Worship
August 8, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“In Summer” ~ Charles A. Stebbins
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” – tune – “Beecher” ~ arr. Don Hustad
PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Adagietto” ~ Leon Dallin
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INSTRUMENTAL
“Come and Find the Quiet Center” ~ TFWS #2128
Variations on “Beach Spring” ~ arr. Austin C. Lovelace
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Bob Petrokas
L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P: And also with you.
L: Out of the depths we cry to you, O God.
P: Let your ears be attentive to the voice of our supplication.
L: Our souls wait for you, O Lord, more than those who watch for the morning.
P: Here, we find refuge and strength. Here, we find forgiveness and love.
L: Come, let us worship the One who hears our heart’s cry.
P: Let our worship be an offering.
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Bob Petrokas
Love Divine, we come to you eager to be refreshed by song, by word, by the presence of your Holy Spirit as we gather as a reconciling community of faith. Come to us, we pray, not only to comfort, but also to challenge – to move us toward your purposes that we might abide in your love and live as imitators of Christ. Amen.
*HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” ~ UMH #384
TIME FOR CHILDREN
Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Bob Petrokas
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Petrokas
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
L: Let us confess the ways we have missed the mark and fallen short of God’s best for our lives.
P: In hard times, guide us, O God. When feelings flare among family, friends, or strangers, cause us to pause, to breathe, and to wait upon you. In our anguish, we speak words that are destructive and hurtful. In our pain, we nurture anger and resentment, shutting ourselves off from paths of healing and wholeness. Let all malice and bitterness give way to that which edifies and builds up. Dry our tears, Compassionate One, and lead us anew in ways of mercy, kindness, and love. Amen.
L: Friends, the steadfast love of God never fails to forgive and make us whole. Hear the Good News: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
L: Let us affirm our faith as one.
P: We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRAYER CARDS COLLECTED
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” ~ UMH #474
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Petrokas
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
Live in Love
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Bob Petrokas
Bountiful God, in gratitude and thanks for your many blessings, receive the gifts we bring this day, that they may be for the world signs of your steadfast love and the fullness of your grace. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Vivace” ~ Joseph Haydn
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH 95
*HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Take My Life” ~ UMH #399
THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS FOR MINISTRY
*BENEDICTION
Rev. Jeffrey D. Hall
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Fugue in C Major” ~ Dietrich Buxtehude
* Stand as you are able