
Amen.
Call to Worship (Response is Isaiah 6:3) (2)
Glory in God’s holy name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
99:9Exalt the Lord our God. Worship at his holy hill,
for the Lord our God is holy.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
145:17The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
145:21My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.
Let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Call to Confession
John Calvin, whose work and theology are the basis for the Reformed tradition, including our Presbyterian faith, notes that when we compare ourselves to others, we may think highly of ourselves. But when we compare ourselves to God’s absolute holiness and goodness, we see how far we fall short of who God created us to be. Let us be reminded of God’s holiness and our need for forgiveness.
Prayer of Confession (from Isaiah 6:1-7)
O Holy Lord, when we see that just the hem of your robe fills the whole temple, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
When the six-winged seraphim attend you, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
As the angels proclaim that the whole earth is full of your glory, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
When the thresholds shake and the place is filled with smoke, we know we are a people of unclean lips.
Woe to us! When we see you, O King and Lord of hosts, we know we are lost because we know we are a people of unclean lips.
(Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
God touches us with burning coal,
and our guilt departs, our sin is blotted out.
Thanks be to God for the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Gloria Patri: (Blue #579) Glory Be to the Father
Prayers of the People/Lord’s Prayer (traditional)
Celebration of Birthdays and Anniversaries
Hymn of Dedication Just As I Am, Without One Plea
Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come! I come
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind Sight, riches, healing of the mind
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Doxology (Blue, #592) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
(1) From prayer based on Isaiah 6 from My Redeemer Lives website.
http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html
(2) 1 Chronicles 16:10; Psalm 99:9; Psalm 145:17, 21. King James Version.
Prayer of Dedication Blessed are you, God of all creation;
through your goodness we have these gifts to share.
Accept and use all that we give and all that we are
for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord
Take thou our minds, dear Lord, we humbly pray;
give us the mind of Christ each passing day;
teach us to know the truth that sets us free;
grant us in all our thoughts to honor thee.
Old Testament Reading (NRSV) Isaiah 6:1-8
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
What comes before “Here I Am”? Rev. Barb Hedges-Goettl
Affirmation of Faithfrom the Westminster Confession of Faith
God alone is the Holy One.
There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, and incomprehensible.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is almighty; most wise, most holy, most free, and most absolute,
God alone is the Holy One.
God works all things according to the counsel of his own immutable
and most righteous will for his own glory,
God alone is the Holy One.
God is most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness
and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom,
are all things.
God alone is the Holy One.
God is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.
God alone is the Holy One.
To him is due from angels and from human beings, and every other creature, worship, service, and obedience for
God alone is the Holy One.
Closing Hymn Here I Am, Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c
[Verse 1] I, the Lord of sea and sky; I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin. My hand will save
[Chorus] Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. [Chorus]
[Verse 2] I, who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? [Chorus]
[Verse 3] I, the Lord of snow and rain
I have borne my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them They turn away [Chorus]
Charge and Benediction
Postlude Holy is the Lord Twila Paris
katyandtheword 