The Bible is a story from front to back, a story that continues on in our lives today. Each fall we begin the Narrative Lectionary. It’s a set of passages chosen ahead of time that helps see how the story of God unfolds and how we might find our way into it together. All the words that we’ll be using in worship this week are below. Or, you can download a copy to print here.

PRELUDE                                                  Come, Now Is the Time to Worship

CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 104

Bless the Lord, O my soul.
   O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
   wrapped in light as with a garment.

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
   In wisdom you have made them all;
   the earth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
   creeping things innumerable are there,
   living things both small and great.
There go the ships,
   and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

These all look to you
   to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up;
   when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
   when you take away their breath, they die
   and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
   and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;
   may the Lord rejoice in his works—
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
   who touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
   I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
   for I rejoice in the Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord!

*HYMN #4                                                                                 God of Wonders

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Most High and holy God, you have formed and fashioned the world. You have sculpted and sustained the earth and all that live on it. Each of us has been knit together by your hands. We confess that we take this world for granted. How we live damages the earth. We can fail to see your handiwork in those who share our humanity. Share your Spirit with us so that we might share in your appreciation and compassion for all that you’ve made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

ANTHEM                                                                  Lord Most High (see #593)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – from Hebrews 11:1-3, 12:1-2

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

*HYMN #26                                     He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands

SCRIPTURE                                                                                  Genesis 1-:2:4a

SERMON                          It All Starts With Creation                                         

*HYMN #10                                               We Sing the Mighty Power of God

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                                                                                  Abide With Me

*DOXOLOGY #965

Inclusive lyrics:                              Praise God, from whom all blessings flow

                                                                  Praise God, all creatures here below

                                                                   Praise God, above ye heavenly host

                                                                           Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost

*BENEDICTION

*SENDING SONG #491                                              Hallelujah, Salvation, & Glory