No One to Go to But God!

Epiphany #3—Martin Luther King Celebration Service  (Downloadable PDF)
January 17, 2021, 11:00 am 

PRELUDE: Wade in the Water—African American spiritual, arr. Joel Raney
CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS 

Pastor:        A man went forth with gifts.
ALL:           He was a prose poem.
Pastor:       He was a tragic grace.
ALL:          He was a warm music.
Pastor:       He tried to heal the vivid volcanoes.
ALL:          His ashes are reading the world.
Pastor:       The Dream still wishes to anoint
ALL:          The barricades of faith and control.
Pastor:       His word still burns the center of the sun
ALL:          Above the thousands
Pastor:       The word was Justice
ALL:          Justice!
Pastor:       It was spoken.
ALL:          It shall be spoken.
Pastor:       So it shall be done.
–Gwendolyn Brooks, poem honoring Dr. King 

HYMN: Great Day (#445  Blue Presbyterian Hymnal)
CALL TO CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT –Dr King, from the sermon “Our God is Able” after his home was bombed 

Pastor:      I now know that God is able!
ALL:          To give us interior resources to face life’s storms.
Pastor:      Let this affirmation be our ringing cry.
ALL:          It will give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future.
Pastor:      It will give our tired feet new strength as we strive toward the city of freedom.
ALL:          When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds,
Pastor:      And our nights become darker than a hundred midnights—
ALL:          Let us remember that there is a Power in the universe whose name is God.
Pastor:      God is able to make a way out of no way,
ALL:          And transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.
Pastor:      This is our hope for becoming new persons.
ALL:          This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world.
Pastor:      This is why we keep returning to answer the call to worship a God
ALL:          Who will be at our side forever.
 –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HYMN:   We’ve Come This Far by Faith (#656  Glory to God)
Scripture:           Isaiah 41:1-13            John 1:43-51         Emma Witbolsfeugen
SERMON: No One to Go to But God! (Transcript)
HYMN:     Lift Every Voice and Sing (#339  Glory to God)
WELCOME
CHORAL ANTHEM:  A Gospel Magnificat— text, Ruth Duck, Mary Louise Bringle; music, Norah Duncan IV
INTERCESSORY PRAYER:— with comments by people on FB (You can also email prayer requests to info@westportpresbyterian.org during office hours)
the Lord’s Prayer
SUNG RESPONSE: Break Thou, the Bread of Life   (#460)
OFFERTORY SOLO: Precious Lord, Take My Hand—text and music, Thomas Dorsey, sung by Neal Long, tenor
                 Offering link
PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Eternal God, out of whose mind this great cosmic universe was born,
We bless You.
Help us to see what is high, noble and good.
Help us in this moment of difficult decision.
Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world,
a better distribution of wealth,
and a brother/sisterhood that transcends race or color.
Amen.
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HYMN:  Soon and Very Soon (#384   Glory to God)
BLESSING
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE:  Lead Me, Guide Me  (#740 Sing Twice)
POSTLUDE:  Soon and Very Soon—words and music by Andraé Crouch, set by Phillip Keveren

Participants:
Pastor- Scott Myers
Piano- Emily Davidson
Choir- Josh Stark, Neil Long, Jennifer Weiman, Em WitbolsFeugen
Camera/Facebook/Prayer requests: Deanna Capps
Webpage- Martine Roesel