18th Sunday of Trinitytide, Sept 26, 2021 - Second City Church

Becoming the Gospel: To Live Is ChristSeptember 26, 2021

Eighteenth Sunday of Trinitytide

[M]y fear of failure has been lifelong and deep. If you are what you do- and I think my parents may have accidentally given me this idea- and you do poorly, what then? It’s over; you’re wiped out.

- Anne Lamott

So what does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It looks like walking with, loving with, and doing life with those who are different from you. What binds you together is Christ. It looks like striving together to make Christ known. What motivates you is Christ. And it looks like standing with courage against all oppressors, natural or supernatural. What secures you is Christ.

- Matt Chandler

Readings for the coming weekThese readings are provided as a personal, family, or group worship resource. Use them along with your worship guide as resources for readings, prayers and hymns. Set in the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a schedule of daily Bible readings in accord with the Church year, these scripture readings are designed around a three-year cycle that will take you through the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice, and the Psalms frequently.

Lectionary selections are reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 2005. Consultation on Common Texts, Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Reproduced by permission.

Psalm Old Testament New Testament

Monday the 27th Psalm 140 Esther 4:1-17 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tuesday, the 28th Psalm 140 Esther 5:1-14 1 John 2:18-25

Wednesday the 29th Psalm 140 Esther 8:1-17 Matthew 18:6-9

Thursday the 30th Psalm 26 Job 2:11 & 3:26 Galatians 3:23-29

Friday September 1st

Psalm 26 Job 4: 1-21 Romans 8:1-11

Saturday the 2nd Psalm 26 Job 7:1-21 Luke 16:14-18

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MEDITATIONS

Second City Church is a community that exists to worship the Triune God

and to celebrate, in word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Harrisburg.

WHO we are? Second City Church is a community that exists to worship the Triune God and to celebrate, in word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Harrisburg.

WHAT is the Gospel? It is the announcement (literally “good news”) that Jesus’ cross and resurrection were the beginning of salvation for the entire cosmos and will be completed when he returns. God is restoring the peace (shalom) of his creation through the work of Christ and is renewing people, families, neighborhoods, cities and nations, as people trust and follow him.

HOW do we celebrate the Gospel? Through faithful proclamation and obedient demonstration. Weekly worship services are the core opportunity for everyone to know how God is setting things right and to thank him publicly for it. This public celebration spills over to the rest of our lives where we serve our neighbors as Christ has served us.

Thank you for joining us in worship today. We hope this guide will help you participate in our service. If you have any questions about our worship, faith, or how you can be a part of our mission to serve God and neighbor in Harrisburg, be sure to talk to our pastor. If you would like to indicate your presence to us or include a prayer request, please fill out the form on the back page of this bulletin and place it in one of the slotted boxes in the back of the Social Hall.

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WELCOME

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Words of Welcome

Call to Worship

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen! 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Psalm 105:1-6

LITURGY OF PREPARATION

Gathering Hymn - Oh! Great Is Our God!

Oh! Great is our God! So we should worship greatly!!No song is too loud! No orchestra too statelyTo hail the majesty of our KingSo lift your voices loud as we sing

Oh! Great is our God! So let our songs be endless!!So awesome His ways, how could we comprehend them?So we will make it known to our kidsAnd we will sing about the gracious gifts You give

We will sing Your praise and pour forth Your fameWe will bless Your nameLet every one give thanks, because our God is great!

Oh! Great is our God! And we cannot contain it!We sing from our souls, affected by His greatnessHis mercy covers all that He's madeShowing His glory and His grace

We will sing Your praise and pour forth Your fameWe will bless Your nameLet every one give thanks, because our God is great![ 3x ]

Greeting

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Confession Hymn -Trisagion

Confession of Sin

Almighty and most merciful Father,we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.O Lord, have mercy upon us.Spare all those who confess their faults.Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.

Words of Forgiveness & PeaceAnd these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:4-7Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our sins are forgivenThanks be to God!

Passing of the Peace[Invitation for congregation to share a sign of peace with one another]

Hymns of Praise and Adoration

Glory Be To God

Glory be to GodFather, Son and Holy Spirit

Forever more

Praise To The Lord, The Almighty

Praise to the LordThe Almighty, the King of creationO my soul, praise Him forHe is thy health and salvationAll ye who hearNow to His temple draw nearPraise Him in glad adoration

Praise to the LordWho o’er all things so wondrously reignethShelters thee under HisWings, yea, so gently sustainethHast thou not seen How Thy desires e’er have beenGranted in what He ordainethPraise to the Lord

Who doth prosper thy work and defend theeSurely His good-ness andMercy here daily attend theePonder anew What the Almighty can doIf with His love He befriend thee

Praise to the LordO let all that is in me adore HimAll that hath life and breathCome now with praises before HimLet the Amen Sound from His people againGladly for aye we adore Him

In The Fields of The Lord

In the fields of the Lord, our work is rest He is moving in our hands and feet to bless In the fields of the Lord, in the fields of the Lord in the fields of the Lord our work is rest

In the vineyards of the Lord our work is light He is tending every leaf and every vine In the vineyards of the Lord, in the vineyards of the Lord in the vineyards of the Lord our work is light

In the garden of the Lord our work is sound He is weaving every thorn into a crownIn the garden of the Lord, in the garden of the Lord in the garden of the Lord our work is sound

At the harvest of the Lord the fields are white He will wipe away the tears from every eye At the harvest of the Lord, at the harvest of the Lordat the harvest of the Lord the fields are white

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow JesusI have decided to follow JesusI have decided to follow JesusNo turning back, no turning back

The world behind me, the cross before meThe world behind me, the cross before meThe world behind me, the cross before meNo turning back, no turning back

Though none go with me, still I will followThough none go with me, still I will followThough none go with me, still I will followNo turning back, no turning back

Living Our Faith

Blessing Our Children

Psalm ReadingPsalm 90:1-8, 12

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3  You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”

4  For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

5  You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:

6  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

7  For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.

8  You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

12  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. .

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen. Ame

Old Testament ReadingEcclesiastes 3:16-20

16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

New Testament Reading

Philippians 1:18-30

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew: Glory to you, O Lord!

Matthew 16:24-28

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ!

Sermon - Rev. Peter Rowan - Becoming the Gospel: To Live Is Christ

Creed

Let us affirm the faith of the Church:

Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Offering of Prayers of the PeopleMerciful Father, give grace to your church, that she would be a strong witness to the healing power of Christ, bringing hope and the forgiveness of sins to all peoples; may those gathered here continue to be richly blessedby the proclamation of your Son’s healing word;for this, O Lord, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

Sovereign Lord, guide our county and all its governors and leaders, that each may serve the citizens faithfully and with integrity; cause justice to prevail among the nations and free our world from bloodshed;grant protection from every evil, for those who police our communities and those who find themselves in the midst of warfare;for this, O Lord, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

God of all compassion, visit the lonely and provide them companions;bless the labor of those in poverty and enlarge the generosity of others;grant present shelter to the homeless and a path toward permanent homes;inspire landlords to care for properties, free our streets from violence, crime, and lawlessness, and may honest and caring citizens fill our neighborhoods;for this, O Lord, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, you raise up those who are broken;strengthen and heal all who are ill or recovering from their infirmities, that they might be renewed again to serve both God and their neighbor;grant comfort to family and friends of those who have died, and sustain them in the hope of the resurrection to life everlasting; for this, O Lord, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer. For what else should we pray?

Show us your mercy, O Lord.O Lord, hear our prayer.

Offering of Gifts

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Friends and members of Second City Church support the extension of God’s Kingdom with gifts of bread, wine, talents and resources. Guests are not expected to contribute. Tithes and offerings may be placed in the offering plates, boxes on the wall as you leave, or can be made electronically. Instructions for setting up online giving are available at the donation boxes.

DoxologyPraise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise him all creatures here belowPraise him above ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

The Prayer of Great Thanksgiving

InvitationThe Lord be with you. And also with you.Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right for us to give thanks and praise.

Praise God for His Mighty ActsLoving God, you made this world marvelous for us to enjoy. You gave Jesus to be our Savior and friend and to bring us to you. You sent your Spirit to make us one family in Christ. For these gifts of your love we thank you, and we join with angels and saints in this joyful hymn of praise:

Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and mightHeaven and earth, heaven and earth Are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highestHosanna in the highest

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LordHosanna in the highest Hosanna in the highest Hosanna in the highest Hosanna in the highest

LITURGY OF THE TABLE

Praise for Christ’s SacrificeLet us proclaim the mystery of our faith.`Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

Calling on the Holy Spirit and Lord’s PrayerAll this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to the TableThe gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Sharing Holy CommunionSecond City Church welcomes all baptized Christians who have made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ in a Christian church to join us in this sacrament. Non-communicants can come forward and ask for a blessing. If you need to receive communion in your seat, ask a fellow worshiper to let the communion servers know. If you are unable to receive wine, you will find a chalice containing non-alcoholic grape juice at the station the pastor is serving. The communion bread is gluten-free.

Closing PrayerHeavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ: and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal Kingdom. And now Father, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

BenedictionThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

Closing Hymn - The Joy of Jesus

May the grace of my God be with youMay the grace of my God be with youMay you know the grace of my GodAnd may the grace of my God be with you May the love of my Lord be with youMay the love of my Lord be with youAnd may you know the love of my LordAnd may the love of my Lord be with you And may you dance and laugh and singMay you know the warmth of His embraceMay you feel the brush of angel wingsLike the wind upon your face May the joy of Jesus be with youMay the joy of Jesus be with youMay you know the joy of JesusAnd may the joy of Jesus be with you

Dismissal

Let us go forth into the world, as the Family of the Father,as the Redeemed of the Son,and as the Fellowship of the Spirit.Amen.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please be in prayer for the following people:

•Ed & Anna Camp•Lois Meighan (Kacy Cope’s mother)•Bill Orner•Elista (Tiny) Vinnie•Mary Watts•Nevin White•Gordon & Elaine Zubrod

Please be in prayer for Kacy Cope as she continues to travel back and forth to Lansdale to care for her mother. Pray for strength, stamina and wisdom for Kacy. Please also pray that her siblings will step up and help as they are able.

Please pray for our ministry teams who are slowly coming back together to serve.

Pray for the staff and students at Logos Academy Harrisburg.

Pray for the leaders of our state and our country.

The altar flowers today are placed in loving memory of her parents, Mildred and Ralph Schleig for their August and September birthdays by Barbara Koller.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Shaffer Retreat Camp Out, Worship Service and PicnicMark your calendar for Saturday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 24th for a camp out, worship service and picnic at Shaffer Retreat. More details will come in the following weeks.

Adult Sunday SchoolAdult Sunday School is meeting every Sunday at 9 am in the Orange Room. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to attend. Bruce Weatherly and Gordon Zubrod will alternate teaching each month.

Children & WorshipChildren & Worship has resumed. If you would like to help with this program, please contact Jessi Gazsi at [email protected]. This week’s lesson is the Good Shepherd. Lenora Riley is leading today, and Melise Rowan is the greeter.

NurseryThe nursery is open but we could use more helpers. Please contact Jessi Gazsi at [email protected] if you are interested in helping. Today’s nursery leader is Dave Riley.

Hang Out at the PlaygroundPlan to join us on Sunday, October 3rd after the worship service at the playground on Penn and Seyford Streets for a fun time of singing and a children’s lesson. See Pastor Peter Rowan or Jessi Gazsi with questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTRIBUTIONS

MUSIC:

Oh! Great Is Our GodWords and Music by Brian Eichelberger© 2012 on the Eye Chart, Songs from the Penalty BoxAdministrators: Music Services, Inc.Used by Permission

TrisagionArmenian; English; Spanish

Glory Be To GodM. MonticchioShort Gloria

Praise To The Lord, The AlmightyAuthor: Joachim Neander (1680)Tune: LOBE DEN HERRENPublished: 1940© The Church Pension Fund

In The Fields of The LordBy Audrey Assad and Isaac Wardell© 2017 Porter’s Gate Publishing (BMI) and Hymns From the Porter’s Gate (ASCAP).Essential Music Publishing LLC

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus© 1994 Selah Publishing Company, Inc.Administrators: Selah Publishing Company, Inc.Used by Permission

Gloria PatriLesser Doxology

DoxologyThomas Ken (1674)

SanctusRobert Glover© 2000, GIA Publications, IncUsed by Permission

Give Me JesusFernando Ortega© 2000, Dejamesolo Music, Curb Word MusicUsed by Permission

The Joy of JesusBy Rich Mullens © 2017, Provident Label Group LLCUsed by Permission

All music used under CCLI License #11245570

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