A Middle Eastern Market

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday, March 12, 2007

Stewart Chapel

Prelude

Welcome

*Call to Worship (from Psalm 63)

O God, you are our God; eagerly we seek you.

Our souls long for you, our flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Because your love is better than life, our lips will glorify you.

We will praise you as long as we live,

and in your name we will lift up our hands.

Come, let us worship God.

*Hymn PH 276 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Call to Confession

Scripture tells us that John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus proclaimed, “Repent and believe the good news!” As we prepare to hear the good news read and preached, let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Prayer of Confession

Holy and Merciful God, in Jesus Christ you have shown us your great love for us. Yet we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each to our own way. Our thoughts have not been your thoughts; our ways have not been your ways. Turn us back to you, O God. In your grace, give us the strength to repent and to choose what is good. In your mercy, continue to forgive us so that we may go from this place in joy and in peace, a witness to the world of your great love for all your children. Amen.

*Assurance of Pardon

Friends, God is faithful. When we are tempted, God provides a way out. And when we fall, God calls us to repentance and forgives our sins. Hear the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

*Sung Response of the People Great Is Thy Faithfulness (refrain)

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Lord, unto me.

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading Isaiah 55:1-3

Sermon Mr. Jeff Hoffmeyer

*Closing Hymn PH 298 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

*Benediction

*Passing of the Peace

Participants in Worship

Mr. Jeff Hoffmeyer, Preacher

Dr. Sharon Latour, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain, Preacher

Mr. Joseph Dai Nguyen, Musician

Mr. Scott Clark, Chaplain’s Assistant