Welcome to Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church
Our Mission is to be a place where the community can come together in Christ and provide, through God and His word, love, comfort and joy to all.
Sunday, September 17, 2023
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
( * = please stand )
Prelude “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
Opening Prayer
Welcome and Announcements Betsy Balmer
Call to Worship
One: When two or three gather, Christ lives in every moment,
All: where two or three gather, Christ is present with them.
One: Where two or three gather to worship God,
All: glad songs of praise are lifted, hearts are filled with hope.
One: When two or three gather to serve God's creation,
All: Christ is feeding the hungry, Christ is building shelters of peace.
Opening Hymn #115 Red Book “Near the Cross”
Scripture Psalm 114 (pg. 435)
Hymn #64 Red Book “Shall We Gather at the River”
Prayer of Confession
One: All we are called to do is to love - everyone. Yet, as simple as it sounds, by our actions and our words, we show how difficult a task it is. Let us confess our failings as we pray together, saying,
All: You do not ask much of us, Guardian of hope - to love, to serve, to welcome. Yet too often, it is words of bitterness we speak to friends and family. It is our stiff-with-judgment backs we offer to those looking for help. It is our hardened hearts people find, when they reach out, hoping to touch grace.
(Time of Silent Confession)
All: Love lived as Compassion, forgive us. We are broken, so make us whole through the life of Christ. We are empty of peace, so fill us with the reconciling Spirit of Christ. We are alone, so take us by the hand and lead us into your kingdom of joy and grace, brought to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
One: Gathered as God's people, we hear the good news: God has forgiven us, God has made us whole, God sends us to serve.
All: We will not wear jealousy or resentment, but put on the garments of peace and hope. We are forgiven by our God. Amen.
*Gloria Patri #577 Congregation
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Sharing the Peace The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.
(Please pass signs of peace and forgiveness with those seated around you)
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Remembering Barbara (Barbie) Chevalier 1943- 2023
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
The Lord’s Prayer (pg. 16, Blue Hymnal)
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
Scripture Acts 3:1-10 (pg. 772)
Anthem “What a Day That Will Be” Choir
Sermon “Blessed by God: The Beggar who received a different kind of Blessing” Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*The Apostle’s Creed (pg. 14) Congregation
Call to Offering Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
Offertory “The Sweetest Song I Know” Michael Greer
*Doxology Congregation
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him,
all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD
*Charge and Blessing Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
We leave now in order to follow God into the world.
All: We will go to bring the healing and peace of Jesus to all.
*Sung Benediction (Please face the center) Congregation
All: May the Lord, Mighty Lord bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, and courage in every endeavor.
Lift your eyes and see His face, see His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Gathering Around the World
(* = please stand
Prelude “Great is the Lord”
Opening Prayer
Welcome and Announcements Betsy Balmer
Call to Worship
One: Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make His deeds known to all the people!
All: For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations!
One: Sing His praises; tell of His wonderful works, and glory in His holy name! Let those who seek the Lord rejoice!
All: For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations!
One: Search for God, and for His strength. Never stop looking for Him.
All: For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations!
Opening Hymn #17 Red Book “Amazing Grace”
Scripture Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 (pg. 430)
Hymn #18 Red Book “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Prayer of Confession
One: Following God is not like flipping a coin, and choosing sides. It is intentional; it is difficult; it is risky. That is why we know all the ways we have failed in our discipleship and need to come to God. We choose to confess, so we might embrace the forgiveness God offers to us. Please join me, praying,
All: Invited to walk in your footsteps, Wanderer of the Universe, we turn away to play hopscotch on the sidewalks of seduction. Given the chance to watch you work wonders of grace and renewal, we fixate on the idols of success and power. When you want to tell us stories of healing and reconciliation, we decline to hear your gentle voice.
(Time of Silent Confession)
All: Have mercy on us, God of Blessings, and help us to choose to hold fast to your hand; to walk your
streets of wholeness and hope; to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, into the life you intend for us. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
One: God's forgiveness dwells in our hearts; Christ's love fills us; the Spirit's peace guides our steps.
All: Our feet are set on the journey. Walking in faith and hope with our God, we will be servants to the world.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
*Gloria Patri #577 Congregation
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Sharing the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.
(Please pass signs of peace and forgiveness with those seated around you)
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
The Lord’s Prayer (pg. 16, Blue Hymnal)
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
Scripture Luke 21:1-4 (pg. 745)
Anthem “God Leads Us Along” Choir
Sermon “Blessed by God: The Woman who had little to give but received a great blessing in return” Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*The Apostle’s Creed (pg. 14) Congregation
Call to Offering Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
Offertory Molly Allen
*Doxology Congregation
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him,
all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD
*Charge and Blessing Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
We leave now in order to follow God into the world.
All: We will go to bring the healing and peace of Jesus to all.
*Sung Benediction (Please face the center) Congregation
All: May the Lord, Mighty Lord bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, and courage in every endeavor.
Lift your eyes and see His face, see His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever.
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Gathering Around the World
(* = please stand
Prelude “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
Opening Prayer
Welcome and Announcements Richard Clubb
Call to Worship
One: We come to worship and praise our God, and to learn more about the wonders of our God.
All: How great and wonderful is our Compassionate God.
One: We come, with ears and hearts open to God, ready to discover more of God’s mysteries and miracles.
All: How generous and caring is our Unchanging God.
One: We gather to share together in our common history,
and to experience the enrichment which that brings us.
All: All praise and honour to God for past and present
blessings, and for God’s merciful love and grace. Amen.
Opening Hymn #3 Red Book “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”
Scripture Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 (pg. 417)
Hymn #36 Red Book “Wonderful Words of Life”
Prayer of Confession
One: Despite all the ways we speak of sin –failures, mistakes, intended acts, Scripture tells us that we are stubborn-hearted,
wanting only our way. But if we pause to listen to God, if we open our mouths (and our hearts) to confess our sin, God will fill our emptiness with forgiveness and hope. Let us pray together, as we say,
All: We are always uncomfortable, Watching God,
when you notice how we want to sit in the seats of honor.
We can be so proper, so good, so well-off, that it is easy to imagine we are superior to the poor. We are so busy completing our 'To Do' list each day, that we forget to do good when we have the chance.
(Time of Silent Confession)
All: Forgive us, Welcoming God. Fill our emptiness with your grace and humility that we would spend our lives alongside Jesus,
our Lord and Savior, ministering to the poor, the damaged,
the prisoner, the lost, the oppressed.
Assurance of Pardon
One: This is the good news: after what God has done for us, what can anyone or anything do to us? We are new people, graced by our loving God.
All: Forgiven, embraced, welcomed by our God, we will offer open hearts and serving hands to everyone we meet.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Gloria Patri #577 Congregation
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Sharing the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.
(Please pass signs of peace and forgiveness with those seated around you)
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
The Lord’s Prayer (pg. 16, Blue Hymnal)
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
Scripture Luke 14:12-14 (pg. 745)
Anthem “Here I Am Lord” Choir
Sermon “Guest at the Table” Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*The Apostle’s Creed (pg. 14) Congregation
Communion
Prayer
Call to Offering Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
Offertory Chris Allen
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him,
all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD
*Charge and Blessing Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
We leave now in order to follow God into the world.
All: We will go to bring the healing and peace of Jesus to all.
*Sung Benediction (Please face the center) Congregation
All: May the Lord, Mighty Lord bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, and courage in every endeavor.
Lift your eyes and see His face, see His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever.