GATHERING
GREETING
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
ANNOUNCEMENTS Laity Sunday
PRELUDE Patty Bell
CALL TO WORSHIP
From the beginning, God entered into covenant with the human family: with Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Deborah, Ruth, and Jeremiah.
Through baptism, Jesus Christ calls us into the covenant and makes us ministers if Christ’ righteousness.
All Christian ministry is Christ’s work of outreaching love. It demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship.
All Christians are called to Christ’s servanthood in the world, to the glory of God and for human fulfillment.
The Church, as the community of the new covenant, participates in Christ’s ministry of grace.
It stretches out to human needs wherever service may convey God’s love and ours.
In our ministry of servant-hood is this ultimate concern:
That all may be renewed in the image of their Creator, and that all Christians are called to minister in deeds and words that heal and free. Amen.
*PRAISE MUSIC “We are the Church” UMH 558
MESSAGE OF THANKSGIVING Ann Rees
HYMN: “We Gather Together” UMH 131
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns Susie Lidbeck
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
OFFERATORY 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
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Acts 20:17-28 PB, pg. 133
MESSAGE OF THANKSGIVING
SENDING FORTH
*CLOSING HYMN: “Jesus Loves Me” UMH 191
*CIRCLE SONG: “Shalom To You” UMH 666
Shalom to you now, Shalom, my friends. May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends. In all your living and through your loving, Christ be your Shalom, Christ be your Shalom.
*BLESSING