Worship

OPEN HOUSE WORSHIP
Sunday, August 29, 2021

Jesus answered, “Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull’s-eye in fact:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they are worshiping me, but they don’t mean it.
   They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy,
    Ditching God’s command and taking up the latest fads.”
    

Mark 7:6-8 The Message

INSTRUMENTAL OPENING

Kevin McCullough, Contemporary Music Director

Get Coffee and Be Seated

OPENING MUSIC

Praise Band

“Everlasting Love”

WELCOME & ANNOUNCMENTS                                                                                             

Pastor Jeffrey

OPENING PRAYER                                                                             

WORSHIP IN SONG

“Better is One Day”

TIME FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH                                                                                               

Robbie Frederiksen, Youth Ministry Director                                                                             

WORSHIP IN SONG

Praise Band

“Cry of My Heart”

JOYS AND CONCERNS

SCRIPTURE READING                                  

James 1:17-27

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

SERMON                                                                                                                                          

Pastor Jeffrey D. Hall

Religion That’s Worth Something

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS

“My Own Little World”

WORSHIP IN SONG

Praise Band

“If You Say Go”

BENEDICTION

CLOSING MUSIC

“If You Say Go” (Reprise)

* Stand as you are able

Worship
August 15, 2021

OPEN HOUSE WORSHIP

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

                                                                                                            Psalm 111:1-4

INSTRUMENTAL OPENING

Kevin McCullough, Contemporary Music Director

Get Coffee and Be Seated

OPENING MUSIC

Praise Band

“Blessed Be the Rock”

WELCOME & ANNOUNCMENTS                                                                                            

Pastor Jeffrey

*OPENING PRAYER                                                                           

WORSHIP IN SONG

Praise Band

“King of Kings”

CHILDREN’S TIME                                                                                                                      
Shelley Ahn-Wong, Director of Children’s Ministries

WORSHIP IN SONG

Praise Band

“I Lift My Eyes Up”

JOYS AND CONCERNS

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                      

Ephesians 5:15-20

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

SERMON                                                          

Pastor Jeffrey

Living with Gratitude

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS

Praise Band

“Refiner’s Fire”

WORSHIP IN SONG

“I Will Rise”

*BENEDICTION

CLOSING MUSIC

“I Will Rise” (Reprise)

* Stand as you are able

Worship
August 8, 2021

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST

GATHERING MUSIC                                                                                                                      

Joyce Rhodes, organ

“In Summer” ~ Charles A. Stebbins

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” – tune – “Beecher” ~ arr. Don Hustad

PRELUDE                                                                                                                                         

Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Adagietto” ~ Leon Dallin

CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING                                                                                              

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

      THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE

      INSTRUMENTAL                                        

“Come and Find the Quiet Center” ~ TFWS #2128

Variations on “Beach Spring” ~ arr. Austin C. Lovelace

WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                        

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                     

Bob Petrokas

      L:   The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

      P: And also with you.

L:   Out of the depths we cry to you, O God.
P:  Let your ears be attentive to the voice of our supplication.

      L:   Our souls wait for you, O Lord, more than those who watch for the morning.

      P: Here, we find refuge and strength. Here, we find forgiveness and love.

      L:   Come, let us worship the One who hears our heart’s cry.

      P:  Let our worship be an offering.

*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)                                                                                                   

Bob Petrokas

Love Divine, we come to you eager to be refreshed by song, by word, by the presence of your Holy Spirit as we gather as a reconciling community of faith. Come to us, we pray, not only to comfort, but also to challenge – to move us toward your purposes that we might abide in your love and live as imitators of Christ. Amen.

*HYMN                                                               

Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer

                                       “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” ~ UMH #384

TIME FOR CHILDREN                                                                                                                   

Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director

THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)                                                                                 

Bob Petrokas

Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                                                                   

Bob Petrokas

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

      L:   The Word of Life.

      P:  Thanks be to God. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE                                                

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

      L:  Let us confess the ways we have missed the mark and fallen short of God’s best for our lives.

      P:  In hard times, guide us, O God. When feelings flare among family, friends, or strangers, cause us to pause, to breathe, and to wait upon you. In our anguish, we speak words that are destructive and hurtful. In our pain, we nurture anger and resentment, shutting ourselves off from paths of healing and wholeness. Let all malice and bitterness give way to that which edifies and builds up. Dry our tears, Compassionate One, and lead us anew in ways of mercy, kindness, and love. Amen.

      L:   Friends, the steadfast love of God never fails to forgive and make us whole. Hear the Good News: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!  

      P:  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                                                                                           

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

      L:   Let us affirm our faith as one.

      P:  We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.  Amen.

      PRAYER CARDS COLLECTED

HYMN                                                                 

Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer

                                        “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” ~ UMH #474

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE                                                                                                  

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                         

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                                                                   

Bob Petrokas

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

      L:   The Word of Life.

      P:  Thanks be to God. Amen.

SERMON                                                                                                                                          

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

Live in Love

THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD

WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS                                                                              

Bob Petrokas

Bountiful God, in gratitude and thanks for your many blessings, receive the gifts we bring this day, that they may be for the world signs of your steadfast love and the fullness of your grace. Amen.

      OFFERTORY                                                                                                                              

 Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Vivace” ~ Joseph Haydn

      *DOXOLOGY                                                                                                                            

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH 95

*HYMN                                                               

Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer

“Take My Life” ~ UMH #399

THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS FOR MINISTRY

*BENEDICTION                                                                                                                              

Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall

POSTLUDE                                                                                                                                       

Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Fugue in C Major” ~ Dietrich Buxtehude

* Stand as you are able

Sunday, August 1, 2021

OPEN HOUSE WORSHIP

Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:32-35

INSTRUMENTAL OPENING

Get Coffee and Be Seated

OPENING MUSIC

Praise Band

“Beautiful Love”

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                   Pastor Jeffrey

OPENING PRAYER                                                                         

WORSHIP IN SONGS

Praise Band

“Oceans”

“Here I Am to Worship”

CHILDREN’S TIME                                                                                                                  

JOYS AND CONCERNS

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                  

Ephesians 4:1-16

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ (When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

SERMON

Pastor Jeffrey                                                 

Bearing with One Another in Love

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

“Mighty to Save”

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS

Praise Band

“The Bread Has Been Broken”

WORSHIP IN SONG

Praise Band

“You Are My King”

BENEDICTION

CLOSING MUSIC

Praise Band

“You Are My King”

“As we travel with gratitude and share that feeling – like a ripple it spreads across the world.”
~ Larry Dvoskin

“Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
~ G.K. Chesterton

“Gratitude goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift.”
~ Henri Nouwen

“Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.”
~ John Ortberg

Prelude

Kevin McCullough, Contemporary Music Director, piano

Call to Worship

When we think of God’s presence in the world, we are grateful:
Grateful for the presence of hope; grateful for the gift of life.
And when we think of God’s presence in our lives, we are humbled:
Humbled by the gift of grace; humbled by the invitation to begin again.
And when we think of God’s presence in this community, we are glad:
Glad to be surrounded by holy people worshipping our Holy God.
Thank you all; thank you, God.

Songs

Praise Band

Time for Kids 

Pastor Kate

Scripture Lesson

Matthew 26:26-30

Message

Pastor Kate Conolly

“Grateful Together”

Offering Prayer

Gracious God, you call us to respond to your love with love. Accept these gifts we bring, and accept us that, together, we might be able to show your love and transform the lives of your people, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Offertory
Praise Band

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Song
Praise Band

Sending Forth

Go now in peace,
for Christ has called you to live in peace
among your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Go now in courage,
for Christ has called you from the places of your life
to be agents of redemption and partners in healing.
Go now in joy and thanksgiving,
for Christ is our light!
Go now as one body,
to love and serve God as you love and serve the world!
–  written by Elizabeth Dilley

Postlude
Praise Band

Worship

May 2, 2021

“’Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.”

~ Alice Walker

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life…It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~ Melodie Beattie

“Like other forms of practice, gratefulness makes us more resilient and flexible, and also offers a way to frame and learn from everything that unfolds in our lives.”

~ Kristi Nelson

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,

and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick,

and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so let us be thankful.

~ The Buddha

Prelude

Joyce Rhodes, organ

                              “Chorales”                                                 
“Prelude and Fugue in C Major”                   

                                         ~ J. S. Bach

Call to Worship

O come let us worship and lift our hearts . . . 

Not because the world is good and last week was awesome, 

but because the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, 

the God of the whole Earth.

O come let us worship and raise our hands . . .

Not because our lives are all sweetness and light,

But because even those who walk in darkness 

can see a great light, 

O come let us worship and bow down . . .

Not because God gives us what we want,

But because God gives us what we need – 

Christ Jesus, God’s precious Gift.

– Written by Leonard Sweet

Hymn

Sue Livingstone & John Palmer

                               “Take Time to Be Holy” ~ UMH #395 vs. 1, 2

Time for Kids

Scripture Lesson

Psalm 95:1-7

Message

Pastor Kate Conolly

“Habits of Gratitude”

Offering Prayer

We are called to live in hope and to share this hope with the world. Let us offer thanks to God for all God has given us by sharing generously of ourselves and of our resources. Through our gifts, may others experience the hope to be found in our life-giving God. Amen.

Offertory
Mimi Carlson, flute

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Celebration of Communion

Let us pray:  God our Creator,
thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ,
whose love pursues us our whole life long.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life to us in word and deed,
even unto death, even death on a cross.
Come Holy Spirit, feed us with your love
that we may be filled with power
to love God with all our hearts and souls and minds.  Amen.

Partaking of the communion elements

Prayer of Response 

We have come to the Lord’s table,
we have eaten the bread of heaven.
God is the one who will transform us
so that we can see with Jesus’ eyes,
hear with Jesus’ ears, speak with Jesus’ mouth;
so that we can be the body of Christ in the world,
proclaiming the good news of God’s reign.
Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

– Written by Carol Penner

Hymn
Sue Livingstone & John Palmer
                             “Sweet Hour of Prayer” ~ UMH #496 vs. 1, 3

Sending Forth

May God shine the light of love into your hearts.
May Christ be with you and never leave you.
And may the Spirit renew the image of God within you.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Amen.

Postlude

Joyce Rhodes, organ
                                “Prelude in Classic Style” ~ Gordon Young
                                         “Postludium II” ~ Ron Boud
                                  “Toccata on “Boylston” ~ Gordon Young

April 18, 2021

“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” 
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“If you judge people you have no time to love them.”
~ Mother Teresa

 “Often I have asked myself, what would it be like if I no longer had any desire to judge another? Or be controlled by the judgment of others? I would walk the earth as a very light person indeed.”
~ Henri Nouwen

“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.”
~ Wayne Dyer

Prelude

Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Ring, Easter Bells” ~ Wallace A. Johnson 
“Spring” ~ Fernand deLa Tombelle 
“Toccata on Amazing Grace” ~ arr. J. Christopher Pardini 

Call to Worship

God of grace, we have come for a glimpse
of your kingdom of kindness–
a world where love rules over all,
a world where enemies embrace,

a world where we do not judge one another.
Distinctions between friend and foe
evaporating in the light of your love.
We dedicate this hour of worship to you.  Amen.

Hymn

John Palmer & Sue Livingstone

“Help Us Accept Each Other” ~ UMH #560 vs. 1, 2

Time for Kids

Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director

Scripture Lesson

Matthew 7:1-20, 24-29

Sermon

Bill Cartmill

“How Do We Not Judge?”

Offering Prayer

Lord, let our congregation be a witness to you:

             constant in prayer,

             joyful in worship,

             generous in giving.

             A loving, supportive community

             reaching out to those in need.

             Accept these gifts we offer, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Offertory

Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Theme from Kamennoi Ostrow” ~ Anton Rubinstein 

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn

John Palmer & Sue Livingstone

“You are the Seed” ~ UMH #583 vs. 1

Sending Forth

Go into your week
knowing you are
loved perfectly
and empowered
as a disciple of Jesus
to share God’s love
with everyone you meet.

Postlude

Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Festivity” ~ A. Louis Scarmolin”
“Resurrection Toccata” ~ Colin Curtis 

Easter Sunday

April 4, 2021

“Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.”
~ N.T. Wright

“What if we lived like Jesus really did rise from the dead?”
~ Sarah Holman

“For me the most radical demand of Christian faith lies in summoning the courage to say yes to the present risenness of Jesus Christ.”
~ Brennan Manning,

“Hearts rebuilt from hope resurrect dreams killed by hate.”
~ Aberjhani

Prelude

“The Strife is O’er” – tune – “Victory”
~ arr. Wilbur Held
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” – tune – “Llanfair”
~ arr. Rex Koury
“Toccata on Christ the Lord is Risen Today” – tune – “Lyra Davidica”
~ arr. Diane Bish

Call to Worship

Think of a moment when someone 

that you least expected to see 

suddenly stands before you. 

A moment when something you’d lost 

is found again and you 

can scarcely believe your eyes. 

Think of a moment when your fear 

was suddenly proved unfounded 

and you were surprised by joy. 

This morning is such a moment. 

We resign ourselves to the worst, 

and suddenly life turns around. 

So come this Easter morning, 

to be shaken from your conviction 

that nothing can change your situation. 

Come if you look at the world 

and feel overwhelmed by its chaos, 

or disillusioned by its promises. 

On this morning we remember 

how Mary went to anoint a corpse, 

and was greeted by a Savior. 

Come to worship prepared 

to see your life and the world 

through new eyes. 

For Christ is risen, 

He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

– written by Ann Siddall

Hymn

Gareth Williams & John Palmer                     “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” ~ UMH #302 vs. 1-4

Time for Kids

Scripture

John 20:1-18

Message

Pastor Kate Conolly

                                           “I’ve Seen the Lord!”

Offering Prayer

For the gift of life eternal that we celebrate this day,

we give thanks.

For the way in which these offerings will become life for others,

we give thanks.

For the gift of this community bound and working together,

we give thanks.

Offertory
Virtual Choir video

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn

Sue Livingstone & John Palmer
                         “Up from the Grave He Arose” ~ UMH #322

Sending Forth

As you go out into God’s world this week, be Easter people! Be those who say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here. He is risen.” Be ready to be surprised with what God will do next. Look for the risen Christ in those you meet. Let the Holy Spirit nudge and guide you. The tomb is empty because Jesus is out in the world, and now we must go out into the world too! May the joy and wonder of that first Easter morning live in your hearts today and every day. Amen.

– written by Susannah DeBenedetto

Postlude
YouTube video of the Halleluiah Chorus