Sunday Worship Bulletin - Fourth Church

Bulletins are posted on the day prior.

Sunday, February 1, 2026
9:30 a.m. Worship Service

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PRELUDE

“Trois Gymnopédies”
Erik Satie

INTROIT
“Holy, Holy, Lord”
George Thalben-Ball

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

One Holy, holy, holy Lord:
All: whose foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
One: Holy, holy, holy Lord:
All: whose weakness is stronger than human strength.
One: Holy, holy, holy Lord:
All: Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

HYMN
“Holy, Holy, Holy”

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, you have told us the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, and the meek shall inherit the earth, yet we do not live lives that proclaim that truth. We have offered little comfort to those in mourning. We have not extended mercy, sought to be peacemakers, or truly hungered and thirsted for your righteousness. Lord, forgive us. Renew our hearts, that we might better see and serve you. Help us shake off the apathy that comes from thinking we are too small to make a difference. Give us the assurance of your Holy Spirit that we are part of your plan for blessing this world. Trusting in your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

DECLARATION OF PARDON
One: Friends, believe the good news.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.

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TIME WITH CHILDREN

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRST LESSON
1 Corinthians 1:18–31

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (NRSV)

One: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

SECOND LESSON
Matthew 5:1–12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NRSV)

SERMON
Camille Cook Howe

HYMN
“All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”

1. All who hunger, gather gladly; holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

2. All who hunger, never strangers, seeker, be a welcome guest. Come from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast. We that once were lost and scattered in communion’s love have stood. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

3. All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread. Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led. Blest are those who from this table live their days in gratitude. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

OFFERING

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OFFERTORY ANTHEM
“Sing To the Lord a New Song”
Willis L. Barnett
Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord a new song. Enter his presence with thanksgiving and praise. Sing praise to his holy name, sing and rejoice before the Lord. Give thanks and bless his holy name. Worship and bow before the Lord for God is worthy of all praise!

OFFERTORY RESPONSE

A grateful heart is what I bring, a song of praise, my offering.
Among the saints I lift my voice: in you, O God, I will rejoice.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We will lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer
Leader: . . . forever singing to the glory of your name:

Sanctus (sung)
The Hymnal, 565
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power, God of might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

Leader: . . . Great is the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation (sung)
The Hymnal, 566
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. (repeat)

The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Communion

Communion Anthem
“Agnus Dei” (Lamb of God)
Paul Halley
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace.

*Prayer after Communion
Holy one, we give thanks for this feast of life through which your beloved son Jesus. Feeds us with your love and strengthens us by his faith. Now send us forth into this world to live your way and share your joy. May we feed as we have been fed, forgive as we have been forgiven, And love as we have been loved. Amen.

HYMN
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!”

1. Rejoice, ye pure in heart! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing! Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

2. With voice as full and strong as ocean’s surging praise, send forth the sturdy hymns of old, the psalms of ancient days. (Refrain)

3. Yes, on through life’s long path, still chanting as ye go, from youth to age, by night and day, in gladness and in woe: At last the march shall end; the wearied ones shall rest; the pilgrims find their home at last, Jerusalem the blest. (Refrain)

4. Then on, ye pure in heart! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing! Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King. (Refrain)

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

CHORAL BENEDICTION

“Amen”
P. C. Lutkin

POSTLUDE
“Toccata”
Theodore Dubois

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