Sunday, October 20, 2024

Our pastor, Rev. AJ Ochart, will be out of town this weekend, spending some time in Denver engaged in continuing education. We pray for safe travels, and a time of renewal for him. Filling the pulpit will be Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon. Buz grew up in Fairhope, AL. He attended Presbyterian College (BA) and Columbia Theological Seminary (MDiv & DMin). He served as the associate pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC and the senior pastor of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL. In July 2022 he began serving as the inaugural Marianne & E.G. Lassiter Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College. Buz serves on the board of trustees for Columbia Theological Seminary and has written a number of hymns that have been published in Presbyterian resources. He and his wife, Ryann, are the proud parents of two children: Lohi and Wilson.

Theme

We find ourselves in an unknown territory today. The call of the church is be faithful disciples, but doing so in a “post-Christendom” society is new, scary, and uncharted. How will we respond to this calling? Perhaps, we can do so faithfully with a spirit of adventure.

Reflections:

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Introit: One of the references for “Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!” are the opening verses of Psalm 90, from which our Call to Worship is taken/

Opening Hymn: Our opening hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” come from Psalm 90 as well, a paraphrase of the chapter.

Transition Hymn: “Know That God Is Good”

Special Music: “Be Thou My Vision”, arr. by Skip Stradtman, sung by the Chancel Choir

Responsive Hymn: As our responsive hymn, a suggestion from Rev. Dr. Wilcoxon, one of my favorites, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

Sending Hymn: For the sending hymn, I chose one the selections for the Revised Common Lectionary, which is a paraphrase of Psalm 91: “You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord”

Benediction: “Now Go in Joy”.