Order of Worship

September 12, 2021, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Theme: DISCIPLESHIP: Identity
Welcoming comments from Rev. Susan
Hymn: Lift High The Cross
Words: George William Kitchin and Michael Robert Newbolt
Red Book number 159 1-3
Music: Sydney Hugo Nicholson
Hymn Leaders: Greg and Larilyn Carpenter
Call to Worship: Offered by Rev. Greta

Leader: Come, friends, to a great celebration. In the midst of trouble, God is with us.

Pastor: We come from our wanderings, our lost places; we bring our struggles, our lost souls.

Leader: God, who created all things, loses nothing. Do not fear: God holds you very close.

Pastor: With hope for life and life eternal, we offer our prayers and praise to God.

Hymn: Lift High The Cross
Words: George William Kitchin and Michael Robert Newbolt
Red Book number 158 Verse 4
Music: Sydney Hugo Nicholson
Hymn Leaders: Greg and Larilyn Carpenter
Pastoral Prayer (with Lord’s Prayer): offered by Rev. Greta
Musical Response: Where He Leads Me
Red Book number 338
Verse 1 and refrain
Words: E. W. Bandy
Music: John S. Norris
Hymn Leader: Greg Carpenter

THE WORD
Musical Setting for Scripture - “Thy Word”
Scripture reading: By Veronica Radowicz
The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Contemporary Message: “Identity” - Rev. Susan
Organ Transition
RESPONSE
Ministry Moment: Offered by Rev. Greta
Prayer of Dedication: Offered by Rev. Greta
All around us, O God, we are reminded that we are not on our own, but our lives intersect with the poor, the hungry, the hopeless, our sisters and brothers. As we seek to follow you, may we share from the abundance you have poured out upon us, so all might experience your grace and life. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Hymn: Where He Leads Me
Red Book number 338
Words: E. W. Bandy
Music: John S. Norris
Hymn Leaders: Greg Carpenter and Larilyn Carpenter
Benediction: offered by Rev. Susan

Postlude:
Prepare for worship next Sunday: by reading Mark 9:30-37.
Floral arrangement donated by: Karen Wilken.