South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

July 2, 2006 

Let the prelude be a curtain of music which brings us into the sanctuary to worship God.
 Let necessary conversation be gentle and the preparation we make together be prayerful.

PRELUDE                           Simple Gifts             arr. Polhamus and Schaum

WELCOME                                                                                            
     Introduction of Visitors and Guests
     Farewell and Blessing to the Stocker Family                                                   Exchange of Peace
          The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.
               And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                               Psalm 67

God be gracious to us and bless us
and make your face to shine upon us.

That your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the people praise you, O God;
Let all the people praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.

You judge the people with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the people praise you, O God;
Let all the people praise you.

* HYMN                 O Beautiful for Spacious Skies                 # 440 blue

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                (unison)

Merciful God, we know that you love us and that you call us to fullness of life, but around us and within us we see the brokenness of the world and of our ways. Our successes leave us empty; our progress does not satisfy. Our prosperous land is not the land of our longing. Forgive our willful neglect of your word, our insensitivity to the needs of others, and our failure to feed the spirit that is within us; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness

DUET                     Capriccio Johann Vierdank
Alison McCarron, Nancy Miller

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Communion Prayer

God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God most high.

Prayer of Consecration

Breaking the Bread and Pouring the Cup

Pastor: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is offered for us.

People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Sharing the Elements by the Deacons

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                  (unison)
O God, you have opened wide your hands and satisfied the desire of your living creatures.  As we have been invited here, may we be inviting elsewhere.  As we have been accepted here, may we be accepting elsewhere.  As we have been forgiven here, may we be forgiving elsewhere.  As we have been so generously provided for, may we be generous in providing for others.  Strengthen now our faith, increase our love for one another, and teach us to love and serve you.  Through Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen

* HYMN                       O God of Every Nation                        # 289 red

During the hymn children may move, with adult volunteers, to summer Sunday school. Parents may pick up their children after the service on the North lawn.

SCRIPTURES        John 8:31-36,   Galatians 5:1

SERMON          For freedom Christ has set us free               Dr. Mutti
                 The Bible’s Best Words, 2006 Summer Series #3                    

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD
Invitation
Offertory                 Chorus from Maccabaeus                     G.F. Handel
                                                           Minuet One                                      J.S. Bach

* Doxology                                                                                             

* Dedication Prayer                                                                               

* HYMN                     My Country, ‘Tis of Thee                      # 561 red
                                     (written in Andover in 1831)

* BENEDICTION

* RESPONSE                    Go Now In Peace                               Don Besig

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 God 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                     National Hymn                       arr. Karen Keene

Participating in Today's Service:
Deacon: Dave Sleight
Piano: Julie Diehl
Violin: Sean Diehl, Alison McCarron,
Lauren McCarron, Nancy Miller, Connor Stuart

The flowers today are given for the glory of God
by the Memorial Flower Fund.

 

Scriptures For This Day               New Revised Standard Version

John 8:31-36

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.