Weekly worship of Parson's Parish, and innovative Justice Project of Parson's Porch & Company. David Russell Tullock, Executive Director

1. Parson’s Parish Week of August 28, 2011

2. Welcome!

3. Opening Song

4. Opening Prayer We come to you this morning, the source of life. We come to you, the reason for our hope. We come to you, the author of love. We come to you, helper in time of trouble. We come to you, the One who knows our inner being. We come to you, the One who cleanses our souls. Hear our prayer, and accept our worship, in the name of your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

5. Matthew 16:24-26 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”

6. Confession of Sin We remember with shame the unjust judgments we have made based on race, or appearance, or social status. We remember with shame our words spoken with harshness and haste. We remember with shame our thoughts that were unworthy of our Christian profession. We remember with shame our preoccupation with material possessions. For these things of which we are ashamed, and for others as well, we ask for pardon in the name of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ.

7. Assurance of Pardon Here the Good News! Through Jesus Christ, Your sins are forgiven!!

8. Prayers We pray today, as we often have, for those who are experiencing health problems of various kinds. We thank you for the skill of medical personnel, and we thank you for fine medical facilities. But we also know that you are our Creator and are ultimately our healer, so we come to you in our time of need. We pray for those who are living with a life-threatening illness. Perhaps they have just received the news, or perhaps it is a condition they have been struggling with for some time, but in any case it is a time of great stress. Be with their family as well, as they give support and encouragement and at the same time deal with their own anxiety. We pray for those who will be undergoing surgery in the near future. Whether it is called major or minor, it can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety, and we pray for the confidence that comes when we know that you love us and care for us. We pray also for those who are in the later years of life, when health problems occur with increasing frequency. Uphold and strengthen them, we pray, and give them the peace that comes with the knowledge that they are kept in the hollow of your hand.

9. The Sermon “Why Follow Jesus” Dr. David Russell Tullock

10. The Benediction Go! Remember! God’s Goodness, Grace and Love is with you!