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
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Lord is great and greatly to be praised!
We have come together today to worship.
What a gift it is to come together as the people of God.
Whatever worries and distractions we have, we lay them at the feet of Jesus.
We bring ourselves completely before the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
For our Lord is great and greatly to be praised!
Let us worship him together now.
*PRAISE MUSIC: “This is the Day of New Beginnings” UMH 383
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 133: The Message Bible translation PB, pg. 550
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe and proclaim that you are the one, true, holy God.
We believe and are thankful that you have given us salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe and are humbled that you extend your grace to everyone.
We believe that you have called us to love and serve in the name of Jesus and we will respond in obedience.
We believe and rejoice that you are coming again. May our hearts be ever ready!
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Father, you are so good to us. We know that you care for us so deeply. Thank you for the gift of your provision. We have food and shelter and know that there are so many who do not. For this reason, we give sacrificially today. Giving back to you brings us great joy and we pray that our gifts will be a joy to your heart. And along with our money, we give you ourselves. We hold nothing back, for you held nothing back from us. The gift of your Son has allowed us to be forgiven and to know you. With thankful hearts, we give you our lives, for we know they belong to you. Lead us and we will follow. In your holy and precious name, Amen.
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING UMH 70
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew: 15 (10-20), 21-28 PB, pg. 15NT
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Genesis 45:1-15 PB, pg. 41OT
THE MESSAGE Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
*HYMN RESPONSE: “Where Charity and Love Prevail” UMH 549
SENDING FORTH
*BLESSING