(Please stand as indicated with an asterisk (*) and wear a mask when singing.) RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL GOD’S PEOPLE GATHER PRELUDE “Open My Eyes” By Diemer (An opportunity for silent meditation,) WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive) Watch what God does: mostly God loves us. We would learn a life of such love so we might do as God does. Watch how Christ loves us: not with caution, but with extravagance. We would practice such lavish love, not noticing what it costs us. Watch how the Spirit loves us: moving in us, breathing love into us. We would live such love for others, keeping company with God. *HYMN 442 (Wear Mask) “The Church's One Foundation ” PRAYER OF CONFESSION [unison] God of the world, we break your heart by the respectable lives we lead. Blessed by you with every gift, we practice thrift towards others. Seeking to be good and proper Christians, we overlook you in the company of the poor, the oppressed, those without a voice. We choose to spread gossip about our friends and neighbors, when we could speak gently to them. Grieving God, forgive us for the pain we cause you and other people. Help us to make a clean break with those habits which keep us from wholeness. Open us to the movement of your Spirit within us. Feed us with the Bread of Life, so we might have the love and passion to feed the world. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [Moment of silence for personal confession and reflection] ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (responsive) It is really that simple - God loves us. Through the Holy Spirit, God works in us, transfiguring our old ways, breathing life and love into us. We receive God's grace, so we can offer it to others. We are caressed in God's gentleness, so we can hold the broken. We will be quick to forgive, even as God has forgiven us. Thanks be to God. Amen. Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 2 Race Street Pittstown, New Jersey Founded in 1730 Sunday August 8, 2021 *HYMN 579 (Wear Mask) “Gloria Patri” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son , and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the begin- ning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen PASSING OF THE PEACE As God has given us peace through Christ, so let us pass the peace of Christ to each other. [Please greet those around you in peace} GOD’S WORD TO US MESSAGE FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION (unison) Dear Lord, prepare our hearts and our minds to hear your Word. Open our ears so that we hear your Word read and proclaimed with new clarity and understanding. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 130 (Responsive) (Page 573) This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM “When Peace Like A River” sung by Bebe Sellers NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (Page 194) This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to You, O Christ! SERMON “How to Talk Like a Christian ” Pastor Linda Gaden OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) - Nicene Creed We believe in the grace freely offered in Jesus Christ, in the atoning work of Christ's death on the cross, in the power of forgiveness to change lives. in the redemption that turns sinners into saints, in the wholeness that mercy brings, in the freedom that liberates us from sin's hold, in the new life that is ours, now and for eternity. Amen. *HYMN 466 (Wear Mask) “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing ”