Monday, October 02, 2006

Rev. Dr. Garcia Talks About the Unknown God

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday October 2nd, 2006

Stewart Memorial Chapel

I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ – Acts 17:23

Prelude Sheep May Safely Graze JS Bach arr. by Mary Howe

Welcome

*Call to Worship

People of God, are you ready?

We’re ready!

Are you ready to meet the Lord? People of God, are you ready?

We’re ready!

Are you ready to greet the Lord? People of God, get ready!

We’re ready!

Get ready and wait for the Lord. Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall soar with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not grow faint. People of God, get ready! (Isaiah 40:31)

We’re ready! Let us worship God!

*Hymn PH 268 God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens

Call to Confession

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Trusting in God’s faithfulness and compassion, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Prayer of Confession

God of eternal grace, we come to you acknowledging the limits of our own human power. We admit that during times of new experiences and stress that we often forget you. We admit that when the busyness of life drains us we forget that through you we can find solace and peace. We admit to hiding ourselves in our own worlds, separating ourselves from others and from you. We forget that you have called us to a life larger than our own; a life lived in community with you and your people.

Help us, Holy Christ, with your eternal love and grace to see our wrong doings. Help us to not conceal ourselves from you. Help us to see that when we become stressed out we can still come to you to receive grace and peace. Help us to remember you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end, the Holy Trinity, and the fountain of all things good. Help us, O Lord; help us to see your presence here and now.

Assurance of Pardon

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are assured that there is no sin so terrible that God cannot forgive, no hurt so terrible that God cannot heal. God accepts, God forgives, and God sets free. Receive the forgiving love of God.

Thanks be to God!

*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.

And also with you.

Anthem Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort Mack Wilberg

Seminary Singers

Scripture Reading Acts 17:16-24

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon “Preaching the Unknown God” Rev. Dr. Osvaldo Garcia


*Hymn PH 263 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

*Benediction

Postlude Psalm XIIIV Benedetto Marcello

Participants in Worship:

Rev. Dr. Osvaldo B. Garcia, Preacher

Ms. Beverly Brewster, Liturgist

Rev. Stephanie Croom, Musician

Dr. Dan Hoggatt, Musician

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Mr. Joshua Dunham, Chaplain's Assistant

Resources: This Far By Faith (1999), The Worship Sourcebook (2004)

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