Last week we heard that David would succeed Saul as king of Israel. This week we follow along as Solomon succeeds David and builds God a house. What has he learned? How have the people grown? All the words that we’ll be using in worship are below. Or, you can download a copy to print here.

PRELUDE                          David Crowther

CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 31

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
   do not let me ever be put to shame;
   in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
   rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
   a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
   for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
   but I trust in the Lord.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
   because you have seen my affliction;
   you have taken heed of my adversities,

Love the Lord, all you his saints.
   The Lord preserves the faithful,
   but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
   all you who wait for the Lord.

*HYMN #776     A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Most High and holy God, you hear our prayers and promise to be a place of rest for us. You have invited us to commit our lives to you and trust you as a strong fortress to protect us. But, when the pains of grief and sadness settle on us we are tempted to seek safety in our own ways. And, we can do so at the expense of others. Bless us with your Spirit so that we can find a deeper trust and a greater courage to trust in you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

ANTHEM            Be Alright

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – from Ephesians 2

So Jesus came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 

for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 

in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

SPECIAL MUSIC David Crowther

SCRIPTURE                        I Kings 8:1-13

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. All the people of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the festival in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark. So they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up. King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 

Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles. The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside; they are there to this day. There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had placed there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Then Solomon said,
‘The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
I have built you an exalted house,
   a place for you to dwell in for ever.’

SERMON                           What Kind of Life Are You Building?

*HYMN #578                    Forever

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                      David Crowther

*DOXOLOGY #964

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