June 28, 2020
June 21, 2020 “Telling Stories and Hard Conversations”
Prelude “Our God” (Micah Stampley) Words of Welcome Today, let us continue to explore the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “Woke Up This Morning with My Mind Stayed on Jesus“ (Tamesha Pruett) Call to Worship (from Luke 4:18-19) Leader: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. People: He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, To release the oppressed, To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” These words, in the mouth and actions of Jesus, turned the world upside down. What world-turning news do you have for us these days? What impossible-seeming things will you make happen? ALL: Holy Spirit, come. Show us the Way. Song “We Are Called”by David Haas Opening to the Spirit’s Instruction Scripture Readings Ephesians 2:11-22 Liturgist So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands — 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spirituallyinto a dwelling place for God. May God’s Spirit speak to us today through these words of Scripture and the message shared this day. Song “God of Justice” by Tim Hughes Sermon “Telling Stories and Having Hard Conversations” Pastor Craig, Anthony Peterson Tony’s TEDx Antioch Talk can be found on YouTube at <https://youtu.be/u5GCetbP7Fg>. Confession Congregational Confession Liturgist: Let us open our hearts and speak these truths to the One in whom we live, move, and have our being: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have found it difficult and uncomfortable to talk about race and racism in our communities, so we have avoided being challenged by having the hard conversation. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have divided ourselves according to arbitrary categories, and failed to see the full humanity of all persons, especially those with whom we disagree the most, and those whose skin color, language, or religion differs from ours. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Moment of reflection Pardon and Freeing from Bondage (from Psalm 103:8,10-12) Liturgist: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. All: Free us, O Lord, from the ways of tyranny, power over others, and the use of others for our own personal ends. Speak to our hearts each day, that we may adopt the Ways of Jesus. Amen. Song “Amazing Grace” Soweto Gospel Choir Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our
June 14. 2020
“Finding the Gift in These Times” Prelude “Here in This Place” (Christopher Grundy) Words of Welcome Today, let us continue to explore the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord”(Simon Khorolskiy) Psalm Meditation Psalm 100 Congregation reads bold print Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. People: Worship the Lord with gladness; All: come into his presence with singing. L:Know that the Lord is God. P: It is God that made us, and we are God’s; ALL: we are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture. L: Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, P: and God’s courts with praise; ALL: Give thanks to the LORD, bless God’s name. L: For the Lord is good; P: God’s steadfast love endures forever ALL: and God’s faithfulness to all generations. Song “Psalm 100” Avon Grove HS Virtual Choir First Scripture Romans 5:1-8 Song “Schimba-mi inima (Change My Heart, O God)“ Xara Voca Second Scripture Reading Matthew 9:35-10:23 (NRSV) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” The Twelve Apostles Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. The Mission of the Twelve These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Coming Persecutions “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Sermon “Finding the Gift in These Times” Pastor Craig Song “Prayer of St. Francis” Sarah McLachlan and Choir Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the
June 7, 2020 Trinity Sunday
“Immersed in the Power” Prelude “Breathe On Me, Breath of God” Words of Welcome Today, let us continue to explore the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “Holy, Holy, Holy” Psalm Meditation Psalm 8 Congregation reads bold print Leader: O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! People: You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. ALL: O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Song “How Majestic Is Your Name” First Scripture Genesis 1:1-2:4a Song “Mystery“ Second Scripture Reading Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Sermon “Immersed in the Power” Pastor Craig Song “How Can I Keep from Singing?” Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the name of the One who showed us what Love looks like in the flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, and we now join our voices in the prayer he taught us, saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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 Prayer Response “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Blessing 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (adapted) Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.Greet one another with holy letters, cards, phone calls, email messages. All the saints greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Closing It lives in the seed of a tree as it grows You can hear it, if you listen, to the wind as it blows It’s there in a river as it flows into the sea It’s the sound in the soul of a man becoming free And it lives in the laughter of children at play And in the blazing sun that gives light to the day It moves the planets and the stars in the sky It’s been the mover of mountains since the beginning of time O Mystery You are Alive I feel you all around You are the fire in my heart You are the holy sound You are all of life It is to you that I sing Grant that I may feel you Always, in everything And it lives in the waves as they crash upon the beach I have seen it in the gods that men have tried to reach I feel it in the love that I know we need so much I know it in your smile, my love, when our hearts do touch But when I listen deep inside, I
Pentecost May 31, 2020
Sunday, May 31st, is Pentecost Sunday. The Cabinet of the Greater Northwest Area has invited several churches across the Greater Northwest to offer virtual worship and we are invited to join them online. With at least one church from each district, the chosen hosts include a variety of worship styles from faith communities serving diverse communities. On this day, when we remember the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples gathered “all together in one place,” it is fitting for local churches to gather together. In the season of COVID-19, it is fitting for the “gathering” to take place virtually. The miracle will be that the people will hear and understand each other, even though separated by great distances. Joining with another church for Pentecost will offer respite for many pastors who have stretched to lead worship virtually for many weeks at the same time they have tended to the needs of congregations and community members during this extraordinary time of uncertainty and anxiety. And it can be a powerful experience of the power of the Holy Spirit to evoke community among people who do not know each other – yet. Worship leaders in the following local churches offer their hospitality as a gift to their colleagues and to the members of other Greater Northwest Area local churches. Below you can find a list of these locations, their worship information including times and URLs for members of other local churches to join them. Each one is but a click away. Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky and Pastor Craig Pesti-Strobel Alaska Conference Homer United Methodist Church Worship Instructions: This Pentecost, join us as we explore how Church Is Dangerous. Worship with us on Facebook Sundays @ 11:00 AM AST https://www.facebook.com/HomerUnitedMethodistChurchAlaska/ Oregon-Idaho Conference Cascadia District Open Door Churches (Salem/Keizer area)Worship Instructions: Sunday mornings at 10 AM PDT all are invited to join us via our Open Door Churches Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorchurches) or our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLpQDtNqJf4rktDOZFqSJw). Columbia District Portland First United Methodist Church On Pentecost, May 31, Rev. Josh Kingsley will preach on “God’s Fire in Our World”.Worship Instructions: Worship is live-streamed every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM PST and can be found on our YouTube channel by going to www.fumcpdx.org/livestream. You can download the bulletin by Friday, May 29, for a more interactive experience (https://fumcpdx.org/event/sanctuary-service/2020-05-31/). For more information contact the church office, 503-228-3195. Crater Lake District Wesley United Methodist ChurchWorship Instructions: Join others as we watch the service together. We’ll be doing a Facebook Premiere, so we can all watch the service together at 10 AM PST on May 31. https://www.facebook.com/wesleyumceugene/ Sage District Joseph United Methodist Church Worship Instructions: The Bell is ringing! It’s time for worship. Get something to eat and drink, and light a candle as we break bread and worship together. Click on the YouTube playlist for this week (pre-recorded) and let’s worship together at any time! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCouY8sBXA_l8EhiXYeFE3ZA/playlists
May 24, 2020
Redeemed from the System’s Grip Words of Welcome Today, let us continue to explore the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Psalm Meditation Congregation reads bold print Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Let God rise up, let all enemies be scattered; let those who hate God flee before God.As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let wickedness perish before God.But let those who choose righteous paths be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to God’s name; lift up a song to the one who rides upon the clouds—whose name is the Lord— be exultant before him. Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in the holy habitation.God gives the desolate a home to live in; God leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land. O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished;your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord,O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, God sends out God’s voice, that mighty voice.Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.Awesome is God in the sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. ALL: Blessed be God! Song “10,000 Reasons” (Celtic Worship) First Scripture 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 First Reflection “Fiery Ordeals” Pastor Craig Song “Once to Every Man and Nation” Second Scripture Reading John 17:1-11 (NRSV) After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. Second Reflection “Saved from the System’s Grip” Pastor Craig Song “Siyahamba/We Are Marching in the Light of God” Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the name of the One who showed us what Love looks like in the flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, and we now join our voices in the prayer he taught us, saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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 Prayer Response “O Lord, Hear My Prayer” Blessing Closing
May 17th, 2020 Practicing the Presence in the Midst of Absence
Practicing the Presence in the Midst of Absence Words of Welcome Today, let us continue to lay this foundation stone of Truth in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “When Morning Gilds the Skies” Laying the Foundation Acts 17:22-31 Moment for Formation “Being in the Moment” Pastor Craig Psalm Meditation Psalm 66:8–20 (The Message) Read bold print Bless our God, O peoples! Give God a thunderous welcome!Didn’t God set us on the road to life? Didn’t God keep us out of the ditch?God trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires,Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit,Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back;Finally God brought us to this well-watered place. I’m bringing my prizes and presents to your house, O Lord. I’m doing what I said I’d do,What I solemnly swore I’d do that day when I was in so much trouble:The choicest cuts of meat for the sacrificial meal;Even the fragrance of roasted lamb is like a meal!Or make it an ox garnished with goat meat! All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me.I called out to God with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music.If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened.But God most surely did listen, God came on the double when I lifted my prayer.Blessed be God who didn’t turn a deaf ear, God stayed with me, loyal in divine love. Song “Blessed Be Your Name” Scripture Reading John 14:15-21 (NRSV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Sermon “Being-With” Pastor Craig Song “O God of Every Nation” Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the name of the One who showed us what Love looks like in the flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, and we now join our voices in the prayer he taught us, saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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 Prayer Response “Leaning In” (by Christopher Grundy) Blessing “The Road Ahead” by Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes Found on Unfolding Light www.unfoldinglight.net Closing Song “Siyahamba/We Are Marching in the Light of God” Closing
Online Worship May 10, 2020 “Truth is the Foundation Stone”
Words of WelcomeToday, let us continue to lay this foundation stone in our lives and in our families, as we come to God in worship. Opening Song “Come to Me” (Christopher Grundy) Laying the Foundation 1 Peter 2:2-10 (NRSV) Silence and Centering Prayer Psalm Meditation Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 Read bold print In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.My times are in your hand;deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;save me in your steadfast love Moment for Formation Pastor Craig Song “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” Scripture Reading John 14:1-7 (NRSV) Sermon “Truth is the Foundation Stone” Pastor Craig Song “What Does the Lord Require of You?” (Strathdee) Prayers for Our World and One Another Prayer Response “Leaning In” (by Christopher Grundy) Offering Closing Song “Happy the Home When God Is There” Blessing May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord unbind you and set you free. May the Lord shine light upon your path, And illuminate the Way of Christ before you. Amen. Amen. Closing
Online Worship May 3, 2020
Words of Welcome 1 Peter 2:19-25 Opening Song “Here in This Place” (Christopher Grundy) Silence and Centering Prayer Psalm Meditation (from Psalm 23, compiled by Carolyn Willey) Read bold print The Lord is my Shepherd.The Lord is my constant companion.I shall not want.There is no need He cannot fulfill.He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His Name’s sake.Whether my course points to the mountaintops of glorious ecstasy or to the valleys of human suffering, God is by my side. God is ever present with me.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and staff, they comfort me.God is close beside me when I tread the dark streets of danger, and even when I flirt with death itself, God will not leave me. When the pain is severe, God is near to comfort.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows.When the burden is heavy God is there to lean upon. When depression darkens my soul, God touches me with eternal joy. When I feel empty and alone, God fills the aching vacuum with His power.Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long (and forever).My security is in God’s promise to be near to me always, And in the knowledge that God will never let me go. Moment for Formation Pastor Craig Song “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” Scripture Reading John 10:1-10 (NRSV) Sermon “Don’t Listen to Thieves and Bandits” Pastor Craig Song “Be Thou My Vision” Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the name of the One who showed us what Love looks like in the flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, and we now join our voices in the prayer he taught us, saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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 Prayer Response “Leaning In” (by Christopher Grundy) Blessing May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord unbind you and set you free. May the Lord shine light upon your path, And illuminate the Way of Christ before you. Amen. Closing Pdf of today’s worship service: https://umcgrove.org/worship/5-3-20-online-wo…ite-version-cgjc/ Pdf of today’s sermon: 5-3-20 Don’t Listen to Thieves and Bandits
Online Worship
Welcome to Worship! You may follow along using the order of worship that is pasted below OR print out the PDF attachment at the bottom of the page. Thank you for joining us! “Ransomed from Futility” Words of Welcome Opening Song “God of Wonders” Silence and Centering Prayer Psalm Meditation (from Psalm 116) Read bold print Leader: I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, People: therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, save my life!” What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your servants. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. All: Praise the Lord! Shared Witness to God’s Grace Song “Oh, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” Scripture Reading 1 Peter 1:17-23 Sermon “Ransomed from Futility” Pastor Craig Song “Create in Me” Prayers for Our World and One Another Let us enter now into a time of prayer for one another and for our world. We will do what is called a Bidding Prayer. I will open, and then I will bid your prayers based around various categories. During the silence after each category is bid, I invite you to add your own prayers, either aloud or in silence. I will then close with a prayer, then the Lord’s Prayer. Let us be in prayer. *** Let us pray now for all who are ill, in hospital or at home, especially those affected by cancer or COVID-19. *** Let us pray now for all medical and emergency services personnel who are responding to the best of their abilities with the resources that they have at hand. *** Let us pray now for all those who are hungry or food insecure, and for all community and religious efforts to provide food and shelter. *** Let us pray for the leaders of nations around the world, not only regarding their response to this pandemic, but also that they may do everything possible to assure the health and welfare of their citizens. *** Let us pray for our friends, family, and neighbors for their health and well-being. *** Let us also express our thanks to God for the expressions of love and caring that we have witnessed in our families, communities, and world. *** Let us express our gratitude for life and the myriad things that gladden our hearts. *** These prayers, spoken aloud or in silence, we lift into the universal embrace of the One who is Love, and we make them in the name of the One who showed us what Love looks like in the flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, and we now join our voices in the prayer he taught us, saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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 Prayer Response “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” Blessing May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord unbind you and set you free. May the Lord shine light upon your path, And illuminate the Way of Christ before you. Amen. Closing