News & Events

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR GATHERING AND CENTERING
Allow the music being offered to help you find your center, to acknowledge God’s presence, and to allow yourself time and space to open your mind and heart to the Spirit of God moving among us this day.

OPENING MUSIC
Ren Geisick, Director
The Worship Team

“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly”
~Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, and Pat Barrett

WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team

“Open The Eyes Of My Heart”
~ Paul Baloche

INVITATION TO WORSHIP

OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss

Holy God, we come before you this day, and you know what it is we need before we ask, and what we want even before we do. Move in us and among us. Help us to hear you, to put ourselves aside, and to seek nothing but your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel

TIME FOR 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 together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.

LISTENING FOR THE WORD

SCRIPTURE READING
Penny Herman

James 2:1-17
My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?

My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?

You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker. Anyone who tries to keep all of the Law but fails at one point is guilty of failing to keep all of it. The one who said, Don’t commit adultery, also said, Don’t commit murder. So if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment.

My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.

Reader: This is 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

SCRIPTURE READING
Penny Herman

Mark 7:24-37
Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had entered a house, but he couldn’t hide. In fact, a woman whose young daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him right away. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was Greek, Syrophoenician by birth. She begged Jesus to throw the demon out of her daughter. He responded, “The children have to be fed first. It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

But she answered, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

“Good answer!” he said. “Go on home. The demon has already left your daughter.” When she returned to her house, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone.

After leaving the region of Tyre, Jesus went through Sidon toward the Galilee Sea through the region of the Ten Cities. Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged him to place his hand on the man for healing. Jesus took him away from the crowd by himself and put his fingers in the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Looking into heaven, Jesus sighed deeply and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Open up.” At once, his ears opened, his twisted tongue was released, and he began to speak clearly.

Jesus gave the people strict orders not to tell anyone. But the more he tried to silence them, the more eagerly they shared the news. People were overcome with wonder, saying, “He does everything well! He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who can’t speak.”

Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Daniel

No Wiggle Room

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: Scripture reminds us that every good gift we possess or experience comes o 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
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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at #895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”

SENDING FOR SERVICE

WORSHIP IN SONG/POSTLUDE & CLOSING MUSIC
The Worship Team

“Get Together”

BENEDICTION
Pastor Daniel

We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:

Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: 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.

*Please stand as you are able.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Suite Gothique” ~ Leon Boellmann
I. Introduction – choral
II. Menuet gothique”

PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: Holy God, we come before you this day, and you know what it is we need before we ask, and what we want even before we do. Move in us and among us. Help us to hear you, to put ourselves aside, and to seek nothing but your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*HYMN

“And Are We Yet Alive” ~ UMH 553

GREETING & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel F. Diss

TIME FOR 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 together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.

As the children exit to Sunday school, they will be sent with the instrumental: “Where Children Belong” TFWS 2233.

LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD

SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger

James 1:17-27
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. He chose to give us birth by his true word, and here is the result: we are like the first crop from the harvest of everything he created.

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you.

You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves. Those who hear but don’t do the word are like those who look at their faces in a mirror. They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately forget what they were like. But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do.

If those who claim devotion to God don’t control what they say, they mislead themselves. Their devotion is worthless. True devotion, the kind that is pure and faultless before God the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their difficulties and to keep the world from contaminating us.

Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SPECIAL MUSIC
Jenna Baker, Sue Livingstone, and John Palmer
Joyce Rhodes, piano

“Danny Boy”
~ arr. by David Cullen

SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
The Pharisees and some legal experts from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. They saw some of his disciples eating food with unclean hands. (They were eating without first ritually purifying their hands through washing. The Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat without first washing their hands carefully. This is a way of observing the rules handed down by the elders. Upon returning from the marketplace, they don’t eat without first immersing themselves. They observe many other rules that have been handed down, such as the washing of cups, jugs, pans, and sleeping mats.) So the Pharisees and legal experts asked Jesus, “Why are your disciples not living according to the rules handed down by the elders but instead eat food with ritually unclean hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you hypocrites. He wrote,

This people honors me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far away from me.
Their worship of me is empty
    since they teach instructions that are human words.

You ignore God’s commandment while holding on to rules created by humans and handed down to you.”

Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Daniel

The Gospel of Straw

*HYMN

“Where Charity and Love Prevail” ~ UMH 549

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
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
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Suite Gothique” ~ Leon Boellmann
III. “Priere a Notre-Dame”

*DOXOLOGY

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

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: 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.

At the end of the time of sharing, we’ll be called to prayer with the instrumental: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” TFWS 2193

GATHERING AT GOD’S TABLE

PRAYER OF GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: … as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer, UMH #895

SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
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
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Fairest Lord Jesus”
~ arr. H. Alexander Matthews, Dennis R. Johnson

PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
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.

*HYMN

“”Blest Be the Tie That Binds” ~ UMH 557

SENDING FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Pastor Daniel

We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

MUSIC TO INSPIRE THE JOURNEY
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Suite Gothique” ~ Leon Boellmann
IV. “Toccata”

• Please stand as you are able.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR GATHERING AND CENTERING
Allow the music being offered to help you find your center, to acknowledge God’s presence, and to allow yourself time and space to open your mind and heart to the Spirit of God moving among us this day.

OPENING MUSIC
Ren Geisick, Director
The Worship Team

“This Little Light Of Mine”
~ Harry Dixon Loes

WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team

“In The Secret”
~ Andy Park
INVITATION TO WORSHIP

OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel

TIME FOR 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 together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.

LISTENING FOR THE WORD

SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris

Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. As for me, pray that when I open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan of the gospel known. I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say.

Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team

“King Of Kings”
~ Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, and Scott Ligertwood

SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris

John 6:56-69
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many of his disciples who heard this said, “This message is harsh. Who can hear it?”

Jesus knew that the disciples were grumbling about this and he said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you were to see the Human One going up where he was before? The Spirit is the one who gives life and the flesh doesn’t help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Yet some of you don’t believe.”Jesus knew from the beginning who wouldn’t believe and the one who would betray him. He said, “For this reason I said to you that none can come to me unless the Father enables them to do so.” At this, many of his disciples turned away and no longer accompanied him.

Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are God’s holy one.”
Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Daniel

A Life Built on Prayer

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: As we pause to respond to God’s grace in our lives, and music is offered to God’s praise and glory, let us consider how God has blessed us. If you have not yet done so, please complete your “Connections” card prayer requests now. Let us pray:

ALL: O God, merciful and gracious, we thank you for the blessings in our lives (pause for silent gratitudes). Receive this offering of music to your honor and glory, and the gratitudes of our heart for your daily blessings. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY MUSIC
The Worship Team

“You Say”
~ Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, and Jason Ingram

*WE ARE AN OFFERING
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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at #895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”

SENDING FOR SERVICE

WORSHIP IN SONG/POSTLUDE & CLOSING MUSIC
The Worship Team

“All Things Are Possible”
~ Darlene Zschech

BENEDICTION
Pastor Daniel

We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:

Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: 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.

*Please stand as you are able.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Blessing of the Backpacks

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Faith”
~ Felix Mendelssohn

“Praeludium und Fuge e-moll”
~ Nicolaus Bruhns

PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: Lord God, in your son, Jesus, you make us one people from many nations and places. We give you thanks for the variety, diversity, and expressive ways faith is known, shared, and displayed. Help us to respect all the ways people live their faith. Help us to live our own faith with integrity and authenticity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*HYMN

“I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” — UMH 60

GREETING & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel F. Diss

TIME FOR 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 together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.

As the children exit to Sunday school, they will be sent with the instrumental: “Where Children Belong” TFWS 2233.

LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD

SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes
Ephesians 5:15-20
So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead, be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

CHORAL ANTHEM
Cascabels Bell Choir, Ruthanne Martinez, director
Karen Eshoff, clarinet

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
~ arr. Bruce Greer

SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes

John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Then the Jews debated among themselves, asking, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Human One and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Daniel

The Household of God

*HYMN

“The Lily of the Valley” ~ TFWS 2062

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: As we pause to respond to God’s grace in our lives, and music is offered to God’s praise and glory, let us consider how God has blessed us. As we prepare, let us pray:

ALL: Holy God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor you with our whole lives; and remembering the account we will be asked to one day give, help us to be faithful stewards of the blessings and bounty you provide; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As music is offered to God’s honor and glory, and the offering basins are passed, let us consider again the examples of faithfulness men have offered us. If you have not yet completed your “Connections” cards, now is the time to do so. Let us pray.
(The pastor will lead the congregation in prayer before the music is offered.)

OFFERTORY MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Canzonetta”
~ J. Frank Frysinger

*DOXOLOGY

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

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
People: 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.

At the end of the time of sharing, we’ll be called to prayer with the instrumental: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” TFWS 2193

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at #895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: … as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer, UMH #895

*HYMN

“Now Thank We All Our God” ~ UMH 102

SENDING FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Pastor Daniel

We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

POSTLUDE
Cascabels Bell Choir, Ruthanne Martinez, director

“New Day Fanfare”
~ Sandra Eithun

• Please stand as you are able.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR GATHERING AND CENTERING
Allow the music being offered to help you find your center, to acknowledge God’s presence, and to allow yourself time and space to open your mind and heart to the Spirit of God moving among us this day.

OPENING MUSIC
Ren Geisick, Director
The Worship Team

“Come Now Is The Time To Worship”
~ Brian Doerksen

WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team

“For Everyone Born (A Place at the Table)”
~ Shirley Erena Murray

INVITATION TO WORSHIP

OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel

TIME FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Please note that Sunday School will not be occurring today. Children will remain with their parents in church. Classes will resume next week, August 18, which will also be our Back-to-School and Blessing of the Backpacks service.

LISTENING FOR THE WORD

SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris

Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor because we are parts of each other in the same body. Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need.

Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.

Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.

Reader: This is 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

SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris

John 6:35, 41-51
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

The Jewish opposition grumbled about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

They asked, “Isn’t this Jesus, Joseph’s son, whose mother and father we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

Jesus responded, “Don’t grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless they are drawn to me by the Father who sent me, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to the Father and learned from him comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father. I assure you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that whoever eats from it will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Daniel

Put Aside…and Be

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: As we pause to respond to God’s grace in our lives, and music is offered to God’s praise and glory, let us consider how God has blessed us. If you have not yet done so, please complete your “Connections” card prayer requests now. Let us pray:

ALL: O God, merciful and gracious, we thank you for the blessings in our lives (pause for silent gratitudes). Receive the offering of music to your honor and glory, and the gratitudes of our heart for your daily blessings. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY MUSIC
The Worship Team

“How Great Is Our God”
~ Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves

*WE ARE AN OFFERING
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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at #895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”

SENDING FOR SERVICE

WORSHIP IN SONG/POSTLUDE & CLOSING MUSIC
The Worship Team

“Deep (Way Down)”
~Steve Smallman, Allan Hall, Nicol Smith, and Todd Smith

BENEDICTION
Pastor Daniel

We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:

Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: 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.

*Please stand as you are able.