News & Events

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering in God’s Presence
Music before the Service Joyce Rhodes
“Ein’ Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott”
~ arr. by Johann Pachelbel, Johann Kittel, Johann Hanff, Wilhelm Rudnick
Choral Introit Chancel Choir, Joyce Rhodes
“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Prayer Pastor Daniel

• Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee UMH 89

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Greetings & Community Announcements Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel
at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom
and to pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading Job 42:1-6; 10-17
42 Job answered the LORD:
2 I know you can do anything;
no plan of yours can be opposed successfully.
3 You said, “Who is this darkening counsel without knowledge?”
I have indeed spoken about things I didn’t understand,
wonders beyond my comprehension.
4 You said, “Listen and I will speak;
I will question you and you will inform me.”
5 My ears had heard about you,
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore, I relent and find comfort
on dust and ashes.
10 Then the LORD changed Job’s fortune when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD doubled all Job’s earlier possessions. 11 All his brothers, sisters, and acquaintances came to him and ate food with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him concerning all the disaster the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a qesitah and a gold ring. 12 Then the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his former ones. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named one Jemimah, a second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 No women in all the land were as beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave an inheritance to them along with their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years and saw four generations of his children. 17 Then Job died, old and satisfied.

Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Choral Anthem Chancel Choir, Joyce Rhodes
“A Mighty Fortress” ~ Christy and Nathan Nockels
Second Scripture Reading Mark 10:16-52
46 Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. 47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” 48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.”
They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”
52 Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Job’s Humility Pastor Daniel

• Hymn: O For a Thousand Tongue to Sing UMH 57

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Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give Pastor Daniel
Stewardship Minute Ann and Reese Reynolds
Offertory Music Chancel Choir, Joyce Rhodes
“Sine Nomine” ~ Rex Koury

• Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
• Sharing the Peace of Christ Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

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Prayers of the People Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.
The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895

Sending into the Mission Field

• Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God UMH 110
• Dismissal with Blessing Pastor Daniel
• Choral Benediction Chancel Choir, Joyce Rhodes
  “Mighty to Save” ~ Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

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Music to Inspire the Journey Joyce Rhodes
“Festive Postlude” ~ Joseph Roff

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering in God’s Presence
Opening Music The Worship Team
“Let It Rise” ~ Holland Davis
“God of Wonders” ~ Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong
Prayer Pastor Daniel
Greetings & Community Announcements Pastor Daniel
Stewardship Moment Jonnye Cartmill
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading Job 38:1-7, 34-41
38 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 Who is this darkening counsel
with words lacking knowledge?
3 Prepare yourself like a man;
I will interrogate you, and you will respond to me.
4 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?
Tell me if you know.
5 Who set its measurements? Surely you know.
Who stretched a measuring tape on it?
6 On what were its footings sunk;
who laid its cornerstone,
7 while the morning stars sang in unison
and all the divine beings shouted?
34 Can you issue an order to the clouds
so their abundant waters cover you?
35 Can you send lightning so that it goes
and then says to you, “I’m here”?
36 Who put wisdom in remote places,
or who gave understanding to a rooster?
37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds,
and who can tilt heaven’s water containers
38 so that dust becomes mud
and clods of dirt adhere?
39 Can you hunt prey for the lion
or fill the cravings of lion cubs?
40 They lie in their den,
lie in ambush in their lair.
41 Who provides food for the raven
when its young cry to God,
move about without food?
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Worship in Song The Worship Team
“Indescribable” ~ Laura Story and Jesse Reeves
Second Scripture Reading Mark 10:35-45
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”
38 Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, 40 but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Pastor Daniel

Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give Pastor Daniel
Leader: God’s blessings in our lives are many and various. In fact, we would have difficulty recognizing all of God’s gifts in our lives each day: the flower which brings a smile, the laughter of a child, or the song of a bird. All those, and much more, are gifts from God. Let us pause in gratitude for God’s blessings. As we prepare to give and receive to the honor and glory of God, please complete your “Connections” cards, if you have not yet done so. Let us Pray:
ALL: Help us to remember the poor and lonely this day, O God, as we celebrate our togetherness. Let us not forget those who are left out, left behind, or left beside; help us to see our brothers and sisters on the margins of society. In our unifying joy at your Table, help us to extend your Table and welcome those that others would push out, push down, or push aside. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Offertory Music The Worship Team
“The Blessing” ~ Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Steven Furtick
*We are an Offering The Worship Team
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. We are an offering.

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Prayers of the People ………………………………………………………………………… Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.

• Sharing the Peace of Christ Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

Sending into the Mission Field

• Postlude & Closing Music The Worship Team
  “Rock Of Ages” ~ Rita Baloche
• Dismissal with Blessing Pastor Daniel

Other Texts Assigned, but not used for today: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Hebrews 5:1-10

Next Week’s Assigned Readings:
Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Mark 10:46-52; Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22; Hebrews 7:23-28
Read and pray with these texts in the coming week as part of your preparation for worship next Sunday.

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering in God’s Presence
Music before the Service Joyce Rhodes
“Autumn” ~ Cecile Chaminade
Variations on “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” –
Tune – “Nettleton” ~ arr. Frank S. Lynn, Dale Wood
Choral Introit Chancel Choir
“Out of the Depths I Cry to You” ~ UMH 515
Prayer Pastor Daniel

• Hymn: Lord, Speak to Me UMH 463

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Greetings & Community Announcements Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel
at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom
and to pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading Job 23:1-9, 16-17
23 Job answered:
2 Today my complaint is again bitter;
my strength is weighed down because of my groaning.
3 Oh, that I could know how to find him—
come to his dwelling place;
4 I would lay out my case before him,
fill my mouth with arguments,
5 know the words with which he would answer,
understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me through brute force?
No, he would surely listen to me.
7 There those who do the right thing can argue with him;
I could escape from my judge forever.
8 Look, I go east; he’s not there,
west, and don’t discover him;
9 north in his activity, and I don’t grasp him;
he turns south, and I don’t see.
16 God has weakened my mind;
the Almighty has frightened me.
17 Still I’m not annihilated by darkness;
he has hidden deep darkness from me.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Choral Anthem Chancel Choir
“This Is My Word” ~ Pepper Choplin
Second Scripture Reading Mark 10:17-31
17 As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
18 Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. 19 You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”
20 “Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” 22 But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
23 Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” 24 His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! 25 It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
26 They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”
28 Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.”
29 Jesus said, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news 30 will receive one hundred times as much now in this life—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment)—and in the coming age, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Becoming Camels Pastor Daniel

• Hymn: Take Up Thy Cross UMH 415

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Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give Pastor Daniel
Leader: God’s blessings in our lives are many and various. In fact, we would have difficulty recognizing all of God’s gifts in our lives each day: the flower which brings a smile, the laughter of a child, or the song of a bird. All those, and much more, are gifts from God. Let us pause in gratitude for God’s blessings. As we prepare to give and receive to the honor and glory of God, please complete your “Connections” cards, if you have not yet done so. Let us pray:
ALL: Help us to remember the poor and lonely this day, O God, as we celebrate our togetherness. Let us not forget those who are left out, left behind, or left beside; help us to see our brothers and sisters on the margins of society. In our unifying joy at your Table, help us to extend your Table and welcome those that others would push out, push down, or push aside. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Offertory Music Chancel Choir
“Breathe” ~ Marie Barnett

• Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
• Offertory Prayer Pastor Daniel
• Sharing the Peace of Christ Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

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Prayers of the People Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.
The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895

Sending into the Mission Field

• Hymn: Take My Life and Let It Be UMH 399
• Dismissal with Blessing Pastor Daniel
• Choral Benediction Chancel Choir
  “Give Thanks” ~ TFWS 2036

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Music to Inspire the Journey …………………………………………………..……………… Joyce Rhodes
Variations on “In Christ There Is No East or West” – tune – “McKee” ~ arr. Valerie Sterk

Calendar for the Coming Week, Week of 13 October 2024
Monday 10/14 Office Closed
11:30 am Live Oak Sr. Nutrition, Social Hall
1:30 pm Grace Preschool Staff Meeting, Room 10
4 pm SPRC, TBD
7:30 pm Men’s Spirituality Group, Library

Tuesday 10/15 Office Hours: 11 am to 2 pm
10:45 am Senior Chair Yoga, Social Hall
11:30 am Live Oak Sr. Nutrition, Social Hall

Wednesday 10/16 Office Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
11:30 am Live Oak Sr. Nutrition, Social Hall
12 pm Noonday Prayer Service, Grace Chapel
1 pm Kindred Spirits, Art Gallery
7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday 10/17 Office Hours: 11 am to 2 pm
10:45 am Senior Tai Chi, Social Hall
11:30 am Live Oak Sr. Nutrition, Social Hall
1 pm Faith, Reason and Community Group, Fireside Room and Chapel
2 pm Shower Ministry, Gymnasium

Friday 10/18 Office Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
11:30 am Live Oak Sr. Nutrition, Social Hall
1 pm Staff Meeting, Fireside

Sunday 10/19 Office Closed
10 am Worship & Sunday School
6 pm Youth Group, Hope Café

Other Texts Assigned, but not used for today: Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16.
Next Weeks Assigned Readings:
Job 38:1-7; Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45.
Read and pray with these texts in the coming week as part of your preparation for worship next Sunday.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering in God’s Presence
Opening Music The Worship Team
“Blessed Be Your Name” ~ Beth Redman and Matt Redman
“My Redeemer Lives” ~ Reuben Morgan
Prayer Pastor Daniel
Greetings & Community Announcements Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Worship in Song The Worship Team
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
~ Edwin Othello Excell, John P. Rees, Louie Giglio, John Newton, and Chris Tomlin
Second Scripture Reading Mark 10:2-16
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: The Courage of Humility Pastor Daniel

Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give Pastor Daniel
Leader: God’s blessings in our lives are many and various. In fact, we would have difficulty recognizing all of God’s gifts in our lives each day: the flower which brings a smile, the laughter of a child, or the song of a bird. All those, and much more, are gifts from God. Let us pause in gratitude for God’s blessings. As we prepare to give and receive to the honor and glory of God, please complete your “Connections” cards, if you have not yet done so. Let us Pray:

ALL: Help us to remember the poor and lonely this day, O God, as we celebrate our togetherness. Let us not forget those who are left out, left behind, or left beside; help us to see our brothers and sisters on the margins of society. In our unifying joy at your Table, help us to extend your Table and welcome those that others would push out, push down, or push aside. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Offertory Music The Worship Team
“How Can I Keep From Singing- Gospel”
*We are an Offering The Worship Team
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. We are an offering.

• Sharing the Peace of Christ Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

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Gathering at God’s Table
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving Pastor Daniel
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
PEOPLE: We lift them up the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to thanks to the Lord, our God.
PEOPLE: It is right so to do.
The pastor continues the prayer recalling God’s mighty acts of salvation culminating in Jesus, his ministry, institution of the Lord’s Supper, and recalling his passion, death and resurrection. The pastor concludes the prayer inviting the present working of the Holy Spirit among us giving praise to God and inviting us to pray the Lord’s Prayer together. Joys and concerns shared through the “Connections” cards are lifted to God during this prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895
Sharing the Bread and the Cup Pastor Daniel
We receive by intinction — dipping the bread into the cup. There are pre-packaged options available to your right behind the person serving the cup if you would prefer that option. As a note, pastor and the cup server do sanitize their hands before handling the elements at this point in the service. You may not notice them using the hand sanitizer but be assured they are using it before handling the bread and cup.
If movement is difficult for you, the elements will be brought to you in your place. If parents have not yet made the choice for their children to receive, pastor will pray a blessing for each child. Pastor will bless each animal companion brought forward if you have one with you.
Communion Music The Worship Team
“Above All” ~ Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc
Prayer after Receiving Pastor Daniel
Pastor: Let us pray.
ALL: Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Sending into the Mission Field

• Postlude & Closing Music The Worship Team
  “That’s Why We Praise Him” ~ Tommy Walker
• Dismissal with Blessing Pastor Daniel

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering in God’s Presence
Music before the Service ……………………………………………..……………………….. Joyce Rhodes
“Holy Spirit, Be My Guide” ~ arr. Eleanor Whitsett
“Morning Chimes Prelude” ~ Sharon Elery Rogers
“Variations on “My Life Flows On” ~ arr. Anita Graves
Choral Introit ……………………………………………….………………………………………. Chancel Choir
“Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” ~ UMH 93
Prayer ………………………………………………….…….………………………………………… Pastor Daniel
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: Holy and Gracious God, Maker and Redeemer of all: We gather today to hear your Word, to offer you our thanks and praise, and to seek your guidance in our lives. Inspire us to follow the example of Esther whose faith, active in loving service, saved her people. Inspire us toward justice and loving service; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Hymn: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns………………………………………………………… UMH 126

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Greetings & Community Announcements …………….………………………………….. Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel
at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom
and to pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading ……………………………………………………… Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
7 When the king and Haman came in for the banquet with Queen Esther, 2 the king said to her, “This is the second day we’ve met for wine. What is your wish, Queen Esther? I’ll give it to you. And what do you want? I’ll do anything—even give you half the kingdom.”
3 Queen Esther answered, “If I please the king, and if the king wishes, give me my life—that’s my wish—and the lives of my people too. That’s my desire. 4 We have been sold—I and my people—to be wiped out, killed, and destroyed. If we simply had been sold as male and female slaves, I would have said nothing. But no enemy can compensate the king for this kind of damage.”
5 King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is this person, and where is he? Who would dare do such a thing?”
6 Esther replied, “A man who hates, an enemy—this wicked Haman!” Haman was overcome with terror in the presence of the king and queen.
9 Harbona, one of the eunuchs serving the king, said, “Sir, look! There’s the stake that Haman made for Mordecai, the man who spoke up and did something good for the king. It’s standing at Haman’s house—seventy-five feet high.”
“Impale him on it!” the king ordered. 10 So they impaled Haman on the very pole that he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger went away.
920 Mordecai wrote these things down and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces, both near and far, of King Ahasuerus. 21 He made it a rule that Jews keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as special days each and every year. 22 They are the days on which the Jews finally put to rest the troubles with their enemies. The month is the one when everything turned around for them from sadness to joy, and from sad, loud crying to a holiday. They are to make them days of feasts and joyous events, days to send food gifts to each other and money gifts to the poor.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Choral Anthem …………………………………………………………………………….………. Chancel Choir
“Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah” ~ Paul Sjolund
Second Scripture Reading ……………………….…………………………………………….. Mark 9:38-50
38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”
39 Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me. 40 Whoever isn’t against us is for us. 41 I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded.
42 “As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and to be thrown into the lake. 43 If your hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter into life crippled than to go away with two hands into the fire of hell, which can’t be put out. 45 If your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. 48 That’s a place where worms don’t die and the fire never goes out. 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Beyond Health to Wholeness……….………………………..………….….……. Pastor Daniel

• Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing……….………………………………………………………… UMH 519

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Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give ………………………………………………………………..……..………… Pastor Daniel
Offertory Music ………………………………………………………………..………………….. Joyce Rhodes
Jenna Baker, Mezzo Soprano; Zoe Rowan, Trombone; Jerico Lozares, Clarinet
“Tell Me Why + The Battle ls Not Ours”,
Veggie Tales: Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen
~ Paul Vischer and Kurt Heinecke

• Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow …………………….…………….. UMH 95
• Offertory Prayer …………………………………………………………………………………. Pastor Daniel
• Sharing the Peace of Christ …………………………………………………….…………… Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness
  as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

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Prayers of the People ………………………………………………………………..…………… Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.
The Lord’s Prayer ………………………………………….……………………………………….…… UMH 895

Sending into the Mission Field

• Hymn: Go Forth for God ……………….………..………………………………………………… UMH 670
• Dismissal with Blessing ……………………………………………………….………………. Pastor Daniel
• Choral Benediction …………………….………………………………………………………. Chancel Choir
  “Lord Make Us Instruments of Your Peace”

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Music to Inspire the Journey …………………………………………………..……………… Joyce Rhodes
“Praise Him! Praise Him!” ~ arr. Emma Lou Diemer

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

( * ) Please stand as you are able.
( **** ) Please be seated if you are standing.
(UMH) Indicates “The United Methodist Hymnal,” the hardcover songbook.
(TFWS) Indicates “The Faith We Sing,” the black softcover songbook.

Gathering in God’s Presence
Opening Music…………………………………………………………………………..…. The Worship Team
“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly” ~ Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, and Pat Barrett
“Open The Eyes Of My Heart” ~ Paul Baloche
Greetings & Community Announcements …………….………………………………….. Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel
at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to
pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God
First Scripture Reading ……………………………………………………………… James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
13 Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom. 14 However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. 16 Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil. 17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. 18 Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.
4 What is the source of conflict among you? What is the source of your disputes? Don’t they come from your cravings that are at war in your own lives? 2 You long for something you don’t have, so you commit murder. You are jealous for something you can’t get, so you struggle and fight. You don’t have because you don’t ask. 3 You ask and don’t have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.
7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

Worship in Song ………………………………………..………………………………….
The Worship Team
“You Alone Can Rescue” ~ Matt Redman
Second Scripture Reading ……………………….…………………………………………….. Mark 9:30-37
30 From there Jesus and his followers went through Galilee, but he didn’t want anyone to know it. 31 This was because he was teaching his disciples, “The Human One will be delivered into human hands. They will kill him. Three days after he is killed he will rise up.” 32 But they didn’t understand this kind of talk, and they were afraid to ask him.
33 They entered Capernaum. When they had come into a house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about during the journey?” 34 They didn’t respond, since on the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” 36 Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then he said, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Greatness v Lastness ………………….………………………..…………….……. Pastor Daniel

Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give ……………………………………………………………………………..…………… Liturgist
Leader: Scripture reminds us that every good gift we possess or experience comes to us as a gift from God. As we prepare to give and receive to the honor and glory of God, please complete your “Connections” cards, if you have not yet done so. Let us pray:
ALL: Our most precious and prized gifts come to us as gifts from you, O God: our families, our friends, and our place among those who are called out and gathered together, the church. Help us to cherish each other and to act with compassion. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
Offertory Music ………………………………………………………………………… The Worship Team
“Give Thanks “~ Henry Smith
*We are an Offering ..……………………………………….…………………….. The Worship Team
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we
lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. We are an offering.

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Prayers of the People ………………………………………………………………………… Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.

• Sharing the Peace of Christ ………………………………………………………… Pastor Daniel
  Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
  ALL: And also with you.
  Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
  Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.

Sending into the Mission Field

• Postlude & Closing Music ……………………………………………………….. The Worship Team
  Dismissal with Blessing ………………………………………………………………………. Pastor Daniel

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

( * ) Please stand as you are able.
( **** ) Please be seated if you are standing.
(UMH) Indicates “The United Methodist Hymnal,” the hardcover songbook.
(TFWS) Indicates “The Faith We Sing,” the black softcover songbook.

Gathering in God’s Presence
Music before the Service ……………………………………………………………………. Joyce Rhodes
“Brethren We Have Met to Worship” ~ Unknown Composer
“Suite for Organ” ~ Robert A. Roesch
Choral Introit ………………………………………………………………………………..…. Chancel Choir
“Open Our Eyes” ~ Will C. Macfarlane
Prayer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Liturgist
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: Loving God, you have stood beside us, always. Even when we haven’t or don’t live up to your expectations of us or our expectations of ourselves, you remain beside us. When we stumble, you draw closer to us. Strengthen us to draw closer to you, to know your persistent presence and guidance, and most of all to know and share your joyous love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Hymn: Lift High the Cross ……………………………………………………………………… UMH 159

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Greetings & Community Announcements …………………………………………….. Pastor Daniel
Time with Young Christians
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel
at the front for a time of learning. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to
pick-up children following the service. Please sign your child in and out. Thank you.

Listening for the Word of God

First Scripture Reading ………………………………………………………………… Proverbs 1:20-33

Choral Anthem …………………………………………………………………………………. Chancel Choir
“You Are the Christ, the Son of God!” ~ Lloyd Larson

Second Scripture Reading ………………………………………………………………….. Mark 8:27-38
Sermon: Wisdom of Enacted Faith ………………………………………………………. Pastor Daniel
Responding to the Word
Invitation to Give ……………………………………………………………………………………… Liturgist
Leader: As we pause to give and to receive to the honor and glory of God, let us consider again how God is calling us to live, and to seek God’s guidance and blessing in our lives and the lives of those for whom we are concerned. We are invited to humble, loving service in the name of Jesus. Let us pray:

ALL: Good and Gracious God, accept the offerings we your people make to you this day, and grant that the cause to which they are devoted may prosper under your guidance, to the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offertory Music ………………………………………………………………………………… Joyce Rhodes

• Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow ……………………………….. UMH 95

Gathering at the Font

Sacrament of Holy Baptism ………………………………………………………………………… UMH 33
If following along from The Hymnal, we will be using the following paragraphs with the small
red numerals of: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 16.

The congregation has responses to make for items 8, 9 and 16.

The pastor will offer a prayer of thanksgiving over the water without all the responses indicated
in paragraph 10.

Prayers of the People ………………………………………………………………………… Pastor Daniel
Pastor will offer a pastoral prayer inclusive of the requests received. He will not be asking
for the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer” to individual petitions.

The Lord’s Prayer ……………………………………………………………………………..…….. UMH 895
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Sending into the Mission Field

• Hymn: Lord of the Dance ……………………………………………………………………… UMH 261

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Choral Benediction ……………………………………………………………………………. Chancel Choir
“The Summons” TFWS 2130

Dismissal with Blessing ………………………………………………………………………. Pastor Daniel

Music to Inspire the Journey ……………………………………………………………… Joyce Rhodes