GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In the beginning…
People: In the beginning God created.
Leader: In the beginning was the Word.
People: Darkness was in the beginning. Then God said: “Let there be light!”
Leader: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
People: If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
Leader: Whoever claims to live in the light must walk as Jesus walked.
People: We are people of the light! Let us walk in that light by obeying the Word.
*GREETING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Remember, once you were without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
OPENING PRAYER – Unison
Gracious Lord, We come with joy to worship you.
Forgive our sins that this joy may be pure.
Receive our praise and adoration that you may be blessed by our worship.
Speak to us through your Word, that we may hear your guidance for our lives.
In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 103 PB, PG.531
* HYMN “Now Thank We All Our God” UMH #102
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION-Unison
God of all nations, we praise you that in Christ the barriers that have separated humanity are torn down. Yet we confess our slowness to open our hearts and minds to those of other lands, tongues, and races. Deliver us from the sins of fear and prejudice that we may move toward the day when all are truly one in Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” UMH #577
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Abundant One, we offer you these gifts in gratitude for your steadfast guidance in our lives. We pray that these resources will provide ministries to the suffering, food to the hungry, hope to the poor, a spiritual presence to the needy. In the name of the one who suffered for our sake, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Joys and Concerns
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION-
Living God,
help us so to hear your Word that we may truly understand;
that, understanding, we may believe; and believing,
we may follow your way in all faithfulness,
seeking your honor and glory in all that we do. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 4:2-3, 29-30 PB, PG.182
THE MESSAGE “Words That Help and Heal”
Guest Speaker Michael Keffer
HYMN RESPONSE “Freely, Freely” UMH #389
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 (Go in peace to love and serve your neighbor)
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*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.
Worship resources used by permission of Homiletics.
DON’T FORGET THE FAREWELL BRUNCH POTLUCK FOR PASTOR VICKI NEXT SUNDAY AT 10:30AM