This week we’ll begin answering the question, “how should I pray?” be taking a look at the Lord’s prayer. This week we focus on the line: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” All of the words that we’ll be using in worship are below. Or, you can download a copy to print here.

PRELUDE                           America, the Beautiful                

CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 82

God has taken his place in the divine council;
   in the midst of the gods he holds judgement:
‘How long will you judge unjustly
   and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
   maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
   deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’
They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
   they walk around in darkness;
   all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
I say, ‘You are gods,
   children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,
   and fall like any prince.’
Rise up, O God, judge the earth;
   for all the nations belong to you!

*HYMN #529     Gather Us In

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Most High and holy God, you have gathered us into your family. You have adopted us as sons and daughters. We are humbled and grateful for this good news. But, you have also called us to be as complete in our love for others as you have for us. We confess that we have fallen short. Whether that means tolerating oppression of the weak and needy or contemplating revenge toward our enemies, our love is incomplete. We ask for your Holy Spirit to help us become as perfect in love as you are. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

ANTHEM            I Turn To You

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – from I John 3:1-3, 14

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.

What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 

And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure… We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. 

HYMN #607        Beautiful One                  Jesus Loves M

SCRIPTURE                        Matthew 5:43-48

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

SERMON             Lord, Teach Us to Pray (Part 1)  

*HYMN #830                    Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ                      

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

AND ALSO WITH YOU.

Lift up your hearts.

WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE.

O Holy God… we lift our hearts in joyful praise:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.

(cont.)

We praise you… until we feast together in your eternal Kingdom

THROUGH CHRIST, WITH CHRIST, IN CHRIST, IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ALL GLORY AND HONOR ARE YOURS, ALMIGHTY GOD, NOW AND FOREVER.  AMEN

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER    Behold the Lamb (see #840)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION & THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

OFFERTORY                      America, the Beautiful  

*BENEDICTION

*SENDING SONG #950   Go Now In Peace