Worship Service February 02, 2025

Order of Service

Gathering-Lighting the Candles with Light of Christ           Joyceline Huennekens                          

This is My Father’s World arr. Marilyn Reimer

Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction                         Rev. Cindy Lunsford /All

Call to Worship                                                                    Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All

Jesus calls us to rise up and follow him.

                 Though the path be rough and the way be fraught with danger,

   we will follow the Master.
Jesus says we are to speak the Truth, and the Truth will set us free.

   Following the example of Jesus, we will not compromise the Truth

to please the crowd.
We come to worship and sing praises to Jesus,

   the source of all Truth and Life.  Amen

~ (written by H.Burnham Kirkland, Lectionary Worship Aids Cycle C, Series VI, p.45)

Response to the Call                  How Firm a Foundation                            UMH 529

 Opening Prayer of Confession                            Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All                                                           

Ah, Lord God, we do not know how to speak words of hope,

    because we listen to the purveyors of fear.  

We do not know how to be loving because our role models are

    ridicule and anger.  

We do not know how to be faithful to you, because at an early age,

    we learned to trust the promises of all the false prophets

    who entice us with their simple thoughts.
But you know how to forgive, God of kindness,

    so we pray you would pour out your mercy upon us.  

May faith abide in us, so we may serve others even as you have served us;

    may hope abide in us, so we may surround the broken

       with your compassion and grace;

    may love abide in us, not only in these moments of brokenness,

       but in every moment of our life with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,

           who abides in us.  Amen

Personal Silent Confession Moment

Assurance of Forgiveness                                                      Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All

    The good news is that, in our God, we find that safe place for our lives.  

        In God’s forgiveness, we are offered the healing we need.
    In God’s acceptance, we discover the love in which we may abide

        in every moment of our lives.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Life of the Church                                                 Rev. Cindy Lunsford (see bulletin)

Mission Moment –

Psalm                                      Psalm 71:1-6  (UMH 794)                         Gina Elrod

Hymn                                     This is My Father’s World                              UMH 144    

OFFERING OF OURSELVES

Pastoral Prayer                                                                      Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All    

Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings              Joyceline Huennekens, instrumental

              Dedication & Offertory                                              Rev. Warren Lunsford

             Doxology                                                                                   UMH 095 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen

Centering Song                    Red Letters by David Crowder                    Anna Bradley

PROCLAMATION

Prayer of Illumination                                                                                Gary Seiler

Eternal God, your Spirit inspired those who wrote the Bible

    and enlightens us to hear your Word fresh each day.
Help us to rely always on your promises in Scripture.
    In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Scripture                                    Luke 4:21-30                              Rev. Warren Lunsford

Message                                          Today!                                    Rev. Warren Lunsford

WORSHIP AT THE TABLE

Great Thanksgiving & Communion UMH 9-10 (Insert)    Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All

Prayer After Communion:

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery

     in which you have given yourself to us.

Grant that we may go into the world

     in the strength of your Spirit,

        to give ourselves for others,

 in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  AMEN

GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST

Closing Hymn                                Here I Am Lord                                        UMH 593

Commissioning & Benediction                                                  Rev. Warren Lunsford

Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God