GATHERING
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Kathy Nash
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Let us focus on God’s presence.
People: In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst…
Leader: Come worship a God who feeds the hungry.
People: In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed…
Leader: Come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.
People: In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumors of war…
Leader: Come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.
People: In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness…
Leader: Come worship a God who gives life meaning.
People: Come; let us worship the Lord, whose grace and love know no end!
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 124
* HYMN “Great is Thy Faithfulness” UMH #140
CALL TO CONFESSION AND RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF CONFESSION-
Leader: Creator God, with the breath of your word, you formed this world, but we perverted Your providence. So we are born into a twisted world, bent by its way. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Make us new.
Leader: You made us to hunger after you, but we have become captive to selfish desires. We turn our eyes from souls and bellies that are empty so we can stay glutted. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Make us new.
Leader: You made us to be in communion with one another, yet we’re so afraid of others’ expectations that we shut them out before they can get too near. We see them as a threat, and label them bad. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Make us new.
Leader: You alone are ruler of the universe, but we keep trying to take your job. We grab for power and seek control, doing violence to all who get in our way or challenge our truth. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Make us new.
Leader: Basically Lord, we want to be in charge, and we want it all, the way we want it, when we want it. In our dominance, we break communion with you as Lord and also with others. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Make us new.
Leader: We stand exposed in the light of your eternal love, filled with death, yet longing for life. You alone have the power to break our bondage to sin.
People: Forgive us Lord.
Leader: Cover us with your compassion, and refashion us in your image. This we pray through Christ, our only hope.
People: Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SPECIAL MUSIC “How Great Thou Art” Kathy Nash
TIME WITH YOUTH Janet Keffer
*HYMN “Praise to the Lord the Almighty” UMH #139
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God; we belong to You, not only the offerings of our hands, but the dedication of our minds, the obedience of our wills, and the love of our hearts. Accept all this, we pray; in the Name of Christ, Your Son, our Savoir. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE JOYS AND CONCERNS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 9:38-50
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
THE MESSAGE Michael Keffer
*HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” UMH #577
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “He Lives” Hymn #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)
*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.