Worship Service September 8, 2024
Order of Service
Call to Worship Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Come and worship!
We will praise the One between, within, and over.
Trust in the One who co-creates the was, the now, and the will-be.
Our hope is in the One who creates expansive love
calling us to do the same.
Follow the One who never breaks covenant.
We follow the One whose extravagant love calls us
to co-create justice for the oppressed,
feed the hungry, unlock prisons,
and welcome strangers, orphans, and widows.
Praise the One whose justice is grace-full and inclusive.
We praise the Spirit that spans the ages. Amen!
~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on LiturgyBits.
Response to the Call O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing UMH 057
Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction Rev. Warren Lunsford /All
Life of the Church Rev. Warren Lunsford (see bulletin)
Mission Moment
Opening Prayer Rev. Warren Lunsford
Hymn of Praise He Touched Me UMH 367
Affirmation of Faith The World Methodist Social Affirmation Pam Williams/All
UMH 886-887
We believe in God, creator of the world and of all people;
and in Jesus Christ, incarnate among us,
who died and rose again;
and in the Holy Spirit,
present with us to guide, strengthen, and comfort.
We believe ;
God, help our unbelief.We rejoice in every sign of God’s Kingdom;
in the upholding of human dignity and community;
in every expression of love, justice and reconciliation;
in each act of self-giving on behalf of others;
in the abundance of God’s gifts
entrusted to us that all may have enough;
in all responsible use of the earth’s resources.
Glory be to God on high;
and on earth, be peace .
We confess our sin, individual and collective,
by silence or action:
through the violation of human dignity
based on race, class, age, sex, nation, or faith;
through the exploitation of people
because of greed and indifference
through the misuse of power
in personal, communal, national, and international life;
through the search for security
by those military and economic forces
that threaten human existence;
through the abuse of technology
which endangers the earth and all life upon it.
Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy .
We commit ourselves individually and as a community
to the way of Christ:
to take up the cross;
to seek abundant life for all humanity;
to struggle for peace with justice and freedom;
to risk ourselves in faith, hope, and love,
praying that God’s kingdom may come.
The kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen .
Gloria Patri UMH 71
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: Strong (In honor of her mother Linda Phillips) Anna Bradley
PROCLAMATION
Prayer of Illumination Gary Seiler
Send your Spirit among us, O God,
as we meditate on your love.
Prepare our minds to hear your Word,
move our hearts to embrace what we hear,
and strengthen our will to follow your way.
This we pray through Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Psalm Reading Psalm146 UMH 858-859 Gina Elrod/All
Scripture Mark 7:24-37 Rev. Warren Lunsford
Message Helping the Helpless Rev. Warren Lunsford
GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST
Closing Hymn Have Thine Own Way, Lord! UMH 382
Commissioning & Benediction Rev. Warren Lunsford
Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God
