October 24, 2021

October 24, 2021.  

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements 

Introit 

Hymn 783   Amazing Grace. 

Opening Litany

(Adapted from prayers by the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater, from http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/ and by Paul Sauer, used with permission from http://www.lutheranforum.org/) 

Heavenly God, like Job, when we ask for your presence and intervention, we will end up on knees, astounded at your greatness, and humbled by our own unworthiness. Loving God, you hear our prayers; 

Your grace fills our spirits.  

Holy Spirit, when we tearfully share our hopes and dreams with you, you promise a harvest of joy. Fill us with expectations of your goodness. Loving God, you hear our prayers;

Your love fills our hearts.  

Lord Jesus Christ, high priest and intercessor for our sins, help us live as your children, trusting that we are also children of the Heavenly Father. Loving God, you hear our prayers; 

Your hope fills our lives.  

Lord Jesus, healer of Bartimaeus’ blindness, help us see you in this world active in love, and help us see you by our side, so we may walk your way without stumbling.  Loving God, you hear our prayers; 

May your Spirit of grace, love and hope be reflected in all our journeys.   

Yet God, we confess that while we want to be a church ever-reforming, we  often cling to comfortable ways:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

When we want to honor your “still speaking voice”,

but are fearful of insights which challenge old assumptions:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

When we want to live into Jesus’ dream of oneness,

but fail to listen to voices of difference:

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!

Silent Confession 

Hymn 612. In your Mercy, Lord. 

Words of Assurance

Take heart, get up; Jesus is calling to us!

We trust in the one who has guided the church for two millennia.

Through Christ, God forgives us our failings,

and continues to call us into a community of mutual love and forgiveness.  Amen. 

Prayers of the People
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer 

Moment of Gratitude   Claire Cole 

Offerings our Gifts/Remembering God’s Gifts

Hymn 819. “For the Life that You Have Given” 

Scripture. Job 42:1-6, 10-17,   Psalm 34: 1-8.   Elissa Waldron 

Mark 10:46 – 52. “Healing the Blind Man: A Reader’s Theatre” featuring Parker Tatum and Sophie 

Sermon “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Janel Rice 

Hymn  773  And Can it Be that I should Gain

Benediction