GATHERING
GREETING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PRELUDE Patty Bell
*PRAISE MUSIC: “The Gift Of Love” UMH 408
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.
All: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people; the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
All: For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Leader: Lord, we praise you for your faithfulness. We worship you because you are worthy. May all we do bring honor and glory to your name. Amen.
–based on Psalm 100.
PSALM 119:1-8
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statues! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will observe your statues; do not utterly forsake me.
HYMN: “Freely, Freely” UMH 389
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
Lord, we come before you as a hurting people. Our lives are shaken by the brokenness of the world in which we live. Father, I ask that you would bring peace to our lives today—not a peace that removes the pain but a peace that reminds us that you love us and are with us in our pain. Allow us to know that we are never outside your care. We trust you as our Father, and we thank you for always watching over us, your children. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
You have given us so much—and we often fail to remember that you are the source of all we have. Accept these gifts and use them to further your work in the world. We present not only our monetary offerings, O God, but ourselves. When you made us, you bestowed on each of us talents and gifts. With your help, we seek to channel our passions and use those gifts in your service and to your glory. Amen
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
“Breathe On Me, Breath Of God” UMH 420
Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed,
we may hear with joy what you say to us today.
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 5:21-37 PB, pg. 4NT
EPISTLE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 PB, pg. 157NT
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
RESPONSE HYMN: “Forward Through The Ages” UMH 555
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” UMH 557
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
*BLESSING