August 12, 2007

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Preparation for Worship

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.

Psalm 139

Just as I am, without one plea 

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

     And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,   O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about  

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

     Fightings and fears within, without,   O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,  

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

     Because Thy promise I believe,   O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown  

Has broken every barrier down;

     Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,   O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

"Just As I Am"  W. Bradbury

Today is the nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the longest portion of the church year. There is nothing ordinary about Ordinary Time as the term comes from the word “ordinal” which means to tell the rank (First, Second, Third, etc.) During the summer season we have switched the sanctuary around with the pulpit in the middle of the chancel area and the Lord’s Table in front of the pulpit. This change allows us to realize the centrality of the Word read and proclaimed in our worship. The Baptismal font, Lord’s Table, Pulpit, and Cross in the sanctuary all align in the middle of our sanctuary.

     Our worship today focuses on the extraordinary depth and breadth of God's love for all people. This is a love that will not let us go and meets us just as we are.  These expressions of God's love are reflected in the hymns and service music we use to offer our praise, prayers, and petitions to God this morning.  The offertory is a setting of the German hymn text/tune, "Jesus, Priceless Treasure," which speaks of our thirst for Christ's love above all earthly treasure.  The text appears as hymn 365 in our hymnal and you may wish to reflect on this text during the offertory. 

      The postlude "Salamanca," written by Swiss composer Guy Bovet in 1986, is based on a folk song that tells of a woman of questionable repute who shocks everyone by visiting the Spanish Cathedral of Salamanca to pray for God's forgiveness. Just as we read in today's Gospel lessons, this postlude serves to remind us that no matter our circumstances or station in life, God is waiting to welcome us and embrace us with his mercy and love.

     Please welcome today, our guest preacher, Rev. Rod Johnson {Retired} Rod is a graduate of North Park College and Theological Seminary of Chicago. He is father to two grown children, Jenny and Paul, and has pastored two churches; he was minister at Arbor Covenant in Madison for twenty-two years, and minister at the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ in Rockton IL for eight years. Many of you are familiar with Rod’s contributions on the Worship Committee, his work with our Christian Education efforts and his role in the Chancel Choir.