Worship Service – February 7, 2021
10:15am In-person & Facebook Live Stream
Opening Prayer: Holy One, with our ancestors and all the people of God, we gather to sing your praises. You are the one who has created the cosmos and the ants. You give food to whales and sparrows, name the stars, and count the hairs on our heads. Compassionate One, we offer you our thanksgiving for your many blessings. Powerful One, inspire us this day: to turn our praise into action, to share your good news with those who long to hear a word of hope, to proclaim your message of peace and justice throughout the world. Praise to you! Amen.
Passing of the Peace: (L)The Peace of Christ be with you
(P) And Also with you.
Hymn: Praise to the Lord the Almighty UMH #139
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. So, let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and pray together.
Prayer of Confession: God of Strength, we confess our doubt. We are weary, but we turn to caffeine instead of waiting to be carried effortlessly on your eagle’s wings. Forgive us, we pray. (silence) God of Justice, we confess our lack of trust. We are outraged and angry, but we turn to name-calling, tweeting, and demonizing others instead of waiting for you to lift us up from the pit. Forgive us, we pray. (silence) God of Grace, we confess our reticence. We praise you with enthusiasm on Sunday, but then we turn to safe clichés about separating religion and politics when we could be proclaiming the message of your limitless love. Forgive us, we pray. (silence)
Words of Assurance: Hear God’s promise to all: “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Know that God’s promise of grace and forgiveness is free of charge!
Hymn of Illumination Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus (1st Verse only) UMH# 349
Children’s Chat
Offertory call
Remember the words Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Offertory Music Sue Keasler
Offering
Doxology
Offertory Prayer: God, you have created the universe. Everything we see has come into being because of you. Your glory is beyond our comprehension. Yet, you give us the most precious gift imaginable: your everlasting love and faithfulness. With great joy we now offer our own gifts— puny in comparison, but given with grateful hearts that belong to you, now and always. We are thankful for the opportunity to put these gifts to work proclaiming your gospel of love. Amen.
Special Song
The Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 L: This is the word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
Song of Response Thy Word is a Lamp UMH# 601
Message Service? Or Service! by Pastor Ed
The Great Thanksgiving/Holy Communion
Announcements
Closing Hymn Jesus is all the World to Me (3 stanzas only) UMH #469
Benediction
Postlude