Third Sunday after Pentecost
Choir Appreciation Sunday
Graduate and Scholarship Recognition Sunday
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Partita When in Our Music God is Glorified”
– tune – ” Engelberg”
I. Intrada
II. Chorale
III. Recit en traille
~ William H. Bates
CHORAL INTROIT
David Herberg, Director
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, piano
“How Can I Keep from Singing?”
~ Gwyneth Walker
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: When in our music,
ALL: God is glorified.
Leader: When tune and text leave no room for pride,
ALL: God is glorified.
Leader: When through song and praise our hearts are attuned with God’s,
ALL: God is glorified. Alleluia!!
*HYMN
“Lord of the Dance”
~ UHM 261
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
Maggie Harris
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke. We also have faith, and so we also speak. We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and he will bring us into his presence along with you. All these things are for your benefit. As grace increases to benefit more and more people, it will cause gratitude to increase, which results in God’s glory.
So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.
We know that if the tent that we live in on earth is torn down, we have a building from God. It’s a house that isn’t handmade, which is eternal and located in heaven.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“As the Deer Longs for the Waterbrooks”
~ Peter Pindar Stearns
SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris
Mark 3:20-35
Jesus entered a house. A crowd gathered again so that it was impossible for him and his followers even to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they came to take control of him. They were saying, “He’s out of his mind!”
The legal experts came down from Jerusalem. Over and over they charged, “He’s possessed by Beelzebul. He throws out demons with the authority of the ruler of demons.”
When Jesus called them together he spoke to them in a parable: “How can Satan throw Satan out? A kingdom involved in civil war will collapse. And a house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, then he can’t endure. He’s done for. No one gets into the house of a strong person and steals anything without first tying up the strong person. Only then can the house be burglarized. I assure you that human beings will be forgiven for everything, for all sins and insults of every kind. But whoever insults the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. That person is guilty of a sin with consequences that last forever.” He said this because the legal experts were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”
His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him. A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, “Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you.”
He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
A Long and Winding Road
*HYMN
“Faith While Trees are Still in Blossom”
~ UMH 508
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
RECOGNITION OF CHANCEL CHOIR
We will pause at this time in the service to express our gratitude to the chancel choir and the whole traditional music team.
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: As the offering basins are passed, and you make an offering of financial gifts and offering of prayer requests (Please complete the “Connections” cards now, if you haven’t yet done so.) along with the gift of music, consider again how God has blessed you, made a place for you, and invites you to make a place for others.
Our time is fleeting upon this earth. The possessions of this life will not follow us to the next. We are simply the stewards of God’s many gifts entrusted to our care for a short time. As stewards seeking to be faithful, let us pray:
ALL: Loving Creator, before the foundations of creation were laid, you alone were God. From such a mighty place, you created all there is, seen and unseen, called it good, and gave humankind dominion over it. You charged us to be faithful stewards. Receive what we give back to you this day that it may bring you honor and glory as it helps proclaim your name; in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, piano
“You Are My All in All”
~ Dennis Jernigan
*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.
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES & PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS
At the end of the sharing of the Peace of Christ, representatives of the Scholarship Team and those graduates present are invited to come forward, joining Pastor Daniel on the platform.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sharing Known Joys & Concerns
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: … as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer, UMH #895
*HYMN
“My Hope is Built”
~ UMH 368
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.
CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Here I Am, Lord”
~ Dan Schutte
MUSIC TO INSPIRE THE JOURNEY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Postlude”
~ C. Ad. Thomas
- Please stand as you are able.