GATHERING
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
PRELUDE Patty Bell
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Today is the day for worship!
Many: We have come to worship!
One: Today is the day to rejoice!
Many: We have come to rejoice!
One: Today is the day to declare God’s greatness!
Many: We have come to declare God’s greatness!
One: Today is the day to hear from the LORD!
Many: We have come to hear from the LORD!
All: God, we worship you today for you are great and greatly to be praised!
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” UMH 694
INVOCATION
God of all creation, we, your children, come together in the spirit of hope. Hope for the fullness you have promised; that the pains of this present day are not even worth comparing to the glory you are going to reveal to us. God, we come here together to praise and to wait and to renew our strength in your Word and your presence.
PSALM 139:1-12, 23-24 PB, pg. 552
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty” UMH 139
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, what a gift it is to be able to call you Father. To call you Father means that we are your children. You love us so well and provide for our daily needs. Father, teach us how to live as children of light, as children of you. Help us not to run to others or try to fix our lives on our own. Let us always come to you first. You know us better than we know ourselves. Increase our faith and let us become like little children—always knowing that our Father knows best. Thank you for calling us your own.
And now as the children of God let us pray the prayer our Lord taught us:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE: “Doxology” UMH 70
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. A-men. A-men.
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONJesus, you often taught in parables. You used stories to help your listeners understand deeper truths. As we look at your parables today, give us eyes to see the truth you are showing us, ears to hear it well, and hearts that are ready and willing to respond in obedience. Thank you for giving us your words. May they leave a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds today. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Romans 8:12-25 PB, pg. 148
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 PB, pg. 13
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
*HYMN RESPONSE: “Nearer, My God, To Thee” UMH 528
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “We Shall Overcome” UMH 533
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday! Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome someday!
*BLESSING