THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

10:00 A.M.                                                                                               November 16th, 2008

Welcome to each and all.  We are very glad you have come and we trust you will find something of substance to feed your soul in our morning worship.  Please take a moment to sign our pew pad and pass it to the next person in your pew.  When everyone has signed, please pass it back to where it has come from, taking note of the people who share the pew with you.  Perhaps further conversation may emerge for you in the fellowship time following our worship.

FOCUS:  “You do not have to be rich to be generous.  If e has the spirit of true generosity, a pauper can give like a prince.”          - Corrine V. Wells

                   “The greatest mystery of life is that satisfaction is felt not by those who take and make demands but be those who give and make sacrifices. In them alone the energy of life does not fail, and this is precisely what is meant by creativity.                                                           

GATHERING MUSIC:    First Parish Bell Choir:  “Softly and Tenderly”                                                                                                                                                       (Let the chimes call us to a deeper attentiveness to God)

WELCOME / ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHORAL INTROIT             “God Has Gone Up With  A Shout”               - Erickson

*CALL TO WORSHIP:   (adapted from Psalm 122)

(All who are able are invited to stand.  If standing is difficult, please remain comfortably seated.)

            Leader: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

            PEOPLE:  Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.

          Leader:  The people go up to give thanks,

            PEOPLE:  To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

* OPENING HYMN:                         “God of Grace”                                         #477

(The candles are lit and the Bible brought forward at this time to visually represent

the creation of a Holy space in which to worship.)

DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES

CHILDREN’S SERMON:                “Pennies For Peace”

(Children may go to their Church School classes following this time.

                            Visitors are welcome)

ANTHEM:               “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”                - Hildebrand

SCRIPTURE:                                    Matthew 25: 14 - 30                    - Norma Gorham

SERMON:                                        “Tight Fisted Fear”                           Rev. Nielsen

*HYMN OF RESPONSE:               “Lavish Love, Abundant Beauty”                 #58

THE COMMUNITY AT PRAYER:

            SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS

            CALL TO PRAYER                          “O Great Spirit”                            - Erickson

            PASTORAL PRAYER

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER (unison) 

            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.

THE SHARING OF THE OFFERING:

            INVITATION   

            OFFERTORY      First Parish Bell Choir  

            *DOXOLOGY 

             Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures

             here below. Praise God above the heavenly hosts. Creator, Christ,

             and Holy Ghost.  Amen.               (or other  familiar words if preferred)  

     *PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

                                                                                                                                                                                               
 * CLOSING HYMN:                  “Forward Through the Ages”                             # 482

* BENEDICTION                                                                                                 -Rev. Nielsen

* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE:          “Go in Peace”                               #349

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.

Celebrate and share the joy!

Celebrate new life!

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.

POSTLUDE                       “Postlude On Cum Rhonda”        -  Pseudonymous Smith 

wwwwwwww

* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE               “Go In Peace”                 # 349      

* POSTLUDE                           “Postlude on ‘Italian Hymn”                           - Smith