September 19, 2021

Molding, Shaping, Forming

By Rev. David Bonnema, September 19, 2021

9:30am

Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema

Opening Songs - “10,000 Reasons” “Goodness of God” - Emma Georgeson

Children’s Message - Bailey Beam

Sermon - “Molding, Shaping Forming”

Today we will explore the image of God as potter and humanity as clay.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the of your hand. -Isaiah 64:8

To illustrate this, we hear a story about the prophet Jeremiah.

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was his hands… -Jeremiah 18:3-4a

Jeremiah’s story illustrates this central point: No piece of clay is in God’s hands.

Why are there times that we do not feel God at work in our lives, molding and shaping us? Isaiah says it is due to us quarreling with our Creator.

What does it mean to quarrel with your Creator?

Right attitude— I am in God’s hands. Make this your daily declaration!


Introduction to Offering - Rev. Dana Seiler

Offering Song - “Holy Water”

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Closing Song - “How Great Thou Art”

Benediction

Postlude


11:00am

Prelude - Jeff Perks

Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema

Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler

Leader: We gather to worship on the Lord’s Day.

People: What will God accomplish among us in this time?

Leader: We have come together for worship and renewal.

People: What will God accomplish among us in this place?

Leader: We are here to offer our praise and thanksgiving. ** People: What will God accomplish among us in our hearts?**

Leader: Confident of God’s handiwork among us at all times and in all places.

People: Let us worship God.

Hymn - “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” - #288

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon

Holy God, we come before You in humility, for we do not live as we ought. We do not love You with our whole heart and mind and strength. We do not love our neighbor as ourselves. So we pray, in all humility, that You will change our hearts and minds, that You will show us again how to love others the way You love us, that You will put power and courage in our hearts to do your will. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Children’s Message - Bailey Beam

Anthem - “All Creatures of our God and King” - Unity Choir

Sermon - “Molding, Shaping, Forming”

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the your hand. -Isaiah 64:8

To illustrate this, we hear a story about the prophet Jeremiah.

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was his hands… -Jeremiah 18:3-4a

Jeremiah’s story illustrates this central point: No piece of clay is God’s hands.

Why are there times that we do not feel God at work in our lives, molding and shaping us? Isaiah says it is due to us quarreling with our Creator.

What does it mean to quarrel with your Creator?

Right attitude— I am in God’s hands. Make this your daily declaration!


Introduction to Offering

Anthem - “The Potter’s Hand” - Unity Choir

Doxology

Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer

Affirmation of Faith - The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn - “All Things Bright and Beautiful” - #267

Benediction

Postlude