GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
GREETING
In the midst of life’s storms, God is there.
What have we to fear?
In the darkness and terror, God is with us.
Of whom shall we be afraid?
Rise up, people of God, for you are loved and saved.
Thanks be to God who cares deeply for us. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Mark: 4:35-41 PB, pg. 36
Opening Hymn “Blessed Assurance, Jesus in Mine” UMH 369
INVOCATION
Gracious God who lives and loves through each one, meet us here today as we worship. Teach us in our time together to accept one another as you have accepted each one already. Let your church be the vessel of healing and wholeness, compassion and encouragement, strength and comfort. Have mercy on your church that we might with one voice give glory and praise to you. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
They can be such giants in our lives, God of Grace. Each day, our fears, our doubts, our worries wash over us, until we come to believe that you do not care for us. There seems to be so much wrong in the world, we are convinced that there is nothing good we can do. The storms of sin and temptation batter at us, and we cower, unable to find the faith to withstand them.
Forgive us, God of Hope. Remind us that if we but open our hearts, you will heal us. If we but listen to your words, we will hear peace and joy. If we but open our lives to you, we can go forth to serve our sisters and brothers, even as we have been served by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and concerns.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” UMH 64
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Abundant One, we offer you these gifts in gratitude for your steadfast guidance in our lives. We pray that these resources will provide ministries to the suffering, food to the hungry, hope to the poor, a spiritual presence to the needy. In the name of the one who suffered for our sake, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION-
Living God, help us to hear your Word so that we may truly understand; that, understanding, we may believe; and believing, we may follow your way in all faithfulness, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do.
Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 Samuel 17: (4-11, 19-23), 32-49 PB, pg.284
THE MESSAGE Guest speaker Michael Keffer
HYMN RESPONSE “Be Thou My Vision” UMH 241
SENDING FORTH
*BLESSING (Go in peace to love and serve your neighbor as you would want to be loved and served).