31 October 2023 – Chapel – Drew Theo Chapel

Gathering Music

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee” – Anonymous

1 I am weak, but thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
as I walk, let me walk close to thee.
Refrain:
Just a closer walk with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
daily walking close to thee:
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2 Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but thee. [Refrain]
3 When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
guide me gently, safely o’er
to thy shore, dear Lord, to thy shore. [Refrain]

“Guide My Feet” – Negro Spiritual

1 Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

2 Hold my hand while I run this race.
Hold my hand while I run this race.
Hold my hand while I run this race.
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

3 Stand by me while I run this race.
Stand by me while I run this race.
Stand by me while I run this race.
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

4 I’m your child while I run this race.
I’m your child while I run this race.
I’m your child while I run this race.
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

5 Search my heart while I run this race.
Search my heart while I run this race.
Search my heart while I run this race.
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

6 Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race.
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

Call to Worship

JunGyu Park

(adapted from Thom M. Shuman)

Leader: We look in the mirror and what do we see?
All: We see people who try to be faithful,
even as questions and struggles challenge our faith.
Leader: We look in the mirror and how do we see?
All: We see with hearts which are open to God’s love,
with lives which seek to trust when all the evidence
tells us not to be so foolish.
Leader: We look in the mirror and who do we see?
All: We see a community that struggles together
with the questions we raise,
seeking to be faithful followers.

Opening Song

“Lead Me, Guide Me” – Doris Akers

(Refrain)
Lead me guide me
along the way
for if you lead me
I cannot stray
Lord let me walk
each day with thee
lead me O Lord lead me

I am weak and I need
thy strength and power
to help me over
my weakest hour
heal me through
the darkness thy face to see
Lead me O Lord lead me

(Refrain)

I am lost if you take
your hand from me
I am blind without
thy Light to see
Lord just always let me
thy servant be
Lead me O Lord lead me

(Refrain)

Opening Prayer

Jen Lundberg

(adapted from Kate Compston)

When nothing is right,
when we are weary and lost,
when clouds dull the sky,
help us to be still.

When our cries are unheeded,
when no effort bears fruit,
when the sun sets,
help us to be still.

When love is over,
when hope is gone,
when darkness covers the land,
help us to be still.

For in being still,
in refusing to panic or despair,
we shall come to know that God is there,
suffering alongside and with us,
waiting to show us stepping-stones through the swirling waters,
and to help us sing a new song. Amen.

Scripture Reading – Job 2: 1-10

Esther Inuwa

1One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present themself before the Lord. 2The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.” 4Then Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. 5But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life.”
7So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. 9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.” 10But he said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God.