News & Events
Worship
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Adoro te devote” ~ Everett Titcomb
“Aria” ~ Paul Manz
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INTROIT
Chancel Choir“The 23rd Psalm”
~ setting Bobby McFerrin
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Christina Capps
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: Come with faith.
P: Let us be God’s community.
L: Come with doubt.
P: The steadfast love of God never ceases.
L: Come with questions.
P: The bread and cup offer grace and mercy.
L: Come as you are.
P: We are one Body, one Church, one World. *OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Christina Capps
Ever Present God, today your people gather around a table which stretches around the whole Earth. Open our eyes, our minds, and our lives that we might welcome one another, even as you continue to welcome us through the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. Fill us as we worship. Then send us out to be the Body of Christ alive with the Good News of the Gospel. Amen.
*HYMN
“For the Beauty of the Earth” ~ UMH #92
(Note: With Holy Communion Refrain)
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Christina Capps
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
Christina Capps
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.
For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” ~ UMH #479
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Chancel Choir
Music by Jim Strathdee
Cantors: Sue Livingstone and Bob Rhodes
Responsively sung by cantors and congregation
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Christina Capps
God of Love, send your Holy Spirit upon us. Bless these gifts, touched by your Spirit, that they may be signs of life and love to a world in need. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Bread of Heaven, on Thee We Feed”
~ arr. Eugene Englert
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
“The 23rd Psalm”
~ setting Bobby McFerrin
SCRIPTURE READING
Christina Capps
Luke 22:7-22
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!”
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen. SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
A Place at The Table
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (MUSICAL SETTING E) ~ UMH, page 24
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
ANTHEM“Think of Me and Remember”
~ words and music by Joel Raney
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
“The 23rd Psalm”
~ setting Bobby McFerrin
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“God of Grace”
- tune – “Cum Rhondda”
~ setting Paul Manz - Stand as you are able
Worship
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
OPEN HOUSE WORSHIP
INSTRUMENTAL OPENING
Get Coffee and Be Seated
OPENING MUSIC
Musicians:
Tom Waldrop, acoustic guitar
Mark Eastland, pan drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
Toni Kent, vocals
“Deep, Way Down Deep””
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey D. Hall
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
WORSHIP IN SONG
Musicians:
Tom Waldrop, acoustic guitar
Mark Eastland, pan drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
Toni Kent, vocals
“If You Say Go”
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 145
Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.
WORSHIP IN SONG
Musicians:
Tom Waldrop, acoustic guitar
Mark Eastland, pan drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
Toni Kent, vocals
“I Will Rise”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Musicians:
Mark Eastland, hand drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
“Grace Like Rain”
SCRIPTURE READING
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
“When God Changed His Mind”
WORSHIP IN SONG
Musicians:
Tom Waldrop, acoustic guitar
Mark Eastland, pan drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
Toni Kent, vocals
“All Things are Possible”
BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
CLOSING MUSIC
Musicians:
Tom Waldrop, acoustic guitar
Mark Eastland, pan drums
Ren Geisick, vocals & guitar
Toni Kent, vocals
“All Things are Possible” (Reprise)
Worship
September 18, 2022
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Patricia Milstead, organ
“Adagio Cantabile” (Violin Sonata #3)
~ J. S. Bach, arr. Bish
“Shall We Gather at the River?”
~ Joe Utterbach
“The Penitent Heart”
~Colin Curtis
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INTROIT
Chancel Choir
“Sing, Praise and Bless the Lord” – “Laudate Dominum”
words: the Community of Taize
music: Jacques Berthier
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Ursula Young
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: Lift up your eyes to see.
P: Have you not seen? God meets us here.
L: Open your ears to hear.
P: Have you not heard? God meets us here.
L: Open your hearts and welcome the Everlasting One.
P: Have you not seen? Have you not heard? God meets us here.
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Ursula Young
Eternal God, Creator of the universe, it is with joy that we have gathered here this morning because we have seen and heard of your wondrous works and grace. We call on you to open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear, and open our hearts to receive your love. We give you thanks for making it possible to gather and to ponder your eternal mysteries. Make us, creatures of this time and space, ready collaborators with your endless grace. Amen.
*HYMN
“How Great Thou Art” ~ UMH #77
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Ursula Young
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
Ursula Young
1 Timothy 2:1-7
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all—this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN
“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” ~ UMH #521
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Chancel Choir
Music by Jim Strathdee
Cantors: Linda Juhl and Tom Waldrop
Responsively sung by cantors and congregation
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Ursula Young
As forgiven and reconciled people, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God. Let us worship with our tithes and offerings as an expression of our gratitude, heartfelt commitment and praise.
OFFERTORY
Ruby Shew, piano
“Glorify Thy Name”
~ Donna Adkins, arr. Fred Brock
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
“All Are Welcome”
~ Marty Haugen
SCRIPTURE READING
Ursula Young
Isaiah 40:21-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
To Walk and Not Faint
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
*HYMN
“God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” ~ UMH #150
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
“God Be in My Heart”
~ John Rutter
POSTLUDE
Patricia Milstead, organ
“Go Forth in Faith”
~ Franklin Ritter
* Stand as you are able
September “Spire”
Worship
Sunday, September 4, 2022
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Christus der ist mein Leben” – “Jesus, who is my life”
~ Johann Pachelbel
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INTROIT
Chancel Choir
“Sing, Praise and Bless the Lord” – “Laudate Dominum”
words: the Community of Taize
music: Jacques Berthier
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Ken Kasper
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: The Word of Life is planted within our hearts.
P: May our hearts welcome the Word.
L: The Love of God rains down upon us.
P: May our souls soak in the wonder of God’s love.
L: The Breath of God blows among and within us.
P: May our lives be stirred by the power of the Spirit.
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Ken Kasper
Holy Source of Faith and Learning, Wisdom of the Ages, we gather once again as your Church. As the prophet Jeremiah reminds us, you have made a new covenant with us. You have written your law and love on our hearts. You have claimed us as your own, and we are your people. As we worship you today, fill us with your story, fill us with your song, fill us with your sacred presence. Amen.
*HYMN
“And Are We Yet Alive” ~ UMH #553
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Ken Kasper
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
Ken Kasper
Jeremiah 31:27-34
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say:
‘The parents have eaten sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN
“Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” ~ UMH #133
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Chancel Choir
Music by Jim Strathdee
Cantors: Sue Livingstone and Mike Crow
Responsively sung by cantors and congregation
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Ken Kasper
The law and love of God are being written on our hearts, opening us to the needs of others. Let us share what we have received with grateful hearts. Bless these gifts, O God, that others may be touched by the grace and tender mercy we have found in you. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“More Love to Thee”
tune, W. H. Doane; arr. Van Denman Thompson
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
“The Road Home” – tune – “Prospect”
from Southern Harmony, 1835
adapted by Stephen Paulus
SCRIPTURE READING
Ken Kasper
Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
Written On Our Hearts
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INSTRUMENTAL
“For the Bread Which You Have Broken”
~ David Schelat
*HYMN
“As a Fire Is Meant for Burning” ~ TFWS #2237
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
“God Be in My Head”
~ John Rutter
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Rondo Benvenuto”
~ John S. Dixon
* Stand as you are able
Worship
Sunday, August 28
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
OPEN HOUSE WORSHIP
INSTRUMENTAL OPENING
Kevin McCullough
Get Coffee and Be Seated
OPENING MUSIC
Praise Band
“Everlasting God””
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey D. Hall
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
WORSHIP IN SONG
Praise Band
“They Will Know We Are Christians”
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
SCRIPTURE READING
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
WORSHIP IN SONG
Praise Band
“Draw the Circle Wide”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Praise Band
“I Shall Not Want”
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 14:1, 7-14
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
“Look Who’s Invited”
WORSHIP IN SONG
Praise Band
“I Will Rise”
BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
CLOSING MUSIC
Praise Band
“I Will Rise” (Reprise)
Worship
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Celia Palm, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” – tune – “St Denio”
~ arr. Theodore W. Ripper
“Song of the Bells” ~ Carl Simone
“Reverie”
~ Claude Debussy, arr. R. Spaulding Stoughton
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INTROIT
Chancel Choir“Surely the Lord is in This Place”
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Ray Owen
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: We may be weary from worry and work, so we come into God’s presence:
P: The Holy One offers us Sabbath rest.
L: We may be lost or confused, so we come into God’s presence:
P: The Wise One offers us welcome and guidance.
L: We may be bent over with struggle or pain, so we come into God’s presence:
P: The Healing One empowers us to stand strong.*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Ray Owen
God of love and unity, open our hearts and our lives so we may receive your Spirit. Help us to see beyond the differences that separate us. Help us to see beyond the limitations that keep us apart. Help us to see Jesus. We invoke your Spirit of Love through the living Christ so we may become a church of hope who welcomes all your children. Amen.
*HYMN
“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” ~ UMH #103
CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Ray Owen
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
Ray Owen
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.” Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN
“Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” ~ UMH #133
JOYS AND CONCERNS / THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
“Agnus Dei” with “How Great Thou Art”
“Agnus Dei” words and music by Michael W. Smith
“How Great Thou Art” words by Stuart K. Hine
~ arr. Joel Raney
SCRIPTURE READING
Ray Owen
Luke 13:10-17
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen. SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
You Are Set Free
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Ray Owen
The Church and its ministry will flourish tomorrow because of the hopeful, expectant generosity that lives in us today. Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude, heartfelt commitment, and praise.
OFFERTORY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Praise to The Lord, The Almighty, The King of Creation”
- tune – “Lobe Den Herren, Den Machtigen Konig Der Ehren”
~ Johann Gottfried Walther
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
*HYMN
“God of Love and God of Power” ~ UMH #578
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
“Go in Peace and Love”
POSTLUDE
Celia Palm, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Lord of the Dance”
19th Century Shaker Tune
~ adapted, Sydney Carter – setting, Joel Raney
- Stand as you are able