GATHERING
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Robert Reese
CALLL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Here we are Lord, Your creatures standing before You.
All: Gathered together to praise You and worship You.
Leader: This is Your day Father and we thank you for giving this day to all of us.
All: Help us to always remember that each day is a blessing and a gift from You for we are not owed anything from You.
Leader: Be with us in our midst and let us feel Your breath upon our faces
All: And hold us close to You each day of our lives. Amen
* HYMN “There is a Balm in Gilead” UMH #375
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION-Unison
We admit, God of Light, that we are much faster at talking, and too slow at listening. We are quick to engage in power-pleasing hyperbole, but hesitant to hear your simple words of hope, of justice, of renewal. We do not notice how our casual speech can cause great harm and pain to those around us.
Forgive us, God of majesty and mercy, and let your grace refresh us like summer afternoon’s rain shower.
Pour your hope into our empty souls, till it overflows to all we have damaged. Call us to new life through the words and witness of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in whose name we lift our prayers to you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
TIME WITH YOUTH Janet Keffer
*HYMN “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” UMH #526
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 125
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving and gracious God, accept these tithes and offerings presented by your people, that Your work may be accomplished and Your will be done here and around the world. Follow these gifts and follow us with Your blessings, that together we may be used to Your glory, and for the good of all humankind.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY
JOYS AND CONCERNS-PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Janet Keffer
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 7:31-37
THE MESSAGE Michael Keffer
*HYMN “Blessed Assurance” UMH#369
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “He Lives” Hymn #310
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives! He lives within my heart.
*BLESSING (May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed. Office hours: Thursday and Saturday 9am-12pm, 928-639-3871.