24th Sunday After
Pentecost
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and FUNNY STORY Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS Pastor Bob
(Psalm 78, 1 Thessalonians 4)
Hope, Holy hope. Who guided you to God’s rumbling wellspring?
Who needs you to point the way to God?
CALL TO WORSHIP
(1 Thessalonians 4) Sharon Stewart
In scripture, we are given this promise – that we will be with the Lord forever. When things are going well and we are joyful, the Lord is with us. When things are going poorly and we are filled with stress or worry, the Lord is with us. Throughout our time on this earth, the Lord is with us, and when we leave this world to find our eternal home, the Lord is with us.
We come to worship to be reminded of this promise, that we are accompanied, always. Let us worship God together.
HYMN: Blessed Assurance
UMC Hymnal #369
OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
(Matthew 25) Sharon Stewart
Awaken our minds, O God, that we might set aside distractions and competing thoughts. Awaken our hearts, O God, that we might sense your presence with us. Send your Holy Spirit to awaken our spirits, as we sing your praise and draw near to you in prayer. Wake us up, O God, in this time of worship. Amen.
EPISTLE READING Ephesians 4: 1-6
Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PREPARATION TO PRAYER
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2193
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
We Attend to the Word
HYMN: Spirit Song
UMC Hymnal #347
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 25: 1-13
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
Seizing the Moments…
Are You Ready?
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)
(Matthew 25: 14) Pastor Bob
All that we have belongs to you, O God. We return but a portion of all that you have given us, to do your good work in the world. This day, we choose to serve you: with our time, with our talents, and with our treasure. Amen.
HYMN:
I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2153
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION (Matthew 25: 13)
Pastor Bob
Stay awake to what God might be trying to teach you. Keep alert to what God might be trying to show you. Be attentive to God’s presence with you, throughout this day and this week.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of God and the encouragement of 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