Christ Church by the Sea, Newport Beach, CA Livestream September 3, 2023

????The Voice from the Burning Bush: God spoke to Moses after he fled Egypt and sought refuge in the wilderness. God called him to return to Egypt and challenge Pharoah to release the Hebrew slaves from bondage. But Moses was reluctant. Yet God had chosen Moses for a reason. Moses was Hebrew by birth but Egyptian by education. He had to make a choice about his real identity.

☑️ Please visit our website at www.christchurchnewportbeach.org to check out our online bible study and other online events.

☑️ To make a donation to Christ Church by the Sea go to: www.ChristChurchNewportBeach.org

???? Our amazing and beautiful music features Guest Organist James Briton Hendricks (piano/organ), Vincent Hans (vocals), Sara Lunsford (vocals).

Order of Service
Christ Church by the Sea
September 3, 2023
Season of Pentecost

Meditation: “The highest calling is to be who you are; but to be who you are requires that you know who you are—and that requires listening to your soul.”
Rev. Kirk Byron Smith

Welcome: Susan Heiligman

Prelude: "Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness" by Johannes Brahms

Call to Worship (responsive):
Leader: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus with power and might.
People: On that first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit inspired the disciples to form a new
community made up of people from all nations of the earth.
Leader: The Spirit of God gave them the power to speak in foreign tongues so that all people might hear the good news about Jesus in their own language.
People: After God raised Jesus from the dead, the Spirit called the church into
existence so that the ministry of Jesus could continue among us.
Leader: Just as Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, and spoke words of salvation, so too the church is called to follow his example.
People: May God’s Spirit inspire us to be Jesus’ disciples even now, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and speaking words of salvation to all. Amen.

*Opening Hymn of Gathering: “The God of Abraham Praise” UMH #116

*Congregational Prayer (in unison):
O God, as you once sent your Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, so send now your Spirit to dwell among us. May your Spirit be as the wind that cleanses us, the fire that burns within us, and as the dew that refreshes us. Consecrate our hearts so that we may always be ready to do what is good and right in your world. Inspire us so that we may always follow your call. Mold us in your image so that we may be Christ’s faithful witnesses in both word and deed. Amen.

*Passing of the Peace

Solo: "The Greatness of God" by Garrard/Ingram/Morgan
Sung by Sara Lunsford

Prayers of the People:
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Sung Response: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” TFWS #2193
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Preparation: “Go Down, Moses” UMH #448, (verses 1-5)

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 3:1-15
Exodus 2:11-15
Amos 2:6-7, 3:1-2, 5:21-2

Sermon: “The Voice from the Burning Bush” Pastor Paul

Invitation to Christian Discipleship

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon (responsive):
Leader: Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised forgiveness of sins and a new life to all who with sincere repentance and true faith turn to God and ask for God’s grace.
People: O God, pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness; and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Leader: As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us and set us on the path of a new life. Thanks be to God!

Offering

*Doxology: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #95

Sacrament of Communion (see insert)

*Closing Hymn of Sending: “Here I am, Lord” UMH #593

Benediction

Sung Response to Benediction: “Lead Me, Lord” UMH #473

Postlude: "Prelude and Fugue in e Minor" by Franz Murschhauser

*Please Stand
UMH = United Methodist Hymnal
FWS = Faith We Sing