3rd Sunday After
Epiphany
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUNNY STORY
CALL TO WORSHIP
What if God didn’t give us a second chance? Or a third, fourth, or even a fifth chance to get it right? What if we only had ONE shot, and that was it?
Our worship today is about second chances.
Most of you are probably familiar with the book of Jonah, where Jonah avoids God’s call to Nineveh to encourage people to repent and Jonah winds up in the belly of a whale. Many of us are less familiar with the next part of Jonah’s story, where God gives him a second chance to do what he is being called to do.
Our God is a God of second chances. A God of grace who wants us to get it right and gives us the courage and encouragement to do so.
Let’s worship God together!
HYMN:
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
#348 UMC Hymnal
OPENING PRAYER (unison)
Heidi Prior-Liturgist
Thank you, God, for giving us a second chance, over and over again, to serve you, to trust you, to follow you. We offer this time of worship to you, and pray that it would be pleasing in your sight.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Jonah 3: 1-5, 10
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER RESPONSE
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
#204 UMC Hymnal
HYMN: Change My Heart, O God
#2152 The Faith We Sing Hymnal
GOSPEL LESSON Mark1: 14-20
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
Follow Me…I am a God of
Second Chances
OFFERTORY Sacred Dance
Amazing Grace by Michael Crawford
from “On Eagles Wings” album
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING (unison)
You call us to follow you, O Lord, and have set an example of generosity and compassion. We ask that you bless this offering – our tithes and gifts – that they might help us reach out, in your name, and share the good news of Jesus. Amen.
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
HYMN: The Summons
#2130 The Faith We Sing Hymnal
BENEDICTION
Remember, God gives you and me a second chance, to be the man or woman that God desires for us to be. Over and over again, God gives us another chance, another opportunity, to be faithful, to be kind, to be compassionate, and to follow our call, no matter how challenging or overwhelming it may seem.
May the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the nurturing of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
DEPART IN PEACE...Shalom!
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Shalom to You UMC Hymnal #666