THE MONTH AHEAD

November

         16   Baptism of Jaime Luisa Mullen at the 10:30am service

                 Rainbow Choir 5:00pm

                 Youth Group 5:30pm

         17   Women’s Bible Study at Barb Perry’s home 9:15am

         18   Christian Ed Committee 7:00pm – Note Time Change!

         19   Worship Committee 7:00pm – Guest speaker –                                                                                              All are invited!

         20   Personnel Committee Meeting 6:00pm

                 Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm

         22   PeaceMeal 5:30pm

                 Gibson Brother’s Concert at Peru High School                                       Auditorium 7:00pm. Doors open at 6:00pm

         23   Family Service at 10:30am

         27   Happy Thanksgiving! Office Closed Today!

                           WORSHIP SERVICE

                                           10:30 A.M.

                               November 16^th, 2008

                 Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

                           WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE:                                                                                             *CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                            Lift up your eyes, seeking to know your God,                             Attune your spirit to the One in whom we dwell.                       God’s love surrounds us here today.                                              God calls us to be children of light.                                                We belong to the day when we have faith.                               We live confidently in the hope of salvation.                            We seek to be faithful to the best we know.                                We want to invest the talents God gives us.                               Faithfulness gives us a sense of greater abundance.                   Doing justice adds to our sense of worth and dignity.                 We are here to build up one another.                                             May our worship encourage each of us today.

*HYMN: “Take My Life and Let It Be”                 #171(SHP)        CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                         PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)                                          We are reluctant to face your judgment, all-knowing God. We know we have not fully invested the talents you have entrusted to us.  We hide them and hoard them, retreating into a false sense of security.  We live in the nighttime of self-protection rather than in the light of full participation in loving, faithful service. We seek to escape your wrath by shrinking from life rather than investing ourselves in the tasks to which you call us. Have mercy on us, O God.  We want to be children of the day – your day. Help us! Amen.

PERSONAL PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Silence)                     ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                                    *GLORIA PATRI – HYMNAL #579                                                     *THE PEACE                                                                                       The Lord be with you.                                                            And also with you.                                                                                (Greet those about you, sharing signs of peace and reconciliation)

                         WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

FIRST READING: Judges 4:1-7                             p. 218          The Word of the Lord!                                                         Thanks be to God                                                                             ANTHEM:  “I Will Bless The Lord”            Hernandez/arr. Wilson    SECOND READING:  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11             p. 1077      The Word of the Lord!                                                                         Thanks be to God                                                                               HYMN: “Baptized in Water”  (1st verse only)           #492(P)      BAPTISM of Jamie Luisia Mullen                                                       *HYMN:  “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”         #180(SHP)      GOSPEL READING:  Matthew 25:14-30                 p. 904          The Gospel of the Lord!                                                        All praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ.                                            CHILDREN’S SERMON: Jim Howard                                         SERMON:  “A TERRIBLE WAY TO LIVE”                                                          Rev. Dr. Robert E. Svenson                                    CHORAL RESPONSE:

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER                            PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS                                 OFFERTORY:                                                                                         *DOXOLOGY #592 & PRAYER OF DEDICATION                                  There is no escape from your judgment, O spirit of Holiness, but neither can we flee beyond your limitless love.  We offer an accounting of our stewardship in and beyond the offering of this day. Reshape our lives for joyous, responsive participation in work that builds up the body of Christ. Use what we offer here to bring encouragement and hope to many who have lost a sense of meaning for their lives. Bless us and our offerings.  Amen.

*HYMN: “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”                #329(SHP)      *BENEDICTION                                                                                   Go now in Peace, never be afraid                                           God will go with you each hour of every day.                            Go now in Faith, steadfast, strong and true.                              Know He will guide you in all you do.                                        Go now in Love, and show you believe;                                    Reach out to others so all the world can see.                             God will be there, watching from above.                                    Go now in Peace, in Faith, and in Love.                                    POSTLUDE: