February 7, 2021
“The day misspent,
the love misplaced,
has inside it
the seed of redemption.
Nothing is exempt
from resurrection.”
~ Kay Ryan
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“I take literally the statement in the Gospel of John that God loves the world. I believe that the world was created and approved by love, that it subsists, coheres, and endures by love, and that, insofar as it is redeemable, it can be redeemed only by love.”
~ Wendell Berry
“You cannot mend the chromosome, quell the earthquake, or stanch the flood. You cannot atone for the dead tyrants’ murders and you alone cannot stop living tyrants. As Martin Buber saw it, the world of ordinary days “affords” us that precise association with god that redeems both us and our speck of world. God entrusts and allots to everyone an area to redeem.
~ Annie Dillard
Announcements
Prayer Ministry
We have a wonderful team of folk here at LGUMC who would love to be praying for you or for those who are most on your heart. Send your prayer requests to l.e.stocking@comcast.net. If you could get your prayers to them by Sunday night, to be sent out on Monday, that would be great. However, they are at the ready to send out prayers at other times when there is a time sensitive request.
Matching Gifts
Thanks to those of you who have already responded to the generous offer of matching funds for up to $12,500 to close our budget gap for 2021. There is still time to donate before the February 10 deadline. Just write “gift” on the subject line of your check.
Prelude
Kevin McCullough
Call to Worship
Live in God’s love!
Let that love be poured out for all God’s people!
Bring hope and peace to all whom you meet.
We are called to be God’s witnesses.
Celebrate and rejoice.
Praise be to God who has called, healed, and given us a ministry of peace. AMEN.
Songs
Praise Band
“Redeemer”
“I Can Sing of Your Love Forever”
Time for Kids
Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director
Scripture Lesson
Ruth 4:1-12
Message
Pastor Kate Conolly
“Redemption”
Offering Prayer
God of grace and mercy, you are the source of the true healing that can make us whole. We remember this morning that Jesus’ ministry was deeply involved in both healing of people’s bodies and healing of relationships. As we take time now in worship to offer our gifts to you, we pray that they might be used to bring healing – of body, of spirit, of broken relationships – to people who are in desperate need. This we pray this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
Offertory
Praise Band
“Draw a Circle”
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebration of Holy Communion
Song
Praise Band
“Lean on Me”
Sending Forth
Being washed in the love of Christ, now go into this world with the healing love of God to be given generously in peace and hope. God’s peace will always be with those who live in God’s love. AMEN.
Postlude
Kevin McCullough