Worship Service November 3, 2024
Order of Service
Call to Worship Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Love God with all your heart;
not with lip service words, but with wholehearted energy.
Love God with all your soul;
not with a little corner of your soul, but with your whole being.
Love God with all your mind;
not with emotion only, but with your fullest capacity for understanding.
Love God with all your strength;
not with what is left over at the end of the day,
but with rested, morning vigor ready to sprint inot action.
Response to the Call Sing With All the Saints in Glory UMH 702
Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Life of the Church Rev. Warren Lunsford(see bulletin)
Mission Moment (prayer over winter coats collected)
Opening Prayer of Confession and Assurance Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Our lives are full of mistakes and errors – places where we follow self-generated idols instead of the One True God. We are not alone in these mistakes – all of those who have come before us also were plagued with temptation and sin. Let us come before God, just as generations of believers have done, and pray for God’s forgiveness and grace.
Beloved God,
who was known to our mothers and fathers,
and even to our spiritual forebears, have mercy on us.
We do not always love as you would have us love.
We do not always do as you would have us do.
In our stubbornness,
we turn from you when we should turn toward you.
Hold us, dear One –
comfort us when we mourn the passing of friends and family,
and help us to know that they are rejoicing in your presence.
We praise you for the grace you shower on us,
constantly forgiving our errors,
especially the ones that we don’t share with any but you.
Hear now the silent fears and worries of our hearts.
A time of silence
Friends, hear the good news! Though thousands upon thousands of our ancestors
did not follow God’s ways perfectly, we have hope in the one who did!
Jesus, a man of a particular people in a particular time, taught through his words and
deeds that God has already forgiven us.
Thus, we and all who have come before us are rightly known as saints
– the holy ones of God! Thanks be to God for God’s mercy, grace, and love! Amen! Written by Rev. Lucus Keppel
Hymn of Praise Give to the Winds Thy Fears UMH 129
OFFERING OF OURSELVES
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings Cynthia Black 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: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman Steve Hawkins
PROCLAMATION
Prayer of Illumination Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
speak your eternal Word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives;
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Psalm Psalm 146 UMH 858 Gina Elrod
Scripture Mark 12:28-34 Rev. Warren Lunsford
Message Blessings Given and Received Rev. Warren Lunsford
WORSHIP AT THE TABLE
Great Thanksgiving & Communion UMH 9-10 (Insert) Rev. Warren 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 God of the Ages UMH 698
Commissioning & Benediction Rev. Warren Lunsford
Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God