The Gospel According to Genesis 1

Guest Speaker: Dr. Jason Lief

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Prelude: Miriam Hector “Shine Jesus Shine”
Welcome/Announcements
* God’s Greeting
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth!
* We Greet Each Other with voices ONLY, please maintain Social Distancing
* Call to Worship
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
Arise, shine, for your light has come! 
Lighting of the Christ Candle
We light the Christ Candle as a reminder that, although the risen and ascended Jesus is physically absent, he is somehow present with us by the power of the Spirit. And it is Jesus, our great high priest, who intercedes for us, both receiving and mediating our worship to God.
* Songs of Worship “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”
“Arise, Shine for Your Light Is Come”
* Prayer of Confession
Let us confess the times when we’ve closed our eyes or looked away from the light, choosing instead to look at our own delights.
Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. You constantly call us, but we do not listen. You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need,
wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed. God of grace, as you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
—Adapted from Book of Common Worship, 
* Assurance of Pardon
To all who turn from sin in sorrow, to all who turn to God in hope, this is God’s Word of grace: we are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved. This gift we have from God. Thanks be to God.  (Used by permission.)
* Song of Praise “Be Thou My Vision”
Congregational Prayer
followed by The Lord’s Prayer in unison
Special Music: All For Him
“The Offering”
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:3
Prayer of Preparation
Message: Dr. Jason Lief
“The Gospel According to Genesis 1”
* Song of Response “This Is My Father’s World”
* Benediction
* Closing Song “Hope of the Nations”
Postlude