GATHERING
GREETINGAND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
INVOCATION
Father in heaven, you have blessed us with another day and we are so grateful. We have set aside this day to worship you. It seems a small measure of time compared to the great care you show us each and every moment. But, our hope is that in these few moments you will be glorified in all that we say and do and sing. We have planned and prepared our songs and words, but they are nothing if not from you. We ask that you be the center of our worship; where you lead us we will follow. Lead on, O God. Amen.
*PRAISE MUSIC: “I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light” UMH 206
PSALM 123
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us, O Lord have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease of the contempt of the proud.
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross” UMH 301
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 PB, pg. 192
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 25:14-30 PB, pg. 26
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
*HYMN RESPONSE: “What Gift Can We Bring” UMH 87
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
CONFESSION
Our gracious Savior, how many times must we fall before you in
repentance?We are so broken. We desire to be holy, but apart from you,
we are nothing.Thank you for forgiveness that is higher and wider and
deeper than the ocean.Your grace extends beyond the sky. We confess
our weakness and failure,knowing that you see us no longer as sinners,
but as holy children, chosen anddearly loved. Pick us up, for we have
fallen. We choose to run to you. We areyour grateful sons and daughters.
Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE: Friends, we have the assurance that Jesus Christ came into the world to forgive sinners. Hear the good news and rejoice: You are forgiven! Hallelujah! Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
Glory Be to The Father UMH 70
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Shalom To You” UMH 666
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends. May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends. In all your living and through your loving, Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
*BLESSING