Worship Service – August 23, 2020

10:15 Facebook Live Stream Worship Sunday

Prelude/ Lighting of the Candles

Opening Prayer: Maker of heaven and earth, we come from different places with our own place on the journey. Some of us have succeeded and found favor. Some of us have failed and seek reassurance. Some of us feel trapped and helpless. Some of us have escaped peril and feel great relief. But no matter what our experience has been, we come here today to meet you in worship. Remind us of your power and mercy. Replenish our courage and vision. Renew our identity as your people. Reinvigorate our holy work in this world, for our help is in your name alone, Holy God, maker of heaven and earth. Amen.

Passing of the Peace: (L)The Peace of Christ be with you
(P) And Also with you.

Opening Songs: Lord I Lift Your Name on High & How Great is Our God

CALL TO CONFESSION
1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Come now to confess all that separates you from others and from God.

Prayer of Confession: God of mercy and grace, it is hard to hold onto hope. We see people handed over as food for the enemies’ teeth, or as prey for the hunters’ traps. Sometimes we are the food and the prey. Sometimes we are the enemy and the hunter. Sometimes we are merely bystanders, too afraid or powerless to act as we should. Forgive us, O God, when we accept things as they are. Maker of heaven and earth, giver of hope, savior of the distressed, fill our imaginations and our hearts with your splendid
vision for our world. Transform and renew our minds, that we may discern what is good and pleasing to you in this world you love so deeply. Amen.

Words of Assurance: Jesus promised that the gates of the underworld would not be able to stand against the Church. Each of us is part of this Church, this body of Christ. Each of us has unique gifts and our own unique calling. Know that through God’s mercies, you are forgiven. Know that God will bless you with new imaginings, new thoughts, new hopes, and new courage, that we too may stand against the gates of the underworld.

Hymn of Illumination “Spirit Song” (1st Verse only) UMH #347

Children’s Chat

Offertory call (Liturgist, please call ushers forward at this time)
Remember the words Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Offertory Music Charles Smith
Offering (Click on link to give online)
Doxology
Offertory Prayer: O God, maker of heaven and earth, you are our help in the midst of need and danger. Bless our gifts this day, that we may find their way to those who feel hopeless and without resource. May our gifts be a sign of your hope and love, and may the people we help find their way to safety. Amen.

Special Song Pastor Ed

Scripture Reading: Luke 8:43-48
L: This is the word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.

Song of Response As the Deer The Faith We Sing

Message: Guest Speaker: John Edru Granadosin

Pastoral Prayer

Announcements

Closing Hymn God Will Take Care of You (3 verses only) UMH #130

Benediction

Postlude