GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETING
Leader: As a shepherd seeks a lost sheep,
People: So God seeks and the lost.
Leader: Like a woman who searches for a lost coin until it is found,
People: So God rejoices over one soul restored to wholeness.
Leader: As a father receives a returning wayward son,
People: So God welcomes us, and lets the past be the past.
Leader: Therefore let us praise God in thanksgiving that we received.
People: Let us receive and welcome and rejoice over one another in the name of Jesus Christ.
PRELUDE Gene Risch
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord;
People: He will exalt you.
Leader: Draw near to God;
People: He will draw near to you.
ALL: Come let us worship Him!
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Proverbs 1-20-33
* HYMN “Lift High the Cross” UMH #159
TIME WITH YOUTH Janet Keffer
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION-Unison
Almighty God, we confess that we are often swept up in the tide of our generation. We have failed in our calling to be your holy people, a people set apart for your divine purpose. We live more in apathy born of fatalism than in passion born of hope. We are moved more by private ambition than by social justice. We dream more of privilege and benefits than of service and sacrifice. We try to speak in Your name without relinquishing our glories, without nourishing our souls, without relying wholly on Your grace. Help us to make room in our hearts and lives for You, forgive us, revive us, and reshape us in Your image. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*HYMN “God of Grace, God of Glory” UMH #577
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
O God, all the treasures of the world are Yours, and yet You seem to use especially the gifts we offer You from the abundance with which You already have blessed us. Let these gifts which we here dedicate to Your honor and glory, be a source of particular blessing to the people and the cause of Your kingdom and to the spiritually needy of all the earth. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY UMH #95
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE JOYS AND CONCERNS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 8:27-35
THE MESSAGE Michael Keffer
*HYMN “Amazing Grace” UMH #378
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “He Lives” UMH #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 (We came, Oh God, to praise You; we leave, Oh God to serve You; May Your love be with us until we meet again.)
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*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.