Welcome Back

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday, January 29^th, 2007

Stewart Chapel

Prelude Nettleton Diane Bish

Welcome

*Call to Worship (based on Isaiah 51-52)

Awake! Awake!

Rise up, you people of God.

For we have been slumbering in exile.

Awake! Awake!

Clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of learning.

For God is calling us to return to our studies.

Shake off your dust!

Free yourself from the chains on your neck

For we will be the ones who bring good news,

Who proclaim peace,

Who bring good tidings,

Who proclaim salvation,

Who say to Zion, “Your God Reigns!”

*Hymn PH 356 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Call to Confession

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ was raised for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen

* Passing of the Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading Genesis 16:1-16,

Genesis 21:1-21

Sermon “Seen and Heard” Dr. Phil Butin

*Hymn PH354 Guide My Feet

*Charge & Benediction

Postlude Trumpet Voluntary John Stanley

Participants in Worship

Dr. Phil Butin, President

Dr. Polly Coote, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Dan Hoggatt, Musician

Mr. Aric Clark, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources: The Call to Worship is based on Isaiah 51 and 52, The Call to Confession (from Hebrews 4: 14-16), the Prayer of Confession, and Assurance of Pardon are all drawn from the Book of Common Worship.