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 Patty Bell
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, join to sing! Our God is ruler of all creation.
Come, stand and praise! Our God is sovereign over all the earth.
Come, lift your hearts! Jesus, our Savior, has risen from the dead.
Come, rest your souls! Jesus, our Savior, has defeated sin and death.
Come, watch and pray! The Holy Spirit is in this place.
Come, be still and listen! The Holy Spirit will guide us all into worship.
Come now and worship! Give praise to God the Father; Jesus Christ, his son; and the sacred Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Morning Has Broken” UMH 145
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “Just As I Am, Without One Plea” UMH 357
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONHoly Spirit, we take this moment to be still, to listen, to wait. Whisper truth into our hearts. Give us ears to hear the works of the Lord—words that are life-changing, words that transform. Illuminate the Scripture that we read today that we may know and understand more fully the God who loves us, who has saved us, who will one day return to take us home with him. We are so grateful for you, Holy Spirit. Thank you for knowing our hearts. We open them to you. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 PB, pg. 192
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 25:1-13 PB, pg. 26
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
HYMN: “Lamb Of God” Renew 214
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
Gracious heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you hear us and that you care so deeply for us. You know the needs of each person here and, therefore, we trust you with our requests. It seems so often that the pain of our lives is too difficult to bear. But we can rest knowing that you care, that you are sovereign over all, and that nothing outside of your control. Grant each person here your deep, true peace. May they know with all of their hearts that you are listening to their cries. May your will be done in all things. Amen.
CONFESSION
Gracious God, we confess our greed to you. We spend our days striving and working toward wealth that is temporal, wealth that does not bring eternal joy. We are more concerned with the condition of the souls who do not know you. We confess that we forget just how good the Good News of the gospel really is. Give us hearts for the kingdom. Let us seek only the treasure that comes from knowing you. Thank you for your forgiveness. We are not worthy, but you are merciful and we are so grateful. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE: Friends, we have the assurance that Jesus Christ came into the world to forgive sinners. Hear the good news and rejoice: You are forgiven! Hallelujah! Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING: Renew 91
Open our eyes, Lord we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord and help us to listen, open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
COMMUNION AND SENDING FORTH
COMMUNION
*CIRCLE SONG: “Bind Us Together” Renew 292
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord bind us together, bind us together in love.
*BLESSING