Lakeville United Church of Christ 5687 Big Tree Road Lakeville, New York 14480 January 20, 2008 10:30 a.m. Second Sunday after Epiphany God is Still Speaking,

No matter who, no matter what,

no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Welcome and Announcements

A Time for Gathering

* Opening Hymn #435 (Brown) I Love to Tell the Story

* Call to Worship

One: Have you understood God's thoughts toward us?

Have you listened to glad news of deliverance?

Many: We are here to receive God's message.

Our hearts are open to the Word we will hear.

One: Listen, all who are near and all who are far away;

God is calling us as servants and as saints.

Many: Usually we do not think of ourselves in that way.

We resist lowly roles, but we do not aspire to sainthood.

One: Do not be afraid to serve God with your whole being.

Neither fear the Call to join the saints of Jesus Christ.

Many: We trust that God will strengthen us for our tasks.

We are ready to be led into new responsibilities.

* Prayer: God we wait for you to hear our cries. We come from desperate situations and many moments of despair. Then, when you call us together, we are challenged to be and to do more than we have already faced. We have spent our strength. How can we do more? Will you renew us here? We feel that we have labored in vain. Will you help us make sense out of our failures? Come with your saving help. Amen

*Call to Confession: We become complacent, and our focus narrows to our own immediate concerns. Let us return to God for cleansing from our complacency.

*Prayer of Confession: We come back to you, Gracious God, to renew our commitment. We confess that pride has led us to embrace false gods. We spend more time with our hobbies than with your cause. We pay more attention to our toys than to your truth. We sometimes forget that we have been named and baptized and commissioned for service. O God, bring us back to you. Amen.

* Assurance of Forgiveness: We are empowered by God's steadfast love and faithfulness to become all we are meant to be. Sing a new song of praise to our God!

* Gloria Patri (Brown hymnal: back page)

A Time for Stewardship

Offertory Invitation: Nothing can compare to God's wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us. We can only respond with trust and joy and generosity.

Offering of Music: Voices raised in Song

Presentation of our Treasure: The offering is collected at this time.

* Doxology

* Prayer of Dedication: God of the saints in every age and time, we are grateful for the privilege of worshipping you this day. Because of your generosity, we have not lacked for anything we really need. Grant now that our words and deeds may follow our offering into loving service in your realm. Amen.

Chatting with our Children

Reflection: Steve Johnson

Scripture Readings:

Hebrew Scriptures: Psalm 139:12-14;

Isaiah 44:23-25; Jeremiah 1:4-6

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Sermon: “Blatant or Invisible: God’s Call is Personal”

Hymn #531 (Black) God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak

A Time for Prayer

Sharing Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer – followed by the Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Commission and Blessing

*Hymn # 495 (Black) Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (1^st vs. only)

One: God remains steadfast and faithful.

We will be strengthened for all of life's journey.

Many: We put our trust in God for all time and eternity.

We will delight to do God's will.

Amen. Amen

A Time to Depart

* Fellowship Circle Let There Be Peace on Earth

* Benediction

*Please stand in body or in spirit.

Bold print indicates unison.