GATHERING
GREETING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Patty Bell
INVOCATION
Gracious God, all the earth magnifies your holy name. The hills sing together for joy, the seas roar, the mountains clap. If we, as your people, do not praise you, even the stones will break their silence to shout your glory. But we want to give the stones a day off! Today, in this place, we your people come to worship you, to lift high the matchless name of Jesus, to sing praise with our whole beings, to proclaim the wonder and majesty of the God of the universe. None can compare to you, Lord, and we offer our worship in humility and thanksgiving. We pray that it will be pleasing to you. Amen.
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Fairest Lord Jesus” UMH 189
OPENING PRAYER:
Sovereign God, we call upon your Spirit to equip and enable us to be the hands and feet of Christ to the world in need. There are those who have been displaced who need a safe haven; those who are hungry who need a filling meal and clean drinking water; those who are ill who need medicine and a comforting touch. There are children who have been left orphaned by violence; teenagers left bereft by hopelessness and despair; adults who long to provide for their families but are stuck in cycles of poverty. There are many who place their lives on the line to speak the name of Jesus or to walk into a church for worship.
Into these situations we are called to minister your love and grace—to give generously sacrificially with no thought of return or thanks; to pray fervently and without ceasing; to go serve as though we are serving Christ; to love unconditionally, press for justice, and hold the hope of those who have given up. Grant us, by the power of your Spirit, the desire and the courage to wade into the struggles of our world because it is what Christ would have us do. Amen.
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” UMH 581
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Our heavenly Father, every good and perfect gift comes from you. We recognize that all we’ve been given is a blessing from our Father, who loves us. As we bring our offerings to you this morning, we do so humbly. We know we wouldn’t have gifts to bring if it weren’t for your blessing and generosity toward us. And so we come to bless and give generously back to you. May our offerings be pleasing to you and come from pure and grateful hearts. And may all that we give be used to further your kingdom. In your holy name. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
“Doxology” UMH 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
God of all truth and light, speak to us now, we pray, through the words of your Holy Scripture that we may have direction for our path, comfort in our suffering, conviction of our sin, and hope for the future. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah: 55:1-5 PB, pg. 650
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 14:13-21 PB, pg. 15
THE MESSAGE: Guest Speaker Michael Keffer
*HYMN RESPONSE: “Freely, Freely” UMH 389
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Surely The Presence” UMH 328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING