Celebration in WorshipTwelfth Sunday after Pentecost

September 1, 2019

We believe the words of Jesus reflect the heart of the Divine: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.”

John 6:37

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

PRAYER OF PREPARATION Hospitable God, you invite us to a banquet where the last may be first and the humble and the mighty trade places. Let us share your abundance with no fear of scarcity. Send your Spirit now so we may welcome others with radical hospitality. In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

PRELUDE

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Responsive) The Lord be with you. And also with you.

*CALL TO WORSHIP Creator God, you call us to hospitality;to give as generously to others as you have given to us.For there are angels among us.Loving God, you call us to give you gloryin the compassion we show to one another.To love without judgment, of ourselves or of others.We gather as one body, seeking to walk in the way you have set for us.We gather as one body, to worship the one who is Love.

*HYMN 506 Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table!

CALL TO CONFESSION (Leader)Despite all the ways we speak of sin - failures, mistakes, intended acts, Scripture tells us that we are stubborn, wanting only our own way. But if we pause to listen to God, if we open our mouths (and our hearts) to confess our sin, God will fill us with forgiveness and hope. Let us pray together, as we say,

PRAYER OF CONFESSION We are always uncomfortable, Watching God, when you notice how we want to sit in the seats of honor. It is easy to imagine we are superior to those with fewer privileges. We are so busy completing our “to do” list each day that we forget to do good when we have the chance. Forgive us, Welcoming God. Fill our emptiness with your grace and humility that we would spend our lives alongside Jesus, our Lord and Savior, throwing a party for the poor, the damaged, the prisoner, the lost, the oppressed.

A period of silent prayer is observed.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

ASSURANCE OF GRACEThis is the good news: after what God has done for us, what can anyone or anything do to us? We are new people, graced by our loving God.Forgiven, embraced, welcomed by our God, we will offer open hearts and serving hands to everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE The Peace of Christ be with you And also with you. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SPECIAL MUSIC Deep River Cole Blume

SCRIPTURE LESSONS Hebrews 13:1-8. 15-16 & Luke 14:1, 7-14

SERMON

*HYMN 509 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPERAll, including children,

are invited to the Lord’s Table.

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

THE CALL TO PRAYER (Responsive)The Lord be with you.And also with you.People of God, lift up your hearts.We lift them to the God who welcomes us at this table.Let us sing aloud to God.We will offer glad songs of thanksgiving to the One who delivers us.

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, & THE LORD’S PRAYER 

We would sing aloud . . . .lifting our glad songs to you:Holy, holy, holy are you, God, our strength! All creation shouts. Hosanna in the highest!

We welcome the One who shows hospitality to strangers.Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, . . .mystery we call faith:Dying, you took the seat of dishonor.Rising, you humbled yourself to be exalted; coming again, you will honor us in the presence of the One who invites all to sit at the table of grace.

Send your Holy Spirit . . . who taught us to pray saying:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,    and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.

Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION  

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP            SONG DURING COMMUNION HYMN 507

Come to the table of grace.Come to the table of grace.

This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of grace.

(Come to the table of peace, love, hope, joy, grace . . .)                   *PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  (Unison)Gracious God of bread and cup, we pray that your love, grace and mercy shared today in this community will nurture and sustain us for the work ahead. Live within us that we may go from here with the light of hope in our eyes, the fire of inspiration in our hearts, and the creative power of your Word on our lips.  Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

AN INVITATION TO OFFERINGEvery minute of every day, God is making all things new, giving and giving and giving again. And you are called, we are called to be a part of God's work of generosity.You are called to give, to surrender your time, talent, and treasure to this God-work of making all things new. You are called to give. We are called to give. The morning offering will now be given and received.

OFFERTORY Please use the yellow prayer request cards found in the pew and place them in the offering plate to be included in the prayers of the people and/or the email prayer ministry of CPC.

*DOXOLOGY (Unison)Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below:Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise God, the source of all our gifts!Praise Christ, whose mighty power uplifts!

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia

PRAYER OF DEDICATIONYesterday, today, and tomorrow, we are offered opportunities to reach out to those who are in need of hope, healing, and friendship.  This is why you pour out your blessings upon us, trusting that we will share from our abundance to bless others, even as we have been blessed.  Receive the gifts we offer, multiply them, and use them in the work of grace and justice.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

*HYMN 526 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ *CHARGE & BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

* Indicates a time in the service when you are invited to rise in body or spirit.

Visitors, friends, members, welcome to worship! Please feel free to participate in ways that you feel led, and comfortable if you would just like to observe. If you are interested in learning more about making Central Presbyterian your church home, please speak with Pastor Jennifer or the welcome greeter following the service.

We are glad you are here and invite you to join us for coffee after the worship service.

THIS WEEK AT CENTRAL10:00am Worship, Sanctuary

11:00am Fellowship, Fellowship HallOFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday, 8:30am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:00pmMonday & Friday - Closed

Mon, Sept 2 Labor Day Office ClosedTues, Sept 3 9:30pm Miriam Circle ParlorWed, Sept 4 10:00am Christian Discipleship Pastor’s Office

11:30am Martha Circle Parlor

MEET YOUR DEACON SUNDAY & 2 nd SUNDAY POTLUCK - At Central, each member/friend of Central is assigned to a flock with a specific person as their deacon. This is just one of the ways we fulfill Central’s mission of being a Caring Community of Believers. Meet Your Deacon Sunday is designed to give your Deacon a chance to get to know you better and vice-versa.

On Sunday, September 8th, a board containing a photograph of each deacon will be located in the Fellowship Hall. Plan to stay after worship for the 2nd Sunday Potluck and meet your deacon, Next Sunday.

OUR WEDNESDAY BOOK GROUP has chosen to kick off the year by reading The Universal Christ, the latest New York Times bestseller from Franciscan Father Richard Rohr. In it he notes that even if we believe we know who the person of Jesus was, we may not have pondered the question, “Who is the Christ?”

All are welcome to join in as we discuss and reflect together about this thought-provoking book. Starting September 18th,

book group meets Wednesday at 3 & 6pm in the Church Parlor. Books may be ordered through the church office in advance before Monday, Sept. 9th for $16.

KOINONIA CENTER THANK YOU BBQ & ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Sunday Sept 15, 5-8pm at K-14 patio: 1414 Kincaid St. All supporters are welcome. Please RSVP to Steve Stermer at ssterm52@comcast.net or text 541-510-0660.

STRICTLY ORGANIC COFFEE - for $14 a pound, is available in the Narthex from Bev Day after worship today. Buy a bag of decaf or regular coffee; it's certified organic, shade grown, and farmer friendly. Any profit Central makes will be given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

F ISH - Canned beans in their many forms are always welcome at FISH: chili with beans, bean soups, refried beans, flavored beans and just plain beans. Bring your donations with you when you come to worship and place them in the wicker basket in the Narthex. They will be delivered to FISH for distribution to those who ask for food. Thank you.

COIN OFFERINGS FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER - will be used to support our work with the St. Vincent DePaul Interfaith Family Shelter. During the week of September 30-October 6, members of Central will provide meals for the families at the Interfaith Shelter. We have supported this program for over 30 years and are excited that it now has a permanent location for the families. Please give generously on Sunday mornings!

We thank the following faithful people whoare helping behind the scenes today:

Ministers AllCoffee Hour Fellowship CommitteeDeacon on Call Quentin HolmesLiturgist Susan SchroederWelcome Greeter John HockenTransport Team Margaret KnudsonPastor Rev. Jennifer MartinOrganist Dan RinnanBuilding Host Joe Olney Sound Technician Alex Pratt

FLOWERS TODAY – Have been given to the Glory of God by Jan Ames in memory of her parents Bob & Charlotte Sabin.

A CARING, INQUIRING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF FAITHSeptember 1, 2019

Potluck Mural, David Fichter, 1994. Intersection of Bishop Allen Drive & Norfolk Street, Cambridge, MA. Mural shows a multiethnic gathering of Central Square residents enjoying a meal together. The 22-by-100-foot mural used about 20 gallons of acrylic paint and took four months to

complete with the help of volunteers.

555 East 15th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401email:centralpresbyterianeugene@gmail.com

www.centraleugene.church 541- 345-8724

Find us on Facebook at Central Presbyterian Church Eugene, OR

Lectionary – Sunday,

September 8Jeremiah 18:1-

11Psalms 139:1-6Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33