PENNSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
READING PA 19606

“We Are Sent to Serve”

February 5, 2012
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Pastor: Rev. David J. Duquette
Organist: Donna Shiffer
Assisting Elder: Pete Raetsch

5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Welcome & Announcements
Prelude

WE GATHER TOGETHER
Call to Worship:
L: When we look at the night sky, speckled with stars,
P: we discover the never-ending imagination of our God.
L: When we pick those not chosen on life's playgrounds,
P: we join Christ in the ministry of healing and hope.
L: When we set aside the time for prayer, as well as wonder,
P: we meet the Spirit who is at our side in every moment.

Prayer of the Day
From the very first tale told around family tables to that last word written in the book of time, you tell us the story of your love and joy.
From the foundation laid in Eden's valleys to the ever-open gates of the new Jerusalem, you build a home for every single one of your children. How good it is to sing your glory, Heart of Creation!
Into the abandoned areas of our lives, you come - shushing the little imps who whisper in our ears of our failings and foolishness. When we seem unable to listen to your hopes for us, you sit down at the edge of our hearts, once again retelling the story of your love and grace. How good it is to sing your name, Healer of broken lives.
When our dreams dry up and turn to dust, you gather them up and shape them into a future which surprises us. When we would pull shut the curtains of our compassion, you yank them open, so we can see those we are called to serve.

How good it is to sing your peace, Spirit of patience.
How good it is to sing your praises, God in Community, Holy in One, our Rock, our Refuge, our Strength. Amen.

*Songs of Praise
“Shout to the Lord”
“Blessed Be Your Name”

Invitation to Confession: It is in the deserted moments of our lives, when we realize how we have failed to love, to act, to be God's children, that Jesus comes, not only praying for us, but holding us, mending us, sending us forth as new people. Let us come to our God, speaking of those things we would rather forget, so we may once again hear the words of healing and hope.

 Prayer of Confession:
In that effort to cross the finish line of achievement, Always Listening God, we know we have rushed by those we could have stopped to help. In our attempts to climb the ladder of success, we know we have pushed past those who were too weary to continue and were looking for encouragement. In our channel-surfing for the next big thing, the new guru, the bestseller which would change our lives, we pass over that quiet place where we could listen to your heart, and find our true home.

Forgive us, God who hears our hearts. In setting aside false pride, may we reach down to lift up the fallen. In letting go of that security which only deludes us, may we place our lives into your hopeful future. In turning from the stress which controls our lives, may we find the One who leads us into the kingdom of hope and joy, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept for personal reflection and repentance

 Declaration of Pardon:
L:    No matter how many times it is said, it bears repeating: God loves us, God forgives us, God heals us, God restores us to new life.
P: This is Good News! God listens to our words, fills us with grace, and sends us forth to proclaim the gospel to others. Thanks be to God. Amen.

 Children’s Sermon

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Hymn: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
Prayer for Illumination
First Reading Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Special Music
Gospel Reading Mark 1:29-39
Message “ Casting Out Demons” Rev. Duquette

WE GIVE THANKS
Offering
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer

WE ARE SENT TO SERVE
*Hymn of Service: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
*Sending
*Benediction
*Closing Song “Amen”
Postlude

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Meaning of the Liturgical Color: Green is used for other time periods not marked by a specific season (called Ordinary Time) to represent spiritual growth.

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