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
Welcome and Announcements
Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note
Opening Prayer Becky Yaeckel
Holy God, creator of the universe, author of faith itself, infuse your people with trust so that as you have given life to your people throughout the ages, we too might know the true healing that comes from your steadfast word, through Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Responsive) Becky Yaeckel
All who are righteous, shout with joy to our God!
Let us sing a new song!
Praise God and give thanks, with organs, with guitars, with all kinds of instruments!
Play your best with joy!
Because our Creator’s word is right, and everything God does is done for our good.
Let your faithful love surround us, O God!
*Hymn Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart #804
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Becky Yaeckel
Merciful God, you remind us through Scripture that you desire mercy and not sacrifice. You showed us an example of your mercy in the life and actions of Jesus Christ. Let your church live out that mercy for others, as the healing and compassionate presence that Jesus was in the world. In his name we pray. Amen.
*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)
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 Becky Yaeckel
By your Word, O God, everything was made. Your Word is powerful and can transform the hearts of men and women. Speak to us today, O God. Open our hearts and minds to your renovating Word, and give us guidance and strength. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Psalm 33:1-4 Becky Yaeckel
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Word in Music Christopher Bunch
New Testament Reading Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*Hymn You Walk Along Our Shoreline #170
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) from a Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
Prayers of the People / Lord’s Prayer (Responsive)
…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.
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Christopher Bunch
*Doxology #606
*Prayer of Dedication
WE GO OUT TO SERVE
*Hymn We Come to You for Healing, Lord #796
*Blessing
May God our Creator bless you so that you can be a blessing to others. May Christ bless you so that you can be healers of a world that is hurting. May the Holy Spirit bless you so that you can spread the love that God desires and gifts to this world. Amen.
Postlude Christopher Bunch