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!                     

PRELUDE                                                                               Kathy Nash

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:  Are you weary, worn out, tired?

All: Yes, My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Leader: Do you feel frail, weak and uncertain of your future?

All: truly God is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Leader: Are you trusting in your own strength?

All: My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Leader: Trust in him at all times, You People; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.    –based on Psalm 65:5-8

PRAISE HYMN   “I Want to Walk as a Child of Light”        UMH 206

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                                  UMH 881

TIME WITH THE YOUTH

PSALM 30                                                                             UMH 762

HYMN   :           “Just As I Am”                                            UMH 357

  PRAYERS AND OFFERING

CONFESSION AND PARDON: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelledagainst your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have notheard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns

PASTORAL PRAYER

Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence here. Thank you for guiding us as we journey along life’s path. Thank you for knowing the words we wish to pray but can’t. Thank you for your gentle whispers. Thank you for giving us great comfort. Without you, we would be lost and so we take a moment to express our gratitude. And we thank you, Father, for giving us the Spirit, so that we may know the Son. In the name of the holy three, Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

 We offer our gifts in gratitude for all you have given us, loving God. We are amazed at your wondrous love which includes instead of excludes and tempers justice with mercy. How grateful we are for your unconditional acceptance. With our gifts we give our lives, that we might go and do likewise in the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”                  UMH 95

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord of our lives, we know you are always present to us. Help us be present to you as we prepare to hear your word as revealed in the Scriptures. Keep us alert that we might hear, and hearing, respond. Amen.

GOSPEL LESSON:      Mark 1: 40-45                                             PB, pg. 34

EPISTLE LESSON:     1 Corinthians 9:24-27                         PB, pg. 162

THE MESSAGE:                                                           Pastor Vicki Lerdahl

HYMN RESPONSE: “When We All Get To Heaven”            UMH 701

SENDING FORTH

CIRCLE SONG

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”

*BLESSING

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*Stand as able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.

Bulletin/ sermon used by permission from Homiletics.