Welcome to Worship

We gather to worship, we go out to serve.

 

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

* Please rise in body or spirit

Tolling of the Bell

Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note

Welcome and Announcements                                 Linda Thompson

Welcome to this sacred space. As everywhere, we find God here. 

Opening Prayer                                                            Linda Thompson             

Heavenly Father, Thank You for this day and for bringing us together in Your presence. We are grateful for Your unfailing love — a love that never leaves us, that forgives, restores, and gives us hope. As we worship, open our hearts to You. Fill this place with Your Spirit and let our songs and prayers bring You glory. We honor You, we praise You, and we thank You for loving us beyond measure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prelude                                                                        Christopher Bunch

*Call to Worship (Responsive)                                 Ginette Mitchener

Leader: Come, let us worship the Lord, who is our refuge and strength.

People: We come, trusting in God’s unfailing love.

Leader: From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

People: We lift our hearts and voices to glorify God forever.

*Hymn                  O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go                          #833

Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison)                          Ginette Mitchener

God of this new morning, you have awakened us to the brightness of your dawn.  Make our face shine today with the joy of your grace, so that another is helped to see your presence and find hope. Lord, help me love others as You love me. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)                        Ginette Mitchener

In gratitude for the gift of forgiveness, let us share God’s peace with each other. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

*Congregational Response         In My Life                            #468 v.1,4

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today,

In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In your world, Lord, be glorified today. 

HEARING THE WORD 

Prayer for Illumination                                               Linda Thompson 

Gracious and Loving God, Open our hearts to the depth of Your love, that we may see the world through the eyes of compassion. Shine Your light upon our minds, so that every word we hear from Scripture is wrapped in the warmth of Your mercy. Let Your Spirit guide our thoughts, soften our hearts where they have grown hard, and strengthen our will to walk in the way of love. Through Jesus Christ, the embodiment of Your grace, we pray. Amen

Old Testament Reading            Isaiah 54: 10                   Linda Thompson 

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Word in Music                                                                                               Christopher Bunch

Message                               Presented by

the Worship Committee and Readers

from the Congregation: 

 Selected Readings from

 Mostly What God Does, Reflections on Seeking

and Finding His Love Everywhere

                                                                 by Savannah Guthrie                                                                        

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)                                      Ginette Mitchener

Through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who taught us this prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.

WE GO OUT TO SERVE 

*Hymn              Though I May Speak                                                   #693

NOTE: As we sing our closing hymn, we will pass our offering plates for your tithes and offerings.

*Offertory Prayer and Blessing     (Responsive)         Becky Yaeckel

We give thanks to our Lord for the offering given, the fellowship in this place and the breakfast we are about to share, let us pray:

Lord, bless this offering received. Bless this time with these friends, and may it be rich in love and peace. Let our hearts be open to one another, and may we leave this table united and uplifted. Amen.

Postlude                                                                      Christopher Bunch