thoughts on faith, church, and life

Well today, we decided to try something new by combining our worship service with our Annual Congregational Meeting. My general feeling is that it went over quite well. The best part, I think, is that it helped to communicate that our work and ministry as a congregation really is an act of worship to God. The combined service and meeting lasted about an hour and 15 minutes (our services usually average between 55 to 65 minutes). For those who are interested in using this idea, here is the order of worship:

A Service of Worship Incorporating the 2010 Annual Congregational Meeting of Knox Presbyterian Church

GATHERING AROUND GOD’S WORD
Prelude

Preparing our Hearts for Worship (The following prayer, based on a quote from CS Lewis, may be offered silently as the candles are lit.)
God, we thank you that you work on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, we thank you that you work on us through each other. Help us to see the reflection of Christ in one another. Empower us to be “carriers” of Christ to others. Thank you for the church and for how important the whole body of Christians is in showing Christ to one another. Amen.

Words of Welcome & Explanation:
This year, we are trying something different with our annual congregational meeting. Since we are called by God to lives and actions that are intentional acts of worship and service to our God, why not express that belief in a tangible and meaningful way by having our Congregational Meeting be an integral part of our regular Sunday Worship gathering?

Call to Order:
The Session Clerk, Jennifer Richmond, will verify that a quorum is present and then the Moderator, Rev. Jim Bonewald, will call the meeting to order.

Report regarding the minutes of prior congregational meetings:
The clerk will report on the approval by the session of the minutes of any previous congregational meetings. The congregation may ask to have the minutes read and may make additions or corrections by vote.

*Call to Worship
Leader: Come and follow Jesus.
People: We would follow but we want to know where we are going.
Leader: Come and follow Jesus. He will lead you where you need to go.
People: We would follow but we have things to do first.
Leader: Come and follow Jesus. Service in God’s kingdom is your only task.
People: We would follow but who will take care of our things?
Leader: Come and follow Jesus. The gift of God is abundant life, joyful and eternal.
People: We will follow Jesus.

*Prayer
O God who created us to be your children: Grant us the wisdom to realize that nothing is more important than our being faithful to you and to your call to service in God’s Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Opening Song: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

The Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
O God, you have called us to follow your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Yet, we have not willingly followed his example of being a servant to others. In contrast to Jesus’ call, we find it hard to serve even the ones we love the most. We are more than likely to seek revenge on those who hurt us. We keep our eyes on the great things the world has to offer: wealth, popularity, toys, and position. We have even tried to turn Jesus into a gloating conqueror rather than the loving Servant he truly was. Forgive us and by the power of your Holy Spirit fill us with the love of Jesus that we may truly follow in his footsteps and serve those we encounter. (A moment of silence will be kept for personal confession) In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

The Assurance of God’s Pardon

Our Sung Response: “Gloria Patri”

*The Passing of the Peace (Please extend the peace of Christ to your neighbor by touch or word).

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
Chancel Choir Anthem “Knowing You” with “My Jesus, I Love Thee”

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11

A Time with the Children

Sermon: “Going Deeper”

Annual Report of Congregation
o The Work of the Church – Pastor Jim
o Knox DayCare – Jason Froehlich
o Opportunity for Questions & Answers

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
*Hymn of Response: “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”

Welcome & Announcements

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Prayers of thanksgiving for the work of our church will be offered by a number of members of our congregation.

THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S RESOURCES
Thank you for the gifts you have faithfully provided over the past year not only as a response of stewardship to God but in order to support the ministry and mission of Knox Presbyterian Church.
One of the session’s responsibilitiess is to function as stewards of those gifts and to ensure that they are used appropriately and wisely to further God’s mission and ministry through this congregation.
In expression of that call, the session presents for your review a number of financial reports. It also presents for your approval a proposed change in Pastor Jim’s terms of call.

* Our Stewardship of God’s Resources – Jason Froehlich
* Approval of Pastor’s New Terms of Call – Jason Froehlich

The Presentation of our Gifts
With thankfulness we give in gratitude and joy, with prayerfulness we give in generosity and love and with hopefulness we give in commitment to God.

Offertory

*The Doxology

*The Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give back to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you, not with our lips only, but with our whole lives, that we might turn the living of our days into a sacrifice for you, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

*Closing Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”

*Adjournment of Meeting
Pastor Jim will call for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Benediction