Praise the Source of Faith and Learning

lyrics by Thomas Troeger

to the tune of Hyfrydol

Verse 1:Verse 3:

Praise the source of faith and learningMay our faith redeem the blunder

that has sparked and stoked the mindof believing that our thought

with a passion for discerninghas displaced the grounds for wonder

how the world has been designed.which the ancient prophets taught.

Let the sense of wonder flowingMay our learning curb the error

from the wonders we surveywhich unthinking faith can breed

keep our faith forever growinglest we justify some terror

and renew our need to pray.with an antiquated creed.

Verse 2:Verse 4:

God of wisdom we acknowledgeAs two currents in a river

that our science and our artfight each other’s undertow,

and the breadth of human knowledgetill converging they deliver

only partial truth impart.one coherent steady flow,

Far beyond our calculationblend, O God, our faith and learning

lies a depth we cannot soundtill they carve a single course,

where your purpose for creationtill they join as one, returning

and the pulse of life are found.praise and thanks to you, the Source.

4600 Hamilton Boulevard • Sioux City, Iowa 51104 • (712) 239-3385

Sunday Gathering for Worship

August 26, 2018

“First Congregational United Church of Christ yearns to be a burden-bearing, justice-seeking, beloved community of Christlike spirituality.”

Faith and Learning

*=the people stand as they are able the people reply when in bold

all hymn numbers refer to the purple hymnal, “Glory to God,” unless otherwise noted

Prelude "How Great Thou Art” arr. Hayes Rick Darrow, organist

Welcome & Announcements Pastor Ryan

The Peace …The peace of the Lord be with you all. And also with you.

An ancient tradition in which we show that we carry no weapons, only love.

*Gathering Hymn “Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom” #174

Silent Confession

An opportunity to ask for the healing and forgiveness we need.

Kyrie (Song of Confession)

Rain down; rain down; rain down your love on your people.

Rain down; rain down; rain down your love, God of life.

Affirmation of God’s Presence

Gloria (Song of Celebration)

Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me;

And to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me;

And to the Spirit, whose love has set me free!

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Reception of New Members – Gary & Kathy Davis

We welcome you with joy into the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of our community of faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in wisdom and love and be witnesses of a Christ who is alive and at work in the world.

Prayer forWisdom

May we hear God’s message for us today in the words of ancient Scripture.

Scripture Reading Proverbs 1:7, 2 Peter 3:15b-16

Blessing of the BackpacksPastor Ryan

Children are invited to come forward with their backpacks to receive a blessing for the schoolyear just begun!

Gift of Music Trudy Timblin and Roxie Northdurf Duet

Meditation on Scripture Pastor Ryan

*Hymn of Response "Praise the Source….” (lyrics on reverse)

Prayers of the People …Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The Prayer That Jesus Taught

Our Father/Mother/Creator 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.

Offering Our Gifts Trudy Timblin and Roxie Northdurf Duet

*Doxology (Song of Praise) (words projected on the screen)

We praise God for the gift of giving.

*Prayer of Dedication

*Sending Hymn "Go, My Children, With My Blessing” #547

*Blessing and Sending

Postlude "Fanfare" by Soler Rick Darrow, organist