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
One:Lord, for who you are. And all you do in our lives;
Many: Thank you!
One: For all the times you gave us a shove in the right direction;
Many:Thank you!
One: For the times that we were so wrapped up in what was going on that we forgot to say it;
Many:Thank you!
One:For all the answered prayers;
Many:Thank you!
One: Lord, help us in all circumstances and situations always to remember to say,
Many: Thank you!
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” UMH 64
INVOCATION
Holy Spirit fill this place. May you be our guide as we worship, our voice as we sing, our hearts as we pray, our ears as we listen. Please clear our minds and hearts of the distractions of daily life, of thoughts about tomorrow’s responsibilities, of anxiety about yesterday’s mistakes and of dread over a sense of our unworthiness. Instead, fill us with only you. You are the reason we come together and we invite you to be center of all that happens in this place. Thank you for your presence among us. Amen.
PSALM 99 PB, pg. 529
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me” UMH 361
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds that by the power of your Holy Spirit, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed we may hear what have to say to us this day. Amen
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 22:15-22 PB, pg. 23
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 PB, pg. 190
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
OFFERING PRAYER
Most gracious and loving God, author of all that is good and just, we present this offering as our way of saying thank you. Thank you for not turning your back on us. Thank you for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank you for your patience when we are struggling through life. So, we ask you today to accept this offering of thanksgiving and transform it into your love, felt throughout the globe. Amen.
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING: “Doxoloy” 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.
SENDING FORTH
*CLOSING HYMN: “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty” UMH 139
*CIRCLE SONG: “I Love You, Lord” Renew 36
I love You Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You, O my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what You hear; may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.
*BLESSING