The Bible is full of greetings, and our worship leader greets us in God’s name.
Romans 1:7
To all who are in Christ, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We begin our worship with a silent meditation on our Psalm of the Day during the Prelude. Use this time to focus your hearts and minds on God as he speaks to us through his Word.
Psalm 85
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Toccata in F Major BuxWV 157
Dietrich Buxtehude 1637 – 1707
Ruth Pfister, organ
Our Call to Worship draws us into conversation with our God, and is usually taken from our Psalm of the Day. We address one another and enter God’s presence together.
From Psalm 85
Leader: Because he forgives his own, look to him for unfailing love!
People: Because he covers our sins, we will turn to him for salvation!
Leader: Listen to what God the LORD says!
People: We are his faithful servants: we will listen carefully to his promises!
Leader: Could it be that the Lord will revive his people again? May his faithfulness spring forth!
People: May his love and faithfulness meet as we worship him! May his righteousness and peace kiss!
Leader: Let us worship God!
Having called one another to God’s praise, we turn to God and ask for his presence and power.
From Psalm 85
Gracious God, we come into your presence, seeking your favor, your forgiveness, your restoration, and a revival for our spirits and our church under the blessing of your face. We come seeking a glimpse of your unfailing love, which we have known in the past, and which we long to see beaming upon us once again. Show us all your glorious attributes as we worship: your love and faithfulness; your justice and peace; your righteousness and your mercy. Change us each from within, and form us together into a people among whom your Spirit can be “at home.” We ask it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
With our Song of Praise, we begin our worship by exalting God for who he is and what he has done.
Psalm 85: “Lord, Your Heart in Love Has Yearned”
Text: Irish Psalter (1880), alt. Stager
Tune: ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR 77.77
by George Job Elvey (1859)
(“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”)
Ruth Pfister, organ
LORD, your heart in love has yearned
On your lost and fallen land
Israel’s race is homeward turned,
You have freed your captive band!
You have borne your people’s sin,
Covered all their deeds of ill;
All your wrath is gathered in,
And your burning anger still.
Turn us, keep us, now once more,
God of all our health and peace;
Let your cloud of gloom blow o’er,
From your own your fury cease.
Will you not the storm assuage
On the realm of your desire
Length’ning out from age to age
Your consuming jealous ire?
Will you not in mercy turn?
Turn, and be our life again,
That your people’s hearts may burn
With the gladness of your reign.
Show us now your tender love;
Your salvation, LORD, impart;
I will prove your voice above,
List’ning in my silent heart:
Hearing all the LORD would say
“Peace” to all that own his will:
To his saints that love his way,
“Peace,” and “turn no more to ill.”
You who fear him, close at hand
Now his saving grace you find,
That the glory in our land,
As of old, may dwell and shine!
Mercy now and justice meet,
Peace and truth will yet embrace;
Truth from earth is springing sweet,
Justice looks from her high place.
All his goodness, God will give
Flowing from his bounteous store,
Righteously our God will live,
Justice marching on before!