GATHERING
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christbe with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
PRELUDE Bob Reese
INVOCATION
Holy God, we are awed by your power, humbled by your mystery, astounded by your glory. We cannot help but respond in worship, at once prayerfully silent and yet bursting with unrestrained praise and joy. We celebrate you as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We trust in your sovereign purposes, we take refuge in your strength, and we rest in your perfect love for each one of us and for the world. We place ourselves in your presence during this hour that you may speak and impart your wisdom and your will to us. We thank you that you still speak to your people and we ask that you grant us the courage and grace to respond in faith and obedience. Amen.
HYMN: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” UMH 57
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Leader: How blessed is God! And what a blessing God is to us and to the world!
Women: Long before God laid the earth’s foundations, the Lord chose us to belong to him.
Men: We are chosen to be made whole and holy by God’s love.
Leader: God adopted us, making us part of the divine family.
Women: Adopting us was part of God’s plan and will. It also brought God great delight!
Men: Not only are we God’s children, we are redeemed because of what Jesus Christ did for us.
Leader: Jesus poured out his blood on our behalf and forgave our sins.
Women: God set us free—abundantly free—from the penalties of our misdeeds. Praise God!
Men: God provided for everything we could possibly need.
Leader: It is in Christ that we discover who we are and what we are created to be.
Women: The Holy Spirit is the sign, seal and promise that God can be trusted.
Men: A glorious inheritance awaits us as God’s beloved people.
All: Hallelujah! May it be so! Amen.
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
PSALM 24 UMH 755
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. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Ephesians 1:3-14 PB, pg. 180
GOSPEL LESSON: Mark 6:14-29 PB, pg. 39
THE MESSAGE
RESPONSE HYMN: “Take My Life” UMH 399
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Father, you have blessed us beyond measure, and you have called us to worship. May our gifts flow from hearts of worship to the One who provides all we need. May we never forget that all we have is yours. Take it and use it according to your will. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING UMH 94
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING FORTH
CLOSING HYMN: “How Great Thou Art” UMH 77
*BLESSING
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*Stand as able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed..
Worship sources used by permission of Homiletics