25th Sunday Following
Pentecost
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and Funny Story
Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS
(Psalm 123, I Thessalonians 5)
Pastor Bob
Rejoice in the Lord always.
God is worthy of our hearts’ delight.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 123)
Sharon Stewart (responsive reading)
Lift up your eyes, to behold our God, who is among us.
We lift up our hearts, to sense God’s presence and power with us.
Lift up your spirits and allow God to make a difference in your life.
Let us worship the Lord our God.
HYMN: Awake, O Sleeper
UMC Hymnal #551
CALL TO CONFESSION (Matthew 25)
Sharon Stewart
Scripture promises that if we confess our sin, God will forgive us, in the name of Jesus. Let us join our hearts, minds, and voices together in prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(Unison) Sharon Stewart
Gracious and loving God, we are your servants, entrusted with gifts and talents to use in the service of your kingdom. We confess our reluctance, O Lord, to give our time freely to you, when so many demands claim our attention. We confess our self-consciousness, O Lord, our fear of what others might think or say. And we confess our self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. Forgive us, O God, we pray, and nudge us toward using our gifts and talents in ways that would delight you and make a difference in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON Pastor Bob
God has created us. God understands us. God forgives us.
Hear the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
EPISTLE READING
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PREPARATION to PRAYER
I Love You Lord
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2068
PASTORAL PRAYER
We Attend to the Word
HYMN:
I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2153
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 25: 14-30
This is the Word of God for the People of God
Thanks be to God
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
Seizing the Moments…
Are You Ready?
We Gather at Christ's Table
INVITATION to the OFFERING
Pastor Bob
God loves a cheerful giver.
Give as you are called and as you are able.
OFFERTORY Erin Tellier
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMC Hymnal # 94
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING
(Unison) Pastor Bob
O gracious God, you have filled our lives with the protection of faith, the guidance of love, and the hope of a salvation without end. Take our lives, Holy One – our time, our talent, and our treasure – and use them to encourage the hopeless, to build up the broken, and to heal the wounded souls in our world. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMN: Let Us Be Bread
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2260
GREAT THANKSGIVING
HOLY COMMUNION...
Come to the Table Good & Faithful Servant
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
Lord's Prayer
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION (Matthew 25)
Pastor Bob
Look carefully at the talents with which God has entrusted you. The choice is yours: to use them for the glory of God’s kingdom, or to allow fear to bury your unique giftedness. Respond in faith and trust, hearing God’s affirmation to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Well done. May the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Let There Be Peace on Earth
UMC Hymnal #431
DEPART IN PEACE...SHALOM!
Worship Liturgy is taken from two sources:
Lectionary Liturgies and the Abingdon Worship Annual 2023.