PRELUDE: Ornament of Grace by Bernard Wayne Sanders; J. Scott Janusch, oboe
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
INTROIT: Behold, a Sower! Early American Hymn “Leander”/arr. by Crawford R. Thornburn
Behold a Sower! From afar goes onward forth with might; the rolling years the furrows are, the see, the growing light; for all the just God’s Word is sown, it springeth up always; the tender blade is hope’s young dawn, the harvest, love’s new day. O Lord of life, to you we lift our hearts in praise for those, your prophets, who have shown Your gift of grace that ever grows, of truth that spreads from shore to shore, of wisdom’s widening ray, of light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Shine forth, O Light, that we may see, with hearts all unafraid, the meaning and the mystery of things that You have made; shine forth, and let the long dark past beneath the beam grow bright; shine forth, and touch the future vast with Your untroubled light. Light up Your Word; the ancient page from all past bondage free, light up our way; lead forth this age in love’s large liberty. Oh, Light of light! Within us dwell, through us Your radiance pour, that word of life all truth may tell, and praise You ever-more! [Washington Gladden]
PRAYER OF PRAISE
HYMN: We Praise You, O God [Kremser]
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SONG OF GRATEFUL PRAISE: Praise God, All You Nations [Da n’ase]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 13:1-23
HYMN: O Word of God Incarnate [Munich]
SERMON: “Soul Soil, Part 2”
ANTHEM: God, Stir the Soil by Roland E. Martin; J. Scott Janusch, oboe
God stir the soil, run the plough-share deep, over-turn the hard, dry ground. Spare no strength, nor toil, even though I weep. In the loose, fresh-mangled earth sow new seed. Free of withered vine and weed, bring fair flowers to birth. God stir the soil. [prayer from Singapore]
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
HYMN: Lead Me, Guide Me [Lead Me, Guide Me]
BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE: Scatter Us, Lord by St. Catherine/arr. by R.G. Huff
Scatter us, Lord, to serve you well. May we be bold to go, to tell. Outside these walls the people wait: some without hope, and some without faith. Fill us with patience, love and grace. Scatter us, Lord, beyond this place.
POSTLUDE: Elegy by Alec Wyton; J. Scott Janusch, oboe
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